Do you need insurance for a car trailer?

Driving with a trailer in a car according to the new rules

Hi all! Caravan owners often ask many legal questions and are interested in the nuances of operating this type of trailer.

That's why I decided to talk a little about this topic. Today we are mostly interested in driving a passenger car with a trailer according to the new rules for 2021. I will say right away that it was 2021 that became the most significant in terms of changes than 2021 or the current year 2018.

If you are planning to purchase a trailer for transporting various types of cargo, or want to know what rules are in force this year, I will try to help you. Let's consider the main issues and the most pressing topics.

How to calculate the cost of trailer insurance

COST = BASE RATE x INCREASE FACTOR

The following rates apply for calculation:

• passenger car of a legal entity – 1.16;
• truck up to 16 tons – 1.4;
• a truck over this mass – 1.25;
• trailers for tractors, road construction vehicles – 1.24;
• other trailers for compulsory insurance – 1.

More on the topic Pension for orphans in 2021

Self-calculation is done as follows:

1. The minimum base rate for an organization's car is taken (from January 2021 it is 2,058 rubles).
2. The coefficient for a tractor for such a car will be 1.16.
3. The coefficient, for example, of St. Petersburg is 1.8.

Thus: 2,058 x 1.16 x 1.8 = 4,297 rubles (rounded).

To this amount it is necessary to multiply other coefficients (bonus-malus, FAC, engine power, etc.).

Many factors influence the final insurance amount. The most significant of them and used as coefficients when calculating compulsory motor liability insurance for a trailer:

• service life of the vehicle;
• the region where the trailer was registered.

Compulsory motor liability insurance for a trailer = Tb * Km*Kp, where: Tb is the base rate; Km ​​is the coefficient of territorial affiliation; Kp is the rate depending on the period of operation.

When calculating, the amount of compulsory motor liability insurance largely depends on the frequency of use of the vehicle.

For example, if an additional device is used only during the summer season, and in winter it simply sits idle, then the insurance contract will be concluded precisely for the specified period.

If desired, the policy can be issued for a full insurance year, there is no limit to this. What if you need a trailer at another time of the year? But if you need to save money, the insurance period can be reduced.

In this case, the principle of limitation is applied - the minimum period for which it is allowed to issue compulsory motor liability insurance:

• for individuals – 3 months;
• enterprises and organizations – 6 months.

This minimum period is not permitted to be divided into several parts.

General rules

Here I would advise you to look at previous materials so that I don’t have to repeat myself.

In general, the rules for driving a car with a trailer are not very different from the general rules for driving the car itself.

But there are a few nuances that you should be aware of. Namely:

All these rules apply in the Russian Federation. Although many visitors to our site are from the Republic of Belarus (Belarus) and Ukraine, I am still talking mostly about Russian legislation.

What the traffic rules say

To obtain the right to drive a vehicle, a person must have a driver's license. There is a list of open categories, that is, types of vehicles that the driver can drive.

The traffic rules contain specific situations in which a driver is allowed to drive a trailer on public roads:

If you comply with all these conditions, you will not have any obstacles to driving with a trailer.

In the attached links you will find a lot of useful and relevant information, including important videos. So I don’t see any point in duplicating everything in a new article.

Fines

I understand that the most pressing issue is the fine that the driver risks receiving if he violates the rules for driving with a trailer.

If you do not follow the rules, violate traffic rules, do not take documents with you or simply do not receive them, or do not register the trailer, then the chances of issuing a fine are simply huge.

There are several legislative acts in this regard. I suggest you familiarize yourself with them:

By the way, if technical faults are identified, you will not get off with a simple fine. You will have to stop driving, fix the problem, and only then continue your trip. And then you pay a fine because you violated the traffic rules regarding the operation of the trailer, and also created a dangerous situation on the road.

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About the established rules for driving with a trailer

Recently, there have been constant changes or additions to traffic rules regarding various issues.

According to the new rules, a tow hitch is also a vehicle and in cases specified by law, namely for legal entities and when transporting goods over 3.5 tons, it must be registered, and the driver when transporting goods exceeding the total weight of 3.5 tons of the road train must have the appropriate category “E” on your driver’s license.

