Beachwheels Automotive – Towing & Safety Specialists in Brookvale, Manly & the Northern Beaches
Whether you’re towing a trailer, caravan, boat, or heavy load, proper preparation is key to staying safe on the road. Poor towing setups can lead to accidents, fines, or serious wear on your vehicle. If you’re based in Brookvale, Dee Why, Manly, or anywhere on the Northern Beaches, here’s a comprehensive tow safety checklist to help ensure a secure and trouble-free haul.
1. Check Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity
Before you hitch anything up, confirm your vehicle is rated to tow the weight of your load. Exceeding your tow limit can damage your engine, transmission, brakes and suspension. You’ll find your maximum towing capacity in your owner’s manual or compliance plate. If unsure, our team at Beachwheels Automotive can help clarify your vehicle’s limits.
2. Inspect the Towbar and Coupling
Ensure your towbar is rated appropriately and firmly secured to your vehicle. Check that the trailer coupling fits snugly and is locked in place. A worn tow hitch or damaged locking mechanism can come undone while driving — a serious safety risk.
3. Safety Chains and D Shackles
Always attach safety chains using rated D shackles. These serve as a backup if your trailer detaches. Make sure they are crossed under the drawbar to prevent it from hitting the ground and check that shackles are tightened correctly before departure.
4. Check Lights and Electrical Connections
Test all trailer lights — indicators, brake lights, tail lights and reflectors — before hitting the road. Faulty lighting is not only dangerous but illegal. If your trailer lights aren’t working properly, our vehicle inspection service can quickly diagnose and repair the issue.
5. Tyre Pressure and Condition
Check both your vehicle and trailer tyres for proper inflation and tread depth. Under-inflated or worn tyres can cause sway, increase fuel consumption and reduce braking efficiency. We offer tyre checks at our Brookvale workshop as part of all pre-trip inspections.
6. Secure Your Load
Loose items inside your trailer or caravan can shift during transit, throwing off weight distribution and increasing the risk of swaying. Use tie-downs, nets, or cargo barriers to secure all contents. Double-check that all doors, drawers and external hatches are locked.
7. Balance the Load Evenly
Improper weight distribution is a major cause of towing instability. Aim to keep about 60% of the load over the front half of the trailer and ensure the weight is balanced side-to-side. Avoid overloading the rear, as it can lift your vehicle’s front wheels and reduce steering control.
8. Mirrors and Visibility
If your trailer is wider than your car, you’ll need towing mirrors to maintain clear rear visibility. Adjust your mirrors before departure so you can see down both sides of the trailer. We can help fit and advise on towing accessories if needed.
9. Brake Controller Check (if applicable)
For trailers over 750kg (braked), a functioning electric brake controller is required by law in NSW. Check that it’s installed correctly and calibrated for your load. If you’re unsure, visit us for a quick safety inspection and test.
10. Do a Final Walk-Around
Before you set off, do a complete lap around your setup. Check chains, shackles, coupling, lights, tyres and doors one last time. It’s a simple step that could prevent a major issue on the road.
Tow With Confidence Around the Northern Beaches
Towing doesn’t need to be stressful. At Beachwheels Automotive, we provide pre-trip safety inspections, towing setup checks and general servicing to help you tow safely across Brookvale, Manly, Dee Why and beyond.
Contact us today to book a tow safety inspection or ask our team about setting up your vehicle for safe hauling.
Printable Tow Safety Checklist
Going on the road? Use this checklist to ensure your tow setup is safe, secure, and roadworthy.
- Vehicle’s towing capacity checked and confirmed
- Towbar securely mounted and properly rated
- Trailer coupling fits securely and is locked in place
- Safety chains connected and crossed under the drawbar
- Rated D shackles used and tightened
- All trailer lights tested: indicators, brake, tail and plate
- Electrical connection cable plugged in and working
- Tyres on vehicle and trailer inspected and inflated correctly
- Load evenly distributed and secured inside trailer
- Drawers, doors and hatches locked or latched shut
- Towing mirrors installed and properly adjusted (if required)
- Brake controller (if applicable) installed and tested
- Number plate clearly visible and illuminated
- Final walk-around completed to double-check all items
Tip: Keep a printed copy of this checklist in your glovebox or trailer for every trip.
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