Eight out of 10 drivers not confident of towing for first time
Fri, 14 Apr 2023
Eight of out 10 of drivers would not be confident towing for the first time, according to a recent survey by Skoda UK, with 65% citing reverse parking as their biggest worry.
New legislation has allowed more than 18 million extra drivers in the UK to tow a trailer without additional training.
The change in law, which came into effect in December 2021, means fully qualified drivers are now able to tow a trailer weighing up to 3500 kg MAM (‘Maximum Authorised Mass’) without the need for an additional license.
Of the 39% of drivers who had experience towing a trailer, more than half (55%) said that the biggest problem when doing so was reverse parking, with 50% also citing general reversing manoeuvres as an issue.
The survey revealed that many drivers who had towed in the past had hit items, including a gate post, a corner of a building, and a lamp post.
The most common item towed by drivers was a caravan, followed by a trailer for equipment such as boats and jet skis, and then a trailer tent with their vehicle. Despite the new legislation, only 14% of respondents were aware of the change in rules.
Drivers can still face fines of up to £2500 if the correct tow bar is not used, and extended mirrors should be fitted for an unrestricted view of the road to avoid an additional £1000 fine.
Skoda UK offers a tow bar as an option on each model in its line-up, from smaller cars such as the Skoda Fabia, Skoda Scala, and Skoda Kamiq, to larger vehicles like the Skoda Superb.
It's also available on the popular Skoda Octavia, plus SUVs like the Skoda Karoq and seven seat Skoda Kodiaq, as well as the all-electric Skoda Enyaq iV and Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV.
The Skoda Karoq was named Towcar of the Year at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2023, while the Skoda Karoq and Skoda Scala both took top honours at the What Car? Tow Car Awards 2022.
The Skoda Kodiaq L&K is available with additional technologies to make towing even lighter work, including Trailer Assist and an electrically folding tow bar. It can automatically steer a trailer or caravan to a chosen point when reversing, while also displaying a clear area view on the vehicle’s central touchscreen to give the driver an overview of the manoeuvre.
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