There are more different nuances regarding the transportation of cargo in a trailer, and the order of qualification groups in the traffic rules has expanded; when passing the exam to drive a vehicle with a trailer, the driver must have a certain driver’s category in his license.

The answer to the question of how to drive with a trailer and what documents are needed when driving a vehicle is as follows:

Driving with a trailer as part of a road train requires the driver to comply with all the rules and regulations established by the adopted laws and regulations of Russia, and traffic rules.

About the conditions and features of the use of categories

According to current regulatory laws and acts, the use of a trailer with a carrying capacity or weight of up to 750 kg can be used without any restrictions by owners of passenger cars with category B. As well as drivers with other categories C, C1, D, D1.

Let's consider the question: is category E needed to drive a car with a trailer and in what cases is it used? The worries and fears of owners of vehicles and trailers are completely justified, since violations can result in a hefty fine or parking lot.

Currently, there are about 16 categories that allow you to manage different vehicles. The following categories BE, CE, C1E, D1, D1E are intended for vehicles with trailers.

Category E is applied in case of exceeding the fixed weight of a road train, a car together with a trailer for all categories of driver's licenses, for example, if the total weight exceeds the mass of the road train not exceeding the established values ​​for the license category, then you can use a license and a trailer without category E.

When answering the question about which trailer can be towed with category B, you should use the provisions of the Vienna Convention and Russian Federal Law No. 196 On Road Safety, which says the following:

• Drivers of category B with a trailer weighing up to 750 kg can use a trailer without any restrictions, category 01;
• Drivers with driving category B can use a road train consisting of a vehicle whose weight exceeds the weight of the towed vehicle and does not exceed the total weight of the road train over 3.5 tons, belong to category 02;
• The remaining categories 03 and 04 must provide for the opening of category E in the driver’s license.

To open category BE, CE, DE or subcategory C1E, D1E, the driver must retake the exams:

• theory of traffic rules for tickets;
• practical driving around the city;
• practical driving on the circuit with forward and reverse driving and parking.

Assignment to category E requires driving experience in category B, C or D for at least one year. For violation of these provisions, drivers will be held liable in accordance with established traffic rules in the form of a fine from 5 thousand to 15 thousand rubles, removal from driving, confiscation of the car and sending it to a fine parking lot.

About the correct use of a towed vehicle and the registration of documents

When purchasing a trailer, the car owner will have to complete several important steps to ensure proper operation of the vehicle:

• Prepare the towed vehicle: its towing device, lighting devices, wheels, safety elements, shock-absorbing devices, brakes, if any;

• Carry out the correct placement of the transported cargo: the main cargo is placed a little closer forward from the rear axle, providing freedom to the tow bar;
• Follow the rules for transporting and driving a vehicle. Maneuvering or changing lanes in a moving stream of vehicles with a towbar installed should be done with caution, especially if the trailer has a high awning, a large transported load or high speed. It is necessary to exclude cases of the towed vehicle swaying from side to side and tilting when moving. It should also be taken into account that when driving with a trailer, there is an increased fuel consumption in the car.

Trailers come in the following sizes; up to 12 meters long, up to 4 meters high, up to 2.55 meters wide. The main thing is that the length of the car and trailer is no more than 18.35 meters. Therefore, during transportation, the acceleration and deceleration speeds must be observed, as well as the rules for overtaking, taking into account the total length of the road train.

If a road train is stopped by a traffic police inspector, you must present the registration documents for the towed vehicle along with your driver's license and vehicle documents.

When purchasing a trailer, you must register the vehicle within 10 days with the traffic police department at your place of residence. To do this, you need to perform the following steps:

• Fill out an application for a technical inspection if the towed vehicle is operated by a legal entity over 3.5 tons and is older than three years;
• Submit a receipt for payment of the state fee for vehicle registration;

• Present an identification document, a driver's license;
• PTS for a towed vehicle.

When registering and registering with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, a license plate will be issued for the towed vehicle, with registration and entry into the PTS. If the requirements and deadlines for registering a trailer are violated, the violator is subject to a fine of 1.5-2 thousand rubles.

