Why Every Tow Needs a Checklist
Towing a trailer in Australia isn't something you should wing. Each year, hundreds of road incidents involve trailers — from detached loads on the Hume Freeway to tyre blowouts on regional highways. Most of these are preventable with a simple, systematic pre-tow inspection.
Whether you're hiring a trailer through TrailerConnect for a weekend move or towing your own rig to a campsite, running through a checklist every single time protects you, your passengers, other road users, and your hip pocket. A single incident can mean thousands in repairs, demerit points, and potential criminal liability if someone is injured.
This guide gives you a step-by-step towing checklist you can bookmark, print, and use before every trip — covering everything from coupling to cruising speed.
Before You Hitch Up: Vehicle and Licence Checks
1. Confirm Your Licence Class
In Australia, a standard car licence (Class C) allows you to tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) up to 750 kg without trailer brakes, or a heavier trailer provided it has its own braking system and the combined Gross Combined Mass (GCM) doesn't exceed your vehicle's rated limit. If the trailer's GTM exceeds 4,500 kg, you'll need an LR or higher licence class. Check your state or territory's transport authority website for specifics.
2. Know Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity
Every tow vehicle has two critical numbers listed in the owner's manual or on the compliance plate:
- Maximum tow capacity — the heaviest trailer your vehicle can legally pull (braked and unbraked ratings differ).
- Gross Combined Mass (GCM) — the maximum total weight of your vehicle plus the trailer and all their contents combined.
Exceeding either figure is illegal and dangerous. A common mistake is only checking tow capacity while ignoring GCM. A fully loaded ute towing a heavy trailer can easily bust the GCM limit even if the trailer itself is within tow capacity.
3. Check Your Tow Ball and Coupling Compatibility
The most common tow ball size in Australia is 50 mm, but some older or imported trailers use different fittings. Ensure the trailer coupling matches your tow ball exactly — a loose or mismatched connection is a recipe for disaster.
The Pre-Departure Towing Checklist
Run through every item below before you pull out of the driveway. No exceptions.
Coupling and Connection
- Coupling locked — The trailer coupling is fully seated on the tow ball and the locking mechanism is engaged. Give it a firm upward tug to confirm.
- Safety chains crossed — Attach safety chains in an X-pattern beneath the coupling. This catches the drawbar if the coupling fails. Chains must be rated to the trailer's GTM.
- Jockey wheel raised and secured — Retract the jockey wheel fully and lock the clamp so it can't drop during transit.
- Electrical plug connected — Plug in the trailer wiring (7-pin flat or round is standard in Australia) and test every light individually.
- Breakaway system tested — If the trailer has electric brakes, the breakaway cable or chain must be attached to the tow vehicle. Pull the pin to confirm the breakaway battery activates the brakes, then reset.
Lights and Electrical
- Left indicator — Working and visible.
- Right indicator — Working and visible.
- Brake lights — Have someone press the brake pedal while you check.
- Tail lights / parking lights — On and bright.
- Number plate light — Illuminating the trailer's registration plate.
- Reflectors — Clean and unobstructed.
Faulty trailer lights are one of the most common reasons police pull over tow rigs. It's also a leading cause of rear-end collisions at night.
Tyres, Wheels, and Bearings
- Tyre pressure — Inflate to the trailer manufacturer's recommendation (typically 28–36 psi for light trailers). Check when tyres are cold.
- Tyre condition — Look for cracks, bulges, or tread depth below 1.5 mm (the legal minimum in all Australian states).
- Wheel nuts — Torqued to specification. Re-check after the first 50–100 km of travel.
- Wheel bearings — Spin each wheel by hand. It should rotate freely without grinding or excessive play. If you notice heat after a short drive, the bearings may need repacking.
- Spare tyre — Present, inflated, and accessible. Don't forget a wheel brace that fits the trailer's wheel nuts (they're often a different size to your car's).
Brakes
- Mechanical override brakes — Push the trailer forward by hand to confirm the override coupling activates. Check brake pads or shoes for wear.
- Electric brakes — Use the in-cab controller to apply trailer brakes at low speed. The trailer should pull back noticeably.
- Handbrake / park brake — Engage and confirm it holds the trailer on a slight incline.
