Trailer Safety
Tow your trailer safely and securely with the
required equipment, proper maintenance and
safe-driving tips
Trailer safety
Towing a utility trailer, camper trailer or boat trailer?
Inside, you’ll find tips about these important topics:
• trailer and vehicle sizes
• equipment
• maintenance
• preparation
• driving safely, with your trailer in tow
Please note that the information in this brochure does
not apply to commercial trailers and farm implements.
For more information visit mpi.mb.ca.
Registering your trailer
Here are some terms you should be familiar with when
you register your trailer:
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum
loaded weight a trailer can be. GVWR is specified
either by the trailer manufacturer on the compliance
label or by provincial authorities.
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the actual weight of
your trailer when you are towing it. GVW is the total
of the curb weight (found in the owner’s manual) and
the weight of what you typically carry in the trailer (for
example, bikes, barbeque, watercraft, etc).
A trailer cannot be registered for more than its GVWR,
nor for less than its curb weight. Talk to your Autopac
agent about what weight you should register your
trailer at.
Certain inspection requirements apply to trailers with
a GVWR of 4,500 kilograms (9,920 pounds) or more.
Exemptions may apply for some trailers, such as those
designed or modified for the purpose of mobile living
accommodation.
If your trailer’s GVW is more than 4,540 kg (10,000 lb)
you must hold a Class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s licence.
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Weighing your trailer
Owners can weigh their vehicles at vehicle
weigh scales located throughout the province.
Visit gov.mb.ca/mit/mcd for more information.
1. Weigh each axle on the tow vehicle separately
and compare with the compliance label to
ensure individual axles are not over-loaded.
2. Weigh the whole vehicle to ensure it is under
the GVWR.
3. Weigh the trailer, all wheels at one time,
and compare to the trailer manufacturer’s
compliance label.
Exceeding the manufacturer’s Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR) may affect the vehicle warranty.
Trailer and vehicle size
Whether your vehicle and your trailer are
attached or apart, each one can be up to:
• 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) wide
• 4.15 m (13 ft 6 in) tall — including anything that
sticks up, like antennas or air conditioners
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When attached, your towing vehicle and trailer can
be up to 21.5 m (70 ft) long. When apart, each can
be up to 12.5 m (41 ft) long.
The trailer can be up to 14.65 m/48 ft if it meets the
following criteria:
• two thirds or more of the length of the vehicle is de-
signed as temporary living quarters,
• it is attached to the truck by a 5th wheel coupler, and
• a substantial portion of the vehicle’s weight rests on
the truck.
The maximum combined truck and trailer length of
21.5 m (70 ft) still applies to 5th wheel trailers that are
eligible to be up to 14.65 m (48 ft).
In Manitoba, you can pull two trailers if you meet
these three requirements:
• You must use a fifth-wheel hitch for the first trailer to
pull another trailer behind it.
• The combined weight of the trailers isn’t more than
twice your vehicle’s registered gross vehicle weight.
• The combined length of your vehicle with two trailers
attached is no more than 23 m (75 ft).
Match your trailer and
towing vehicle
Make sure your trailer and your vehicle match. Never
tow a trailer that’s too large or too heavy.
You’ll need to consider these two factors:
• how heavy your trailer is when loaded
• how much power your vehicle has (check the owner’s
manual and compare your vehicle’s towing capacity to
the weight of the trailer you’re towing)
Unsure if your trailer and your vehicle are a proper
match? Check with a dealer who sells that type of
vehicle, or its manufacturer.
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Equipment
Hitches
There are two main factors to consider when using
a hitch:
• how you attach the hitch to your vehicle
• how you attach your trailer to the hitch
To attach the hitch to your vehicle properly, you must
bolt it to your vehicle’s frame.
To attach your trailer to the hitch properly, you must
use two methods, so that it doesn’t come apart:
• By tow-bar, which is connected to the hitch.
• By safety chains or cables. These must be loose enough
to allow you to turn right and left, and be capable of
supporting the weight of both the trailer and the load.
If your trailer weighs more than 910 kg (2,000 lb)
use a weight-distributing or equalizing hitch instead of
a frame hitch. Transferring part of your trailer’s weight
towards the front of your towing vehicle gives you a
smoother ride and more control.
Frame hitch
Weight-distributing hitch
(Equalizing hitch)
Make sure the hitch allows a clear view of your vehicle’s
rear licence plate when you’re not towing a trailer.
If your trailer is longer than 5.2 m (17 ft) use an
anti-sway device to keep your trailer stable.
Trailer brakes
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If your trailer’s registered gross vehicle weight is more than
1,360 kg (2,998 lb), the law says it must have brakes.
The law doesn’t require brakes on lighter trailers. But
they’re still a good idea because they help you stop
more efficiently.
If your trailer has no brakes, your vehicle’s brakes must
work that much harder. When you’re slowing down,
your trailer’s weight pushes your vehicle forward.
Brakes on your trailer help prevent this from happening
because they work with your vehicle’s brakes for added
stopping power.
That helps you stop faster and shorter.
Trailer brakes should have a breakaway device to stop
the trailer, in case it separates from the tow hitch.