Having understood all the rules and completed the required measures, the driver provides himself with the necessary documents, and following the traffic rules and not violating them eliminates the creation of emergency situations on the road.

About preparing a trailer for operation and fines for violations

The driver must remember that the towbar should also be inspected and serviced before making a trip. You must be sure that it is in good working order and meets safety requirements.

The following measures should be taken before traveling with a tow hitch:

The driver must comply with the loading standards on the towbar and the rules for placing and securing the load. Overload is not allowed. When placing a load on a single-axle trailer, it is very important to position the load strictly on the trailer axis and secure it.

A slight displacement can affect the stability and maneuverability of the towbar and the load can even break the hitch. Excessive forward movement of the load can prematurely wear out the trailer hitch and lead to deformation of the tow bar.

Shifting the load backward reduces the safety of transportation; contact and controllability drop sharply. Premature wear of car and trailer tires occurs. Avoid shifting the load and secure it using seat belts.

If the driver fails to comply with traffic rules while driving a car with a tow hitch, an administrative fine may be applied to the driver in the following cases:

There may also be other situations. The driver must remember that moving with a trailer must strictly comply with laws, traffic rules, and operating instructions for devices.

About the features of driving with a trailer

Each driver has to master the skills of driving with a towbar on his own, gradually delving into the process of control and driving. And the method of reversing with a trailer is generally unique in each case and a beginner will not be able to cope with it right away.

When driving back with a tow hitch, you should monitor the condition of the trailer in the rear mirror; when it moves to the right, turn the steering wheel to the left and otherwise in the opposite sequence. The steering wheel should be turned smoothly without sudden jerks to avoid turning the trailer sideways.

What documents are needed to drive a car with a light trailer and what is the fine?

Documents for the trailer

Trailers are, by definition of traffic regulations, a real vehicle - just like cars, motorcycles and others. Although this is not an independent vehicle that works exclusively in conjunction with its leading vehicle, a number of requirements for the list of necessary documents in 2021 still apply to them. In this article, we will look at what documents you need to carry with you and hand over to the traffic police officer for inspection on the trailer, what the size of the fine is for driving without documents, we will look at the subtleties when it is homemade, and we will also find out what legal entities need to have. Please note that this article is specifically about papers for driving vehicles with a coupling device - we have a separate article about a set of documents for registering a trailer.

Does a trailer require a technical inspection and a diagnostic card?

There is also no need to undergo a separate inspection for a passenger car trailer. In general, the inspection ticket is a thing of the past, along with the obligation to present it to traffic police officers when stopped. As of today, 2021, the fact of passing the technical inspection is confirmed by the diagnostic card issued by the technical inspection point. But the legislation has entrusted insurance companies with checking its presence, and a diagnostic card becomes necessary only for purchasing a compulsory motor liability insurance policy.

Thus, for trailers of passenger cars, there is no need to undergo a technical inspection or have a diagnostic card.

Do you need documents for a passenger trailer in 2021?

Yes. Separate documents for trailer vehicles are required for its operation, and a standard set for the ability to drive a car will not work here.

It is an independent vehicle, according to the Road Traffic Regulations. It follows that:

But it's not all that complicated! Let's look at the lists of papers that you will need in certain cases, which depend on the type and weight of the trailer, the legal status of the manager and a number of other factors.

Which trailer to buy

Points for choosing a quality trailer:

1. Load capacity must be high.
2. The suspension is too stiff and will not allow you to carefully transport loads.
3. The sides are only galvanized, since iron simply treated with paint will corrode in a few years.
4. Equipment: awning, side hinges, braking system.
5. Maintainability is an important point, because spare parts for a certain model should be available for sale in case of possible repairs.

Choose your trailer wisely, first of all deciding on the purpose of the vehicle. Universal models, such as MZSA, are used in commercial activities and are indispensable for the evacuation of large equipment or vehicles.

Frame trailers are suitable for transporting water transport and specialized cargo. On-board varieties are often used for transporting small-sized objects and building materials.

What documents should I take with me?

