Safe winter driving with your trailer – whatever the weather
Whether it's snowing or icy roads have turned the streets into a skating rink, many of you still need to get on with work and get your trailer to where it needs to be.
To help ensure that you drive and brake safely with your trailer, AL-KO VT vehicle technology experts have put together tips to help you stay safe even in snow and icy conditions.
Why is driving with a trailer in winter dangerous?
Towing a combination is generally more demanding than driving a car without a trailer. In winter in particular, manoeuvring a towing combination requires even greater sensitivity than under "normal" conditions: because in tricky situations – for example, black ice – it's even harder to keep control of a heavy vehicle. That's why the most important point is to brake especially gently and keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front than you normally would.
Tip 1: Optimise towing stability
According to the Road Traffic Regulations, you are not required to fit your trailer with winter tyres, although we still recommend doing so. This way you'll benefit from a much safer and more comfortable driving experience.
To further stabilise your driving behaviour, you should retrofit with special coupling heads, such as the AKS 3004 or AKS 3504 from AL-KO VT.
Your advantage: When the stabilising handle is operated, four special friction pads are pressed against the car's towball from the left, right, rear and front. Swaying and pitching movements, which occur more frequently on icy roads, are effectively suppressed by the stabiliser coupling.
De-icer spray protects the coupling from freezing
Before the first frost arrives, you should treat your trailer's coupling with a de-icer spray. This way, the safety indicator – which signals correct hitching – remains free-moving and does not freeze up. If it has already frozen, the spray will help thaw the safety feature again. If your trailer is not in use, protect the coupling from moisture and ice. For example, the various air-permeable and water-repellent AL-KO VT weather protection covers offer optimal protection for the couplings.
Tip 2: Secure your load
The importance of properly securing your load increases significantly in adverse weather due to the more challenging braking conditions. There are a variety of safety options available, from nets and tarpaulins to what are known as lashing devices, such as tensioning straps, ropes or chains. As a general rule, all securing devices must always be in perfect condition. Please observe the relevant safety instructions in the user manual. We've summarised all important details on this aspect for you here.
Tip 3: Allow for a longer braking distance
If the road is covered in snow, the braking distance for a vehicle without a trailer can quadruple. For this reason, you should drive more slowly and with even greater care. You can also upgrade your trailer to optimise its braking characteristics. AL-KO VT Vehicle Technology has made a significant improvement to trailer braking performance with its patented AAA (AL-KO Automatic Adjustment) Premium Brake thanks to its automatic self-adjustment.
AAA Premium Brake for safer braking
Modern car trailers are equipped with what is known as an overrun brake. With this technology, the trailer initially moves up onto the braking car, which then triggers the braking process. The deceleration of the towing vehicle is transmitted via a linkage and Bowden cables to the drum brakes of the trailer. In order to guarantee optimum braking performance at all times, the brake linkage and even the drum brakes themselves must be regularly readjusted. If this is not done, the braking distance of the towing combination can increase.
To ensure you are always on the safe side, upgrade your trailer with the AAA Premium Brake. If there's too much play in the brake linings, this high-performance brake automatically corrects it via self-adjustment. This preserves the brake linings, ensures optimum braking performance throughout the entire service life of the wheel brake, and shortens the braking distance by up to five metres – a key advantage when driving with a trailer in winter.
Check Bowden cables thoroughly in winter
Another key point to check more thoroughly in winter is the Bowden cables: The trailer brakes must work reliably in all weather and usage conditions. If moisture gets into the Bowden cables, this can lead to corrosion and the cables freezing up. A tip from professionals is to hang up the Bowden cables high in the middle section so that no standing water can freeze. If you are unsure, you can have the cables' height checked and, if necessary, adjusted in a workshop. Ideally, you should use special holders for axle Bowden cables and modern AL-KO VT Profi Longlife Bowden cables, which allow moisture to escape and keep the brake system functioning properly long-term.
If you discover white rust on galvanised chassis components, there's no need for alarm. This is caused by a corrosion process, which occurs when moisture, snow and de-icing salt affect the metal in winter, but it does not generally indicate a quality issue. Simply washing the winter salt solution off the trailer after a journey, or brushing the affected areas clean, is usually sufficient.
