There is no better place for a weekend getaway than going somewhere deep in the South African wilderness, but planning a weekend escape with friends can quickly turn from budget-friendly to budget-busting, especially when you are travelling with a large group, and as such need to bring along a lot of stuff.
At Newlands Trailers, we have a wide range of trailer rentals in Pretoria, and if you’ve read one of our blogs before, you’ll know how we feel about the benefits of hiring a trailer but you probably don’t know just how you can benefit if you share a rental with your friends. In this blog, we’re going to discuss why you should rent a trailer for your next camping trip.
Benefits of Hiring a Trailer for a Group Camping Trip
- You can pack so much extra gear – Camping with a big group of friends means having more stuff to drag along with you. Instead of packing the vehicles to capacity, and potentially taking away your comfort, a decent-sized trailer solves that problem in a heartbeat, by giving you access to so much more space. Need firewood for those evening braais? Check. Want to have a few extra coolers for group meals and drinks? Check. Need to pack a few additional tents for that friend who always forgets theirs? You will now have the space.
- You will have more comfort and convenience – When you hire a trailer, there will be no more squeezing luggage into every nook and cranny of your car, and no more playing Tetris with your backpacks and sleeping bags. A trailer is ideal for freeing up precious car space, making the journey to and from your destination that much more comfortable for everyone.
- Your chaos can be better organised – Car trailers aren’t just for hauling your necessary extra gear; they can also be an excellent help when it comes to organising whatever it is that you need to take with you. When organising your trailer you can use packing cubes or bins to organise your different camping essentials (such as your cooking supplies, your first-aid kit, and your lanterns) in the trailer. This way, finding what you need is much easier because you won’t end up having to dig through a mountain of stuff to get something.
- You save on costs – When sharing a trailer, you will also, naturally, be splitting the costs, which essentially benefits everyone on the trip.
Trailer Safety Tips for Off-Road Travel
If this is going to be your first time using a trailer to go on holiday, or if you are simply looking for a helpful reminder to update your trailer safety knowledge, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Know Your Limits – Trailers are fantastic for many reasons, but not all are 4×4 capable. You should stick to well-maintained gravel roads and as far as possible avoid bumpy, rocky terrain that could damage the trailer, cause the trailer to be detached or cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Load Securely – Always double-check that all your gear is securely fastened within the trailer. Use straps, bungee cords, or cargo nets to prevent your items from moving around while you are on the road, especially if you will be driving on uneven surfaces.
- Brakes and Hitch – You must check that your trailer brakes are functioning properly (don’t just trust that the company has checked everything for you), and have a qualified mechanic check your car’s hitch to make sure that it has a secure connection before setting off.
- Driving Awareness – Driving with a trailer requires extra care and awareness. When you are on the road you should increase your following distances, take corners slowly, and be mindful of the trailer’s turning radius when going around corners.