So, in the standard case - when you are driving a passenger car with a trailer weighing no more than 750 kg, you are an individual, you will need only one document: a registration certificate (hereinafter referred to as "STS", it is also mistakenly called a technical passport), confirming, that you have registered the trailer with the traffic police.

Thus, the general set of papers for the car and its trailer will be as follows:

Of course, the trailer, being properly registered with the traffic police, must have license plates.

Now let's take a closer look at what documents you will need in a number of special cases. And let’s go not through these situations, but through specific documents, and find out when you need a specific one of them.

Installing a towing device (TCU) on a car always means making changes to the design. But there is no need to register them with the traffic police if one of two conditions is met:

The driver is not required to carry any pages from the “product catalogue”, nor declarations and certificates.

In other cases, registration of changes to the design is subject to registration, and a special mark is affixed to the registration certificate.

Registration certificate

So, we found out above that you will always need STS on the roads of Russia. Clause 2.1.1 of the Traffic Regulations directly regulates this document as mandatory. Moreover, you are obliged to carry it with you and present it to the traffic police inspector when you stop.

This applies to both passenger and cargo trailers belonging to both individuals and legal entities. The only exception here is trailers for mopeds and scooters, although this case is very rare.

Please note that if your trailer is homemade, then the obligation to have an STS with you is not canceled. But acquiring this document will be much more difficult for homemade products.

What category of rights?

But the driver's license is a little more confusing. The fact is that according to the new laws in 2021, there are a number of criteria, depending on which you may need different categories and subcategories.

But don't worry, if your car weighs less than 3.5 tons and your trailer weighs up to 750 kilograms, then category "B" is enough for you. It will also be enough if the trailer weighs more than 750 kg, but together with the vehicle the total weight is no more than the same 3.5 tons. If one of the above factors is not met, then the “BE” category will be required.

Moreover, in these numbers we are talking specifically about the permitted maximum weight of vehicles - its exact value is indicated precisely in the registration certificate.

Thus, you will need to have it on the back of your driver’s license only in one case - when the trailer weighs more than 750 kg, and the car with it weighs more than 3.5 tons in total (but the car without it weighs no more than 3,500 kg) .

But for cargo trailers there are two more possible combinations of categories and subcategories: C, C1, CE, C1E. We will not describe here the possible combinations of masses of the vehicle and its trailer - you can easily find out all this in our special article and receive an interactive answer about the required category. In general, all of the above is regulated by Article 25 of the Federal Law on Road Safety.

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Receiving stages

In order to obtain a form for civil liability protection for a tow hitch, the car owner just needs to select the most suitable insurance company to conclude a contract and visit its office, providing the insurance company employees with the required package of documents. If the agents accept the application, then to complete the procedure they will need the registered vehicle to conduct a thorough inspection of it. The final stage in issuing compulsory motor liability insurance will be payment for the services of insurers, which is made in the generally accepted manner.

Required documents

In the list of necessary papers and certificates provided for registration of a motor vehicle license, the RSA regulations include:

• Passport of the owner of movable property (military and pension cards are also suitable);
• A valid driver's license of the owner of a loading platform or semi-trailer, driving license of persons authorized to use it in cars and trucks (including by general power of attorney);
• An extract from the State Traffic Inspectorate indicating the timely registration of a non-motorized vehicle in a unified database;
• A diagnostic card containing data on each vehicle inspection performed (you can obtain such a document from the traffic police or at private service stations).

Attention! The above list is mandatory for presentation to all insurance companies involved in issuing contracts for civil liability protection. But for legal entities this list will be somewhat expanded.

Cost calculation

Having found out whether it is necessary to insure a trailer for a passenger car in 2019, and what papers may be required to carry out such an operation, it’s time to move on to another important issue - the cost of compulsory motor liability insurance, which is calculated according to the following table:

If the driver has extensive driving experience, then the final cost of a movable property insurance contract for him will decrease slightly. But if there are several persons on the form who are allowed to drive the vehicle, the price for compulsory motor liability insurance, on the contrary, will increase.

Do you need a trailer license for a car?

