Before you leave: the pre-tow checklist
- Hitch locked — the ball must be fully seated in the coupling and the locking lever secured.
- Safety chains crossed — cross the chains under the drawbar in an X pattern so they form a cradle if the trailer uncouples.
- Lights connected and working — test brake lights, indicators, and reverse lights before leaving.
- Tyre pressure — check both trailer tyres and your vehicle's tyres. Correct pressures are critical for stability.
- Load secured — use ratchet straps or rope. Nothing should be loose or able to shift while moving.
- Tow ball download — heavier items should be positioned over the axle or slightly forward. Too much weight at the rear causes sway.
Speed limits when towing
Towing speed rules differ by state. In New South Wales, a light vehicle towing a trailer is limited to 100 km/h even where a higher limit is posted. In Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia there is no special towing speed limit for light vehicles — you travel at the posted limit and drive to conditions when loaded.
Heavy combinations (a vehicle over 4.5 tonnes GVM, or towing that pushes you over it) are capped at 100 km/h nationally, and lower limits can apply if a trailer's ATM exceeds certain thresholds. Always check the rules in the state you're driving in.
Load distribution
Correct load distribution is the most important factor in trailer stability:
- Aim for 60% of the load weight in the front half of the trailer (over and slightly forward of the axle)
- Keep heavy items low and centred
- Tow ball download should be 8–12% of total loaded trailer weight
- Never load the trailer heavier at the rear — this is the primary cause of trailer sway
Dealing with trailer sway
Trailer sway (fishtailing) is alarming but manageable if you react correctly:
- Do not brake suddenly — this can make sway worse
- Hold the steering wheel firmly and steer straight
- Gently accelerate briefly to pull the trailer back inline, then gradually ease off
- Slow down gradually to below the speed where sway began
Modern vehicles with stability control (ESP) will often intervene automatically. If sway keeps recurring, the load is not distributed correctly — stop and redistribute.
Reversing with a trailer
Reversing takes practice. The key principle: to steer the trailer left, turn your steering wheel to the right (and vice versa). Go slowly. Use your mirrors. If you get confused, pull forward and try again — never reverse blind.
Australian towing laws summary
- Standard car licence covers towing most trailers (up to 9 tonnes GTM)
- Trailers over 750kg GTM must have brakes
- Trailers over 2,000kg GTM require a brake controller in the towing vehicle
- Safety chains are mandatory
- All trailer lights must function
- Towing speed limit is 100 km/h in NSW; other states follow the posted limit (heavy combinations over 4.5t GVM are capped at 100 km/h nationally)