Lighting and reflectors for trailers
Your trailer must have all the following lights:
• two red tail lights at the rear (one per side)
• two red stop lights at the rear (one per side)
• two red or amber turn signal lights at the rear
(one per side)
• side marker lights (amber at the front, red at the rear)
• a white licence plate light
If your trailer is 2.05 m (80 in) wide or wider, it must also
have these lights:
• amber clearance lights at the front
• red clearance lights at the back
• three red identification lights at the back
Your trailer must have all the following reflectors:
• two red reflex reflectors, one per side facing backward
• two red reflex reflectors at rear, one per side
facing sideward
• two amber reflex reflectors at front, one per side
facing sideward
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Many trailer lights have reflectors built within the lights,
but that isn’t always the case. Check to ensure you have
the required reflex reflectors.
If your trailer is 9.1 m (30 ft) or longer, two amber side
marker lamps are required.
If your load extends more than 1 m (39 in) beyond
the rear of your trailer, you must have a red light or
reflector at the end of the load. In daylight, you must
attach a red flag not less than 30 cm square, visible at a
distance of 60 m.
Lighting connections between your trailer and your
vehicle should include an independent ground wire.
Mirrors for your towing vehicle
When you’re pulling a trailer, you must have a clear
view to the rear of your trailer. To do this, you may need
to reposition your vehicle’s mirrors or add extended
mirrors.
When you’re not towing your trailer, remove any
mirrors you’ve added to your towing vehicle.
Tires
Trailer tires must be DOT (Department of Transport)
approved or contain the National Safety Marking and be
rated for the GVWR of the trailer they are attached to.
For safety sake, keep your trailer’s tires at the pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Check your tire pressure before driving, when your
tires are cold.
Underinflation may cause sway, while overinflation
may cause a rough ride. Too little or too much air
pressure can also cause severe tire wear, blowouts or
loss of control.
While you may need more air pressure in your vehicle’s
rear tires to compensate for the trailer load, never
inflate them more than the manufacturer recommends.
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Trailer splashguards or fenders
When you’re towing your trailer, it must have either
splashguards or fenders.
Trailer package
If you’re towing a heavy trailer, your vehicle needs
heavy-duty equipment.
Start by installing a trailer package, which includes
these upgrades:
• oversized radiator
• transmission cooler
• anti-sway bar
• heavier rear suspension
Other equipment
Keep these items on hand in case of emergency:
• flags and reflectors (or flares)
• fire extinguisher
• tool kit (wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and a hammer)
• spare tire
• special jack for the trailer
• blocks for parking
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Maintenance
Axle care: boat trailers and water
After long drives, trailer wheel bearings get hot. Before
backing your boat trailer into water, give the wheel
bearings time to cool.
Immersing hot wheel bearings in water causes sudden
cooling. It can also draw water into the hubs, thinning
the axle oil. In turn, this contaminated oil can damage the
axle.
Lubrication
Lubricating your vehicle and trailer properly helps keep
both operating smoothly and safely.
Pay close attention to your vehicle’s transmission oil.
With the added stress of pulling a trailer, you need to
change it more often.
Grease the wheel bearings on your trailer each year.
Poor lubrication could lead to wheel bearing failure
which could cause a wheel to drag or an axle to break.
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Preparation
General tips
Practice towing your trailer away from traffic. You’ll
become more skilled at handling your trailer, and gain
confidence.
• Turn off all propane appliances including shut-off
valves on the propane tanks.
• Make sure all the lights work and the hitch and chain
connections are secure.
• Check that your tires are in good shape and properly
inflated, lug nuts or bolts are tight, the load is secure,
vents are closed, the breakaway switch is connected
and the trailer is riding level.
• Limit the weight on the hitch or else the tow vehicle’s
back end will be pushed down. This will strain the rear
springs, tires and axle and also affect steering, braking,
headlight aim and mirror alignment.
• Check the tongue weight of your trailer (see the Trailer
classifications table in this brochure) and adjust the
load as needed. Keeping enough weight on the hitch
prevents fishtailing.
Inspect the engine cooling system. If your trailer has
brakes, inspect the linings each year.
Key point about loading your vehicle
Don’t overload your vehicle’s trunk. Too much weight at
the back will raise your vehicle’s front end. That affects
your steering, braking, headlights and mirrors.
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Key points about loading
your trailer
• While your trailer is being towed, it’s illegal for
passengers to ride in it.
• In an open trailer, you must secure your load to make
sure it doesn’t fall out.
• Keep the load 91 kg (200 lb) below the rated capacity.
• On utility trailers, keep heavy loads between axles.
• Divide your load evenly on each side and secure it
there, to prevent sway.
• Keep heavy items low in the trailer— either on the
floor or in lower cupboards.
• To prevent sway, keep water tanks either full or empty.
• On a boat trailer, place the heaviest load where the hull
support is the greatest (usually over the keel). Adjust
the roller and hull support so that it supports all points.
• If your boat or utility trailer is empty, avoid braking too
hard. This may cause your trailer to swerve severely.
• An empty trailer may be harder to control on bumps
and turns.
