increase font size
Before heading off with a trailer or caravan in tow, first check the towbar to ensure all bolts attaching it to the vehicle are tight, there is no corrosion present or cracking in the welds or structure and that the towball itself is secured properly to the tongue, says towbar maker Best Bars.
“Even though a towbar may look OK, all may not be right. Some towbars are made from inferior steel which doesn’t meet the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines.
“If a new towbar is required, ensure it has been designed to NZ Standard 5467:1993 and carries a metal tamper-proof label to identify it. Cheap imported towbars or those available online may use inferior parts and/or be poorly designed.
“Make sure the towball is correctly matched to the trailer or caravan coupling – there are two main sizes of towball used in New Zealand (1 7/8-inch and 50mm).”
A safety chain must be used between the towing vehicle and lighter trailer/caravan; double chains are required if the weight of the towed load exceeds 2000kg.
When packing a caravan, trailer or boat, ensure the load on the towball tongue does not exceed the recommended tongue weight (stated on the label). Too much weight may cause stability problems and put undue load on the towbar and connection to the vehicle chassis.
Incorrect loading leading to trailer ‘snaking’ or swaying in motion indicates load imbalance. A load leveller that fits onto the drawbar of the trailer and connects to the towbar on the towing vehicle can help to redress the imbalance through redistributing the load, so the weight is transferred further forward.
www.bestbars.co.nz
An evolution of ATV and quad rollover protection, the AR quad safety bar uses compressed gas and an electronic control system to offer fully automated, pneumatic roll-over protection – with full deployment in less than 250 milliseconds.
A petition to get seat belts on school buses has been presented to Parliament.
Leading New Zealand rural insurer, FMG says nesting birds continue to account for around $700,000 worth of tractor fire claims each year.
Farmers are being warned to check their fuel tanks following a fuel tanker driver being seriously injured on a farm.
It took 10 minutes for co-workers to free the victim’s hand from the machine.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
OPINION: Is it now time for the country's top agricultural university to start thinking about a name change - something…
OPINION: If David Seymour's much-trumpeted Ministry for Regulation wants a serious job they need look no further than reviewing the…