When purchasing a trailer for personal needs, owners are often not sufficiently informed about whether there will be a need to open an additional category on the driver’s license. Before purchasing automotive equipment, familiarize yourself with the operational and legal details provided for in the legislation for 2021. Otherwise, you may unintentionally violate traffic rules, create an emergency situation, and also be fined for not registering the vehicle on time.

Trailer, its types - official terminology

“Trailer” is a vehicle that is not equipped with an engine and is intended to be driven in conjunction with a power-driven vehicle. The term also applies to semi-trailers and trailers.

Official terminology, depending on the technical characteristics of trailers, divides them into several types:

Best PVC Boat Trailer

One of the best trailers of this type is produced by the SST brand. Model 7132-13 is additionally equipped with bow and keel rollers.

SST 7132-13

Special water trailer with one axle. The body is galvanized with a sheet 3 mm thick. The design uses advanced laser technology. The SST 7132-13 model is equipped with bow and keel rollers. A winch and support wheel are required in its design. Each support is individually adjustable.

Specifications:

1. Dimensions - 403x169x85 cm.
2. Galvanization thickness is 3 mm.
3. The diameter of the reinforced axle is 60 mm.
4. Tire size - 175/70 R13.

Pros of the trailer:

1. Laser cutting and welding ensures high precision manufacturing and build quality.
2. The ability to adjust each support individually - this allows you to adapt the substrate to different contours of the vessel.

Trailer cons:

1. Single axis design.
2. Low load capacity.

Types of trailers and their designations

Depending on the total weight of the vehicle, section 5 of GOST R 52051-2003 identifies several categories, each of which has its own designation:

Category O1 - Trailers with a technically permissible maximum weight of no more than 0.75 tons.

Category O2 - Trailers with a technically permissible maximum weight of more than 0.75 tons, but not more than 3.5 tons.

Category O3 - Trailers with a technically permissible maximum weight of more than 3.5 tons, but not more than 10 tons.

Briefly about OSAGO

Since 2003, the law “On motor third-party liability insurance” has been in force in the Russian Federation, which is mandatory for all owners of movable property. In accordance with its position, not a single resident of the Russian Federation can travel on self-propelled vehicles without a special policy confirming his financial protection on the road. Ignoring this rule is fraught with the imposition of penalties provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses (financial penalties in the amount of 500 to 800 rubles).

Important to know! The OSAGO form itself is a regular insurance contract, the validity of which applies exclusively to the cars of third parties injured as a result of an accident that occurred due to the fault of the insurance company client. But a person will not be able to cover the costs of repairing his own vehicle with the help of such a document, which is clearly stipulated in the RSA regulations.

Depending on the type of vehicle, the number of registered persons and their driving experience, the price of the policy can range from 2-3 to several tens of thousands of rubles. At the same time, the maximum amount of compensation payments for motor vehicle insurance does not exceed 250 thousand rubles. We will find out further how much compulsory motor liability insurance is required for a trailer, and where it should be registered.

Conditions for using trailers weighing more than 750 kg

In 2021, licenses will be required not only for a trailer for a passenger car, but also for a trailer. Category “B”, according to the traffic rules, gives the right to drive cars and small trucks, SUVs (jeeps), minibuses, sidecars, vehicles with trailers with a maximum permitted weight of up to 0.75 tons. If this figure is more than 750 kg, then such a vehicle composition must meet the additional requirements specified in Art. 25 196-FZ for 2021:

The best tow truck trailer for transportation

The category presents one of the best carriage trailers - MZSA 852111.302. It has a high load capacity, but it also weighs a lot.

MZSA 852111.302

Towing trailer of two-axle design for transporting passenger cars. Thanks to the classic type drawbar (rigid Soviet design), it easily withstands vibrations and shock loads. There is a winch, removable corrugated ladders, and support posts. The trailer is equipped with three autonomous braking systems.

Specifications:

1. Dimensions - 597x250x101 cm.
2. Load capacity - up to 2485 kg.
3. Suspension type: rubber-harness.
4. Ground clearance - 246 mm.
5. Load per axle - 1800 kg.

