Loads must be safely distributed and securely tied down. You should avoid carrying loads that extend over the side of the trailer while it’s being towed. Loads may extend over the side and rear of trailers provided the following limits are not exceeded:
- Loads (other than poles intended for use by telephone or electricity
services) must not project more than 3 metres beyond the rearmost part of a trailer.
Loads overhanging to the rear by more than 1 metre must be marked
during the day with a red flag or cloth which is at least 300 millimetres square (about 12 inches square). However, at night time, overhanging loads must be fitted with a red reflector and a red light.
Loads (other than loose agricultural produce which is not baled or in
crates) must not project more than 300 millimetres (about 12 inches square) over the outermost point of the side of the trailer. At night, these loads must be fitted with lights showing a white light to the front and a red light to the rear. These lights must be placed as close as possible to the outermost point of the load.
If possible, loads should be evenly distributed across the trailer and positioned in such a way as to keep the nose weight (that is, the weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the coupling) within the recommended limits for the drawing vehicle. Consult the owner’s handbook for further details. If you have to carry a load that cannot be evenly distributed, make sure it is properly restrained and that individual axles or the drawbar are not overloaded. You might have to reduce the overall load to achieve this.
When towing a trailer, the maximum speed at which the vehicle can
travel may be different from the posted speed limit. Please see page 121 for more information.
Further information on towing different loads safely and calculating the towing capacity of a vehicle is available on www.rsa.ie.