Checking your trailer’s tongue weight
ou will need a 2 x 4 board, two pieces of pipe, a
Y
brick and a bathroom scale (see diagram opposite).
1. Place the 2 x 4 on the two round pieces.
2. Screw the jack extension down on the top of the
2 x 4 until it supports your trailer.
3. M
ultiply the reading on a bathroom scale by three.
This is the tongue weight of your trailer.
4. If you exceed the capacity of the scale, increase the
two-foot dimension to three or four or more feet,
but always multiply the scale reading by the total
number of feet between the brick and the scale.
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Is your trailer’s tongue
weight correct?
What the tongue weight should be depends on the type
of hitch.
For fifth-wheel hitches, tongue weight can be up to
25 per cent of your trailer’s Gross Trailer Weight
(GTW). For all other hitches, tongue weight should be
10 to 15 per cent of your trailer’s GTW.
If the tongue weight is too high, shift your trailer’s
contents to the back. If the tongue weight is too low,
shift your trailer’s contents to the front.
After adjusting your trailer’s load to the back or front,
recheck the tongue weight to make sure it’s correct.
60 cm (2 ft) 30 cm (1 ft)
Pipe
Bathroom Scale Brick
Caution: be sure the trailer is level when you read the scale.
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Driving safely with your
trailer in tow
Take it slow and steady
• Accelerate slowly. Fast starts put strain on your
power train.
• Steer gently. Sudden turns of the wheel can cause
swaying or even an upset.
• Stop gradually, by applying your brakes at intervals to
prevent overheating and wear.
• Drive at a steady speed. Drive at the speed limit or
below, but avoid going too slowly. If traffic lines up
behind you, pull over and let it pass.
• If it’s rainy or windy, slow down.
Passing
• Be especially careful when passing. Allow at least
twice the normal passing distance — your trailer’s add-
ed weight slows you down. That means it’ll take longer
for you to pass.
• When returning to the right lane, move over gradually
and allow enough space for your trailer.
Being passed
• Stay in the right lane.
• Leave enough room ahead for the passing vehicle to
re-enter the lane.
• If cars are lining up behind you, pull over, stop and let
them pass.
• Avoid driving on the shoulder.
• If a bus or semi is passing you, limit swerving by
gripping the steering wheel firmly and accelerating
slightly. This will help you regain control.
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Following
• For every 16 km/h (10 mph), leave at least two trailer
lengths between your vehicle and traffic ahead of
you. That’s more space than you’d need if you weren’t
pulling a trailer, but there’s a good reason for it: pulling
a trailer increases the distance you need to stop.
Turning
• Avoid sharp turns.
• Allow for the length of the trailer behind you. Check
the traffic carefully and pull straight ahead about half
a metre (18 in) before turning. This will prevent the
trailer from cutting the corner too sharply.
Curves
• When going around a curve to your left, keep to the
right side of the lane. This prevents you from crossing
the centre line.
• When rounding a curve to your right, stay in
the centre of the lane, away from the shoulder.
Grades
• Downhill, use your engine to slow down by
downshifting. Brake on and off, not continuously.
• Uphill, get more pulling power by downshifting.
Backing up
• Check the conditions (ground, clearance,
pedestrians and other vehicles) before backing up.
• Before backing up, ask someone to act as a guide and
agree on the signals you’ll use. Make sure the guide is
standing on your driver’s side to be easily seen.
• Back out of traffic, not into it.
• If possible, back in a curve on the driver’s side. This
gives a better view and better control.
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• Back up slowly and check both sides. Do not depend
entirely on mirrors to judge the distance to the rear.
• If you don’t have a guide, check the conditions and
back up promptly. Remember, conditions may change
quickly. If your trailer starts to jackknife, stop, pull
straight ahead, and start again.
• Practice backing up away from traffic until you can
do it smoothly.
Parking
• When parking on a highway, park away from
curves and hills and clear of the pavement.
• Park where you won’t block the view of
oncoming traffic.
• Avoid parking on soft ground.
• Always apply the tow vehicle’s parking brake.
• Always block your wheels.
• Choose a level spot for parking overnight.
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Trailer classifications
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) Tongue Weight Types of Trailers
(including load items) (weight on hitch)
Light Duty under 910 kg 91 kg (200 lb) tent, snowmobile,
(2,000 lb) or 10 per cent of GTW motorcycle, utility and
light boat trailers
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Medium Duty 911–1,820 kg 10–15 per cent of GTW travel trailers up to
(2,001–4,000 lb) 5.5 m (18 ft)
and boat trailers
Heavy Duty 1,821–2,730 kg 10–15 per cent of GTW large dual-axle
(4,001–6,000 lb) trailers
Extra Heavy Duty 2,731–4,540 kg 10–15 per cent of GTW largest recreational
(6,001–10,000 lb) trailers
Need more information?
Call us: 204-985-0920 (in Winnipeg) or
1-866-323-0542 (toll-free outside Winnipeg).
Our mailing address is:
Manitoba Public Insurance
Box 45064 Regent Postal Outlet
Winnipeg, MB, R2C 5C7
Visit us at mpi.mb.ca.
This brochure is for general information only.
All charges and fines are subject to change.
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Notes
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