Pros of the trailer:

1. High load capacity.
2. Components from the German company AL-KO Kober.
3. 3 brake systems.
4. The presence of support posts to ensure the stability of the trailer.

Trailer cons:

1. Heavy.

Rules for moving cargo

Safe transportation of goods in trailers for drivers and road users has its own characteristics.

A towbar is the only possible way to securely secure a load. Sometimes on difficult trails or winding roads the additional use of a chain or safety rope may be required.

When parking your trailer, you must use the trailer locks , even if you park it separately.

The amount of permissible projection of oversized cargo beyond the trailer, the special designation of cargo during the day and night is determined by traffic regulations.

Carrying a passenger in a trailer is prohibited, even if it is a mobile home. The ban also applies to explosive and flammable substances, gas cylinders, and fuel.

The permissible speed of a passenger car with a trailer is:

Design specifics

Any vehicle must be registered no later than 10 days from the date of purchase. For registration, you can apply to any registration department of the traffic police, regardless of the applicant’s place of residence or region of stay.

The rules for registering trailers in 2021 are regulated by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 21, 2019 No. 1764. Regardless of the number of axles, vehicles must be registered with the state traffic police authorities, while persons who have a driver’s license with an OSAGO do not need to purchase an additional OSAGO policy directly for it ( Clause 3, Article 4 of the Federal Law of April 25, 2002 N 40-FZ On Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance).

Documents for transporting a trailer

It is necessary to take into account the fact that in the case of using a trailer, the motorist will not be able to get by with a standard set of documents for his car, since additional papers will be required, namely:

• driver's license;
• registration certificate for the main vehicle;
• a valid MTPL policy for the car;
• registration documents for a vehicle without a motor;
• diagnostic card in paper or electronic form.

Do not also forget that any trailer is also hung with registration plates, which are issued at the time the vehicle is registered with the traffic police department.

Do you need insurance for a trailer?

The current regulations of the Russian Federation clearly state that the obligation to insure motor vehicle liability does not apply to owners of trailers for passenger vehicles owned by citizens. This provision is clearly stated in the fourth article of the Federal Law “On Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance”. In other words, there is no need to insure a trailer attached to a passenger car, provided that the car owner has a compulsory motor liability insurance policy for the car in paper or electronic form.

However, it must be taken into account that this only applies to passenger vehicles. In all other situations, having a compulsory motor liability insurance policy is mandatory. It is worth noting that starting from 2021, a separate document for a mechanical vehicle without an engine is not required. However, the insurance company needs to enter data on the trailer into a valid form that is issued on the car. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that if you have a trailer, the final cost of compulsory motor liability insurance can increase by almost 40 percent from the initial value. It is noteworthy that this only applies to some types of trailers, while this does not apply to other mechanical vehicles without a power unit. If necessary, you can calculate the cost of compulsory motor liability insurance with a trailer using a calculator available on the insurance company’s website.

List of documents for registration of a trailer

Before going to the traffic police to register a trailer, you must prepare the following documents:

After registering the trailer, the new owner receives:

The registration procedure includes: submission of documents to the traffic police, inspection of the vehicle by a traffic police officer (the VIN number is verified, checked for problems), and the subsequent execution of registration papers.

The period for bringing administrative liability for this offense is two months and is calculated after 10 days from the moment when the owner or other owner of a motorcycle or trailer is obliged to register it or change the registration data about it (Review No. 2, approved by the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on June 26. 2015).

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Let's take it in tow

16 questions about car trailers

1) What license do you need to drive with a trailer?

According to the current legislation, a license with category “B” is sufficient if the permitted maximum weight of the towed trailer does not exceed 750 kg. Or if the permitted maximum weight of the trailer does not exceed the weight of a curb vehicle belonging to category “B”, and the permitted maximum weight of such a combination of vehicles does not exceed 3,500 kg.

In the event that a trailer or a “vehicle+trailer” combination does not fit into this framework, you will have to open an additional “E” category in your license. On average in St. Petersburg, the cost of training will be 8,000-10,000 rubles, the duration of training is about one and a half months.

2) Can the trailer be used with any vehicle?

