Safe Towing
- Don't tow a trailer or another vehicle at the maximum speed of 90 km/h unless you're sure you can do so comfortably and safely.
- Slow down before curves and avoid braking suddenly — especially on gravel or greasy roads. Use a lower gear when travelling downhill.
- Don’t overload your trailer as this will affect its stability and control at any speed.
- Horse trailers: when towing a horse trailer you need to take extra care – as the horse moves, the trailer will sway. The speed recommendations on corners tell you what speed will create 'sway' for your horse. Use these guides as the speed limit for corners - and be conservative if your horse is a bad traveller.
Speed Limit
90 km/h is now the maximum speed at which vehicles towing trailers or other vehicles may drive on the open road.
The Police will be applying a 5 km/h discretionary tolerance to all vehicles towing trailers in any applicable speed zone. This means, for example, if you’re caught going 56 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, you can expect a ticket.
Equipment for your Float\Trailer
Spare Tyre/Jack*/Tyre Iron
Emergency triangle or flare\light
Chocks
Torch
Electrical tape, duct tape, bailing twine
Equine First Aid Kit with splint (know how to use it)
Knife for cutting ropes, etc., in emergency
Water
Buckets/sponge
Spare halter and lead rope for each horse
Spare bulbs for exterior and interior lights
Spare fuses
Fire extinguisher with up to date charge
WD-40 or other lubricant
Broom, shovel, and manure bags or buckets
* an alternative to a jack is a solid 'ramp' that you can drive a wheel of the trailer onto, lifting the flat tyre off the ground in order to change it. The easiest way to do this is with a decent slab of wood that is thinner at one end. This will allow you to change a tyre without unloading the horse(s) in an emergency.
Download Guides from the LTNZ
Make Sure Your Trailer is Roadworthy
Checks to perform every time you use your float
- Check tyre pressures, and look for signs of wear or damage.
- Clean all lights and reflectors.
- Check safety chain and light (electrical) connectors are in good order.
Monthly Checks
- Jack the trailer up and spin the wheels, listening for rumbling noises which indicate worn wheel bearings.
- Check spare tyre for pressure and general condition
- Check condition of floorboards and chassis for wear, rust or rot.
A poorly maintained trailer can be a hazard to yourself and other road users. No matter how good you are at towing, you can never tow a badly maintained trailer well and safely.
Regular (Annual) Checks
Wheel Bearings & Brakes
- Service your trailer’s wheel bearings every 12 months or 20,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Annual service is recommended regardless of mileage due to moisture buildup, which will seriously diminish the effectiveness of bearing grease and cause early bearing failure. Also, when servicing wheel bearings, make certain that a high-quality, high-temperature wheel bearing grease is used. The use of incorrect grease will lead to bearing failure.
- Brakes, whether hydraulic or electric should be checked at least annually by a qualified mechanic or auto-electrician. Hydraulic brakes may need to be bled, and hydraulic fluid should be checked regularly.
| 
