Towing: What You Need to Know
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Besides safety, there are a few laws involved when it comes to towing a trailer; make sure you’re following the law of the land to avoid a pricey ticket.
*The following is in accordance with Recreational Towing Regulations in Alberta, and may differ in other provinces or countries.
This post is a little data heavy (okay, really data heavy) but it’s worth a read, so sorry it’s a little drier than normal.
Towing Multiple Trailers:
- Two trailers can only be towed if the lead trailer is a fifth wheel with at least two axles in tandem.
- The length from the front of the towing vehicle to the rear of the last trailer can not exceed 20 meters (roughly 65.5 feet)
- The hitch fastening the second trailer to the first trailer must be fastened to the frame of the first trailer
- The longer trailer must be the first trailer
(image from www.alberta.ca)
Tow Weight/Vehicle Weight/Payload:
A few definitions to know:
“Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)”; the GAWR refers to the maximum weight an axle is designed to carry. The GAWR is a safety standard used to prevent overloading. Manufacturers set the Gross Axle Weight Rating based on requirements set by Transport Canada.
“Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)”; the GVWR refers to the maximum weight a vehicle is designed to carry including the net weight of the vehicle with accessories, plus the weight of passengers, fuels, and cargo. The GVWR is a safety standard used to prevent overloading. Manufacturers set the GVWR based on requirements set by Transport Canada. The weight on an axle can vary depending on where items are stored.
“Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)”; the GCWR, sometimes expressed as the maximum trailer towing capacity, may change with different engine, transmission, and differential combinations, and is normally found in the owner’s manual. The GCWR is the maximum weight of the truck and trailer combined. The maximum trailer towing capacity is the maximum weight of a trailer which may be towed when your truck is empty (no payload), any load carried in the truck will reduce its maximum trailer towing capacity.
“Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)” is the number of kilograms derived by adding the weights on all the axles of your loaded vehicle.
Refer to the manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (located on drivers side door) Here you’ll find: GAWR, GVWR, GAWR
-Alberta Transportation recommends you do not exceed any of the three ratings.
*Note: Conversion: Multiply kilograms by 2.2, divide pounds by 2.2
Net Weight: is the weight of a vehicle that is empty except for the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant necessary for its operation. (ALSO referred to as “CURB Weight”) (MVAR)
- Weigh the front axle and rear axle of the vehicle
- Add front and rear axle weight to achieve Net Vehicle Weight
Vehicle Payload: once the Net Weight and GVWR has been determined, subtract the Net Vehicle Weight from the GVWR
GVWR:
- The previous steps also apply to recreational trailers when determining its carrying capacity
- Locate the manufacturers GVWR label (usually located near the front of the trailer, accompanied by the VIN number)
- Subtract the net trailer weight from the GVWR; this will give you the actual carrying capacity of the trailer
- Alberta Transportations recommends not exceeding this weight
Key to Remember:
- You should not exceed manufacturer’s GVWR
- You should not exceed manufacturer’s GAWR
- Adding components such as air bags or overload springs does not allow these ratings to be increased or exceeded
- When coupled to a trailer unit or fifth wheel, remember each unit will transfer weight to the towing unit (hitch weight). Take this into consideration when determining the GVWR and GAWR.
- Make sure fifth wheel mounts and ball receiver hitches are rated accordingly and do not to exceed the manufacture’s ratings
- Ensure tire pressure is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications
- You should not exceed the GCWR. Check your owner’s manual for the GCWR (towing capabilities). If you tow a load that is too heavy for your vehicle, you create a potential safety risk for yourself and others on the road. You may also void warranties.
Tires and Breaks:
Tires:
The original manufacturer of your vehicle and trailer will designate acceptable tire sizes and type; any replacement tires should meet these requirements.
A couple requirements that apply to tires to be aware of:
- On-highway vehicles must use tires that are designed for on-highway use
- Tires have a rated carrying capacity; the sum of the total rated capacity for the tires on an axle must be greater than the GAWR
- Alberta Transportation recommends that all tires that share an axle be the same
Braking Requirements:
Breaks are required on trailers when:
- The trailer has a gross laden weight more than 910 kg
- The trailer weighs 50% or more of the towing vehicle
Types of Breaks Required:
- The service brakes on a motor vehicle or on a combination of vehicles are adequate if they can bring the motor vehicle or combination to a stop:
- if the motor vehicle or combination is moving at 30 kilometers per hour and loaded to capacity when the brakes are applied,
- on a level surface free from loose materials and consisting of dry paving of asphalt or concrete, and
- within 10 meters from the point at which the brakes are applied
- The emergency or parking brake on a motor vehicle or on a combination of vehicles is adequate if it can bring the motor vehicle or combination to a stop:
- if the motor vehicle or combination is moving at 30 kilometers per hour and loaded to capacity when the brake is applied,
- on a level surface free from loose materials and consisting of dry paving of asphalt or concrete, and
- within 16 meters from the point at which the brake is applied
- The brakes on a vehicle that tows a trailer are adequate if they are capable of controlling the safe movement of the towing unit
- The emergency brake or parking brake system of a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles must hold the motor vehicle or combination at a stop if they are loaded to capacity and facing up or down a 20% grade
Trailer Breakaway Devices:
- A breakaway device is not specifically required in Alberta legislation. The owner must maintain the vehicle combination in a safe operating condition.
- A person shall not drive or operate a vehicle that is towing a trailer unless the trailer is attached to the towing unit by two separate means of attachment designed so that the failure of one attachment does not permit the trailer to separate from the towing unit
- Each means of attachment must have sufficient strength to pull all the weight towed by the towing unit
- The secondary means of attachment must be capable of:
- towing the trailer so that the trailer substantially follows in the track of the towing vehicle, and
- preventing the drawbar of the trailer or the primary means of attachment from touching the road surface
Note:
- The lead trailer in a combination is the towing unit for the second trailer
- A fifth wheel trailer does not require a second means of attachment
Remember that improper towing, in a best-case scenario, ends with a fine and a ticket, but in the worst-case scenario you end up on the evening news.(Information and further detail from the Government of Alberta LINK: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/recreational-vehicle-towing-guide )