Yes, if its permissible maximum weight does not exceed the curb weight of a vehicle belonging to category “B”. As for the trailer unit - the tow bar, technically it can be installed on any car.

3) How do I need to retrofit my car to use a trailer?

This, as already mentioned, is the installation of a tow bar, as well as the installation of additional electrical wiring for the lighting devices (dimensions, turn signals and brake lights) of the trailer.

4) What parameters are used to select a trailer for a car?

First of all, you need to answer the question: what do you need a trailer for - to transport boards and bricks, a jet ski or a boat? Or maybe a mobile country house? Next, we carefully read the technical characteristics of the trailer and evaluate whether the future composition fits into category “B” or not.

It would also be a good idea to read the instructions for your car, where there is a clause “maximum weight of a towed trailer equipped/not equipped with brakes.” You can search for this information on the Internet or call your dealer. After that we make a choice.

5) What are the features of driving with a trailer?

In fact, a trailer, especially a loaded one, significantly reduces the acceleration dynamics of the car and increases the braking distance. This must be taken into account when braking and overtaking.

You need to brake smoothly - regardless of whether the trailer is empty or loaded. It is important to maintain a distance from the car in front. Before turning, it is better to reduce the speed in advance and go through it “pull”. Jerky braking, especially when cornering, can cause the trailer or car to skid and “collapse.”

At high speeds, the trailer is prone to swaying from side to side. According to traffic regulations, the maximum speed of a passenger car with a trailer outside populated areas on highways should not exceed 90 km/h, on other roads – 70 km/h.

When driving with a trailer, changing lanes in traffic, maneuvering and parking in urban conditions becomes much more difficult. Reversing is especially difficult. At the same time, a large trailer impairs rear visibility.

So, in the interior mirror, for example, you can no longer see anything except your own caravan trailer. True, if necessary, you can install additional, so-called caravan, rearview mirrors. They are installed either on the hood of the car or on the standard rearview mirrors. With trailers with a large body area - such as a caravan or a cargo trailer - you need to be careful when driving in strong winds.

6) How to load a trailer correctly?

The load should be placed evenly - so that its center of gravity is above the axle (if there is one) or between the axles of the trailer. Shifting the center of gravity forward will place unnecessary stress on the towbar and the entire rear of the vehicle, reducing the traction of the steering wheels.

Moving rearward will cause the rear of the vehicle to lift, reducing rear wheel traction. In this case, the center of gravity of the transported cargo should be as low as possible, since the higher it is, the more prone the trailer is to longitudinal and lateral swing, which impairs handling.

Permissible speed limit for vehicles with a trailer

It is worth noting that the traffic rules set certain speed limits only for passenger vehicles with a trailer. The following criteria are provided here:

• no more than 90 km/h for driving on a motorway;
• no higher than 70 km/h when traveling outside the populated area;
• no more than 60 km/h when driving within populated areas;
• no higher than 20 km/h when traveling within the coverage area of ​​the “Residential zone” sign.

Also, a passenger car with a trailer cannot drive more than 20 km/h in courtyard areas. Motorists should take into account that we are talking specifically about passenger vehicles, and not in relation to category B.

For example, if a small truck (for example, a Gazelle) is traveling with a trailer, then the previously mentioned restrictions do not apply here. This car, as part of a road train, can travel along the highway at a speed of 110 km/h. Also outside the city in this situation, the Gazelle driver can accelerate to 90 km/h. The same rule applies to relatively small pickup trucks, which in appearance may resemble passenger vehicles. Here it is necessary to take into account that the restriction also does not apply to trucks, buses and other vehicles that can move at the maximum permissible speed, both without a trailer and as part of a road train.

Road sign “No driving with a trailer”

The current traffic regulations contain a sign that prohibits the movement of vehicles with a trailer. However, it only applies to trucks with trailers and tractors. This also includes towing faulty mechanical vehicles. Here you should also take into account the fact that we are talking specifically about the type of transport, and not about the category to which the car belongs. In other words, this sign applies to light trucks belonging to categories B and C, any tractors, as well as towing mechanical vehicles. However, this sign does not restrict the movement of passenger cars and buses as part of a road train.