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Not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I didn't think it fitted under the Caravans heading as it's only a tiny trailer...

Anyway, I have a question about towing a small trailer. I have an Erde 102 which is plenty big enough for all I need to put in it. The trailer was dirt cheap off Ebay, perfect size for me to move about, easy to attach to my 4x4, etc.

The problem is, it's so small, I can't see it when I'm driving!

So I can't reverse with it on, as I can't see where it is, and I am constantly worried that it will somehow "fall off" enroute and cause a massive accident that I don't even notice and I'll get to the campsite and go to unhitch it and it's not there anymore!

I'd love to me able to see it better when I am towing it, can anyone suggest how I can do that? If I get those massive big caravan-type mirrors, would I be able to see it in them? If I got one of the 30cm height add-on things (like this) would I be able to see it then? Is there some kind of flag or something which I can attach to the trailer just so I can see it is still with me?

On my way up to Rendlesham last week, I had to pull over 3 times on the 4 hour journey just to check it was still attached! It's so bad that sometimes I can't even see it in my side mirrors when I am going round a roundabout - it has to be a tight turn for me to be able to see it.

I'd just like to be able to check every 10 mins or so to give myself peace of mind that it's still there :)

Sorry for rambling...

Ooooh - and I've just been reading some old threads on the topic, and have another question - what's a breakaway cable, and do I need one for an Erde 102?

Hi

i have  an erde 102 trailer and with my estate car full i cannot see the trailer but surely you can feel it being towed. If your back window is clear attach a pole mid triler then you will be able to see it atached to your towbar

cheers

steve

Thanks folks, much appreciated! Might buy one of those plasticy things that go on the rear window and see what I think.

Steve (Sweeney) - no, I can't feel it, it's light as a feather, that's what was disconcerting me. In a smaller car I can feel it, but not in my 4x4.

Smee05 - ummmm I don't think it beeps when I flash my indicators... is that a legal requirement? So is something wrong with my setup? I had the towbar fitted about 4 months ago by a 4x4 specialist, and I bought the trailer 2nd hand - if it's meant to beep, and doesn't, would the problem be with the trailer or with the car electrics?

Grampian91 - There is a small chain attached to the trailer, which I did loop around my towbar and then padlock, but it's a really small chain and I doubt it would hold the weight of the trailer - should I be buying a bigger chain from a hardware store and using a thicker chain & padlock?

Steve (Plossl) - thanks so much for the links, I think I might buy the 2nd one and give that a go, sounds just the ticket!

Many thanks all!

On our old trailer I used a bicyle chain lock as a secondry coupling - only cost a couple of quid.    Attached it to the trailer and the towbar - making sure that the trailer could still turn.    New trailer had a chain fitted that goes around the twoball.

Even with a big car/small trailer, you should see the trailer in the wingmirrors when you turn corners etc.   I always check, even though I now have a small car.

Hi Scubabe,

Just read your post and I have the exact same problem. Got a 102 and a Discovery Td5... can't reverse with the trailer for toffee! Also can't feel the trailer at all, even when I had over 100 bricks in it! I got one of these to reassure me, as the chain on the trailer doesn't look up to much...http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.towsure.com/product/1799-Secondary_Coupling_Cable_with_Snap_Hook. 

Also, don't know what you drive but my Disco flashes a trailer sign whenever you indicate.

As for visibility, I bolted one of these to it...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Childs-Safety-Flag-for-Trailer-Bumper-Avenir-Raleigh_W0QQitemZ130315489136QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL?hash=item1e57688f70&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Hope this helps!

Paul.

Oh wow!! Some fantastic suggestions there, thanks so much!

Paul Fletcher -  I'll be getting one of those coupling things, that'll reassure me that the trailer won't fall off and go barrelling down a hill in the opposite direction to me :)

And wheresmykeys, wow, what a fab idea, and so easy! I'm not the most technical of gals (still can't work out how on earth to attach my numberplate to my trailer LOL) but even I reckon I could manage the brush handle and tennis ball malarky, a realy simple solution to my dilemma - and cheap too!!

Thanks heaps folk, this is why I love UKCS, so many great minds!!

Cheers!

Ness

Our new trailer is deep enough for me to see it in the rearview mirror but our old one was too shallow for that and I could only see it as I went round sharp corners.

I cut up an old fishing rod and attached one length at the front of the trailer, in the middle and another in line with it at the back. I used two old campsite pennants at the top of each one so that I could see them fluttering as I drove along.

These made reversing a doddle as I could easily see who far the trailer was turning by the position of the pennants.

My new trailer came with a stout safety chain held to the trailer by one of the bolts that holds on the coupling.

I padlock this to the breakaway cable clip on the tow bar. 2 reasons for this, one is if it does break away, it aint going anywwhere, and, two, I can park anywhere in the knowledge that if some light fingered swine is going to make off with my trailer, he will need a crowbar or bolt cutters.