Remember: any trailer with a GTM over 750 kg must have its own braking system in Australia. If you're hiring a trailer on TrailerConnect and the listing states it has brakes, verify they actually work before you drive off.
Loading the Trailer Correctly
Improper loading causes trailer sway — the single most dangerous towing scenario. Here's how to get it right:
- 60/40 rule — Place approximately 60% of the load weight in the front half of the trailer (closest to the tow vehicle) and 40% in the rear.
- Tow ball weight — Aim for tow ball download of roughly 10% of the total trailer weight, but never exceed your tow ball's rated capacity (commonly 150–350 kg for passenger vehicles).
- Low and centred — Keep heavy items on the floor and centred between the wheels. Never stack heavy items high or to one side.
- Secured properly — Use ratchet straps rated for the load weight. Tie down to designated anchor points, not the trailer's cage mesh. The load must not shift, slide, or fall.
| Load Placement | Effect on Trailer | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Too much weight at rear | Light tow ball, trailer sway | High — potential loss of control |
| Too much weight at front | Excess tow ball load, rear axle sag on tow vehicle | Medium — steering and braking affected |
| Weight shifted to one side | Uneven tyre wear, pulling to one side | Medium — tyre blowout risk |
| 60/40 split, low and centred | Stable, predictable handling | Low — ideal |
On-Road Driving Tips
Speed Limits
In most Australian states, the general speed limit while towing is 100 km/h on highways, though some jurisdictions and specific roads have lower limits for towing vehicles. In Western Australia, for instance, trailers without brakes are limited to 80 km/h. Always check local signage and state regulations.
Safe Following Distance
The standard three-second gap becomes a four-to-five-second gap when towing. Your combined vehicle length is longer, your braking distance is significantly greater, and you need more room to react. In wet conditions, double it.
Cornering and Reversing
- Wide turns — The trailer tracks inside your vehicle's path. Swing wider on left-hand turns to avoid clipping kerbs or bollards.
- Reversing — Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move your hand in the direction you want the trailer's rear to go. Go slowly. Use a spotter whenever possible.
Dealing with Trailer Sway
If the trailer begins to sway:
- Do NOT brake hard or steer sharply.
- Ease off the accelerator gradually.
- If you have an electric brake controller, gently apply trailer brakes only.
- Hold the steering wheel firmly and straight.
- Once stable, pull over safely and check your load distribution.
During the Trip: Ongoing Checks
Your checklist doesn't end at the driveway. Build these checks into every stop:
- First 50 km stop — Re-check wheel nuts, coupling, and safety chains. This is when loose components reveal themselves.
- Every fuel stop — Check tyre pressures and temperature (feel each hub for excessive heat). Verify the load hasn't shifted. Confirm all lights still work.
- After rough roads — Inspect for cracked welds, loose bolts, and shifted cargo. Gravel roads punish trailers harder than sealed surfaces.
Legal Requirements by State: Quick Reference
| Requirement | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailer registration required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety chains mandatory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brakes required over 750 kg GTM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max highway speed (towing) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100* | 100 |
| Number plate on trailer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*WA: 80 km/h limit for trailers without brakes.
Printable Checklist Summary
Save this quick-reference list on your phone or print it out:
- Licence class confirmed for trailer weight
- Vehicle tow capacity and GCM not exceeded
- Coupling locked, safety chains crossed
- Jockey wheel raised and secured
- All lights tested and working
- Breakaway system connected and tested
- Tyres inflated and in good condition
- Wheel nuts torqued
- Bearings checked
- Brakes functional (override or electric)
- Load secured — 60/40 split, low, centred
- Tow ball weight within limits
- Spare tyre and tools on board
- Mirrors provide clear rear vision (extension mirrors if needed)
- Registration current and plates visible
Final Thoughts
A towing checklist takes five to ten minutes. Skipping it can cost you a fine starting from $400 in most states, a damaged trailer, a ruined vehicle — or far worse. Build the habit of checking every item, every time, no matter how short the trip.
When you hire a trailer through TrailerConnect, you benefit from owner-maintained equipment and detailed listing descriptions, but you're still the driver. It's your responsibility to verify the trailer is roadworthy and properly connected before you leave. Take the time. Do the checks. Arrive safely.