Even for the most confident of drivers, towing can be quite intimidating at the best of times. When you hire a trailer, especially for the first time, it can be nerve wrecking to hit the busy highways with a packed trailer that makes your car feel quite different. And this feeling is taken to a whole new level when you are taking your hired trailer down a dirt road.
Most urban South African roads are still (kind of) in good working condition. Besides a pothole here and there, the roads are easy to navigate even when you are driving a city car. But beyond the cities, many roads in the more rural areas, especially farm roads, are mostly gravel or dirt and not in the best of condition. You won’t necessarily need a 4×4 vehicle to drive these roads, but you will need some savvy, nerves of steel, and a whole lot of patience, especially if you are towing a trailer.
Driving on a dirt road can be quite the adventure. It doesn’t need to be the terrifying trip you might have in mind, instead, it can be a lesson in driving. There are some general dirt road driving tips that easily translate into driving tips for those towing on a dirt road, and once you get the hang of taking your trailer on roads less travelled, you will wonder why you were worried in the first place.
- Go slow(er)
Even if you are already a careful, slow driver, when you take your car and trailer out on a dirt road, you will want to reduce your speed by at least 20%. This will make you feel a lot more comfortable on the road, and should you need to stop, the slower speed will help you to control the extra weight on your vehicle. You should also try to be as steady as possible, especially if the road is corrugated.
- Follow the tracks
Other cars are sure to have driven where you are now trying to get through, and that means, there should be a track of sorts that you can follow as you drive. Those who have driven on the gravel road before you have created a safer part on the road to drive on so if you stay in their tracks you should be safe.
- Don’t break suddenly or turn your steering sharply
Suddenly coming to a halt or turning your steering wheel like a Formula 1 driver is going to lead to skidding and possibly an accident. When you are on a dirt road you will want to go smooth and slowly.
- Be in control
Leaving your vehicle to run freely when the road is clear is a big no-no. You will want to be in control at all times, even more so when the road is full of sharp corners or sudden dips. Make sure you keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel at all times.
Looking to hire a trailer in Pretoria? At Newlands Trailers, we have a wide variety of trailers for you to hire. Contact us today for more information.
