Trail-a-Mate Service Kit MKII - SKMII

If you're kitting out your towing set up in preparation for a camping trip with the family, hauling tools to the worksite, or just doing the occasional tip run, choosing the right jockey wheel for your application is essential. With a few different variations on offer and all catering to different applications and towing setups, it can be challenging deciding which jockey wheel to choose to make attaching, detaching and manoeuvring your trailer easier.

How do I keep my trailer secured and locked up? Whether you tow an expensive caravan, camper trailer or a box trailer with an expensive library of tools, keeping your trailer safe from pesky thieves has never been easier. With more anti-theft devices on the market than ever, locking up your trailer is a breeze. A coupling lock is a handy accessory which are used to secure your trailer when it has been disconnected. Coupling locks prevent your trailer from being connected to a tow ball and being stolen when out of sight. Some coupling locks also allow the trailer to be locked to your own tow vehicle so it can't be removed without a key.

Tow ball weight scales suit standard 50mm couplings and ensure an accurate weight reading so you can balance your load easily and safely without any guesswork or damaged towing components. What is tow ball weight and why do I need to measure it? When loading up your trailer or caravan, most of the weight is supported by the trailer's suspension, however, some of the weight is applied to the trailer coupling, tow ball, tow bar and chassis of the car. This weight at the coupling is known as tow ball weight. Tow ball weight varies every time you load your trailer, being higher with more weight at the front of the trailer or lower with more weight at the back. Trailers that are too heavy in the rear are also susceptible to dangerous handling characteristics and swaying, so balancing this weight is imperative as towing setups carry a maximum ball weight limit which cannot be exceeded for legality and safety reasons.

Weight distribution is one of the main things to take into consideration for towing safely. How the weight is distributed about the trailer or caravan and how the weight is applied to the vehicle and has huge impacts on traction, braking and steering. When towing, altering the vehicle's weight balance is inevitable, but balancing the weight as best as possible is essential for safe towing. With too much weight on the front of the trailer, weight over the rear axles of the car increases, causing the front end to become light, reducing steering and braking effectiveness. With too much weight at the rear of the trailer however, dangerous handling characteristics such as swaying and snaking pose a whole new set of issues.