FAQ
The New BPW iSC stability coupling will be fitted as standard on all Velocity RS car trailers from 5th January 2015.
The ball coupling is fitted with spring-loaded friction pads which surround the ball coupling of the towing vehicle from the front and the rear. This reduces or prevents any pitching and rolling movement by the trailer.
Based on the proven design of the Winterhoff WS3000 coupling this device offers unrivalled performance.
In our downloads section you can see bench test results of the WS3000 out performing the equivalent AL-KO and Westfalia models.
It is very important to make sure the towing vehicle has a high enough towing capacity. You can find this information in the vehicle handbook or from the vehicle manufacturer.
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the trailer must not exceed the rated towing weight of the vehicle. By law this based on the Gross Weight shown on the trailer VIN plate.
If for example you tow a Velocity RS with an empty weight of 950kg, plus you race car weighing 600kg you could have the vehicle built with a plated weight of 2000kg rather than the full 3000kg. This will allow you to tow behind a vehicle with a lower capacity.
When towing it is important to maintain the towing vehicle regularly, this should include tyre pressure, brakes, lighting, etc.
Depending on which coupling head you have fitted to your trailer this may vary slightly but the basics are the same.
We are soon adding video tutorials to our website and they will show the correct method of attachment for the Winterhoff WW30, Winterhoff WS3000 and BPW iSC trailer couplings.
1) Ensure that the tow vehicle’s tow bar is in good condition, if this is a removable type make sure it is secured correctly.
2) If using a stability type coupling (Winterhoff WS3000 or BPW iSC) then the vehicle tow ball should not be greased.
3) Lower the jockey wheel until the coupling head is higher than the towing ball and position the coupling head directly over the ball.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that the ball is not positioned too far back towards the trailer itself as this will not allow the tongue inside the coupling to click under the ball, instead it will be pushed up over.
4) Make sure the coupling is in the open position, with the handle in its up/open position. Lower the trailer nose onto the ball using the jockey wheel, once the ball in in the correct position the handle (WW30 only) will drop down and lock. The position indicator on the side should be in the GREEN position. If you have a stability coupling you should now be able to push down on the handle to lock it into the closed position. You should see the GREEN indicator pin protruding from above the coupling head and the GREEN indictor arrow on the side.
5) Closely inspect the coupling to make sure it is securely attached. Wind the jockey wheel all the way up, and where necessary loosen the jockey wheel clamp and raise the jockey wheel tube as high as possible then re-tighten the clamp. The jockey wheel itself must be tightened fully to prevent it from unwinding during transit.
6) Your trailer has a breakaway cable (usually blue), this must be connected to the towing vehicle. The clip should be attached to a loop or fixed component on the towing bracket. It is NOT legal to simply loop this cable around the tow ball itself.
The cable should be replaced if it ever becomes damaged or removed.
7) Your Eco-Trailer is fitted with the relatively new European standard 13 pin type lighting plug. Most UK vehicles still use the old 7 pin socket and therefore your trailer is supplied with a 7>13 pin adapter.
Plug the trailer cable into your towing vehicle making sure it is secure. If using the supplied adapter please make sure the 3 locators inside the plug are all twisted into the adapter. If it is not positioned correctly this can cause lighting problems.
The cable have enough length to allow free movement of the trailer when manoeuvring, but not long enough to rub on the ground during transit. Once it is connected you should always test the light function.
Please note that when using the adapter you will lose the Reverse light function and battery charge function.
8) Check the handbrake is in the off position, do a walk around check of the trailer making sure the load is secure, all doors are closed and locked and look under the trailer to make sure nothing is hanging down from the trailer and check the tyres look in a suitable condition and pressure. You are then ready to tow.
This is VERY IMPORTANT when towing both for safety but also comfort and stability.
The maximum nose weight of the coupling head is shown on the type plate of the coupling itself. This is normally 150kg for our Tempo and Velocity RS car trailers and 100kg for the Nano motorbike trailer.
We recommend with out Tempo and Velocity Enclosed car trailers that the nose weight when loaded be kept between 70kg and 120kg.
This should make towing comfortable and stable.
If the nose weight is too high you will feel the load on the back of the towing vehicle and this can make the ride quite harsh. If the nose weight is too low then the trailer will be unstable and can cause it to swerve at speed. Neither are desirable!
If you are towing the same cars regularly then there is a very simple process to ensure you always tow with the correct nose weight; 1) Couple your unloaded trailer to your car. (The unloaded nose weight is usually around 60kg). Measure the height of the coupling from the ground.
2) Load your trailer as usual making sure you have a positive nose weight.
3) Using a set of scales, lower the jockey wheel onto the scales and uncouple the trailer from the towing vehicle.
4) Move the towing vehicle away then lower the nose of the trailer using the jockey wheel until the coupling is the same height FROM THE GROUND (not the scales) as it was previously when unloaded on the towing vehicle.
5) Re-position the load inside the trailer until you have the desired nose weight (70kg – 120kg).
6) Position the telescopic wheel stop bar inside the trailer so it is touching the front wheels of the car, you can mark its position. This way when you next load it you can simply drive up to the bar.
7) Re-couple to the towing vehicle and unload your trailer. You can do this for each vehicle you transport ensuring safe towing on each journey. If you find that you often transport other equipment, spear wheels etc then this must be taken into account.
It is important that when loading you follow the correct procedure for safety but also to ensure no damage is done to the trailer or vehicle.
Please always follow these guidelines;
1) Position the trailer so that you have enough spare to open the rear door and unload the vehicle. The trailer should always be attached to the towing vehicle during loading.
2) Whilst the vehicle is still secured safely inside the trailer tilt the bed using the mechanism at the front. Do not exceed its maximum tilt which is reached when the bottom end of the outer tubing is 30mm above the steel ‘Z’ shaped mounting bracket.
We always recommend tilting this to the maximum amount possible allowed by the terrain. This means that the rear of the trailer and the legs on the rear door are as close as possible to the ground.
3) Open the rear door and check that the legs are close to the ground to prevent any overloading of the trailer bed.
4) Make sure the winch clutch is engaged and that the winch is holding the car in place. You can then remove the straps securing the car. Never stand behind the car when unstrapping it.
5) Stand clear of the vehicle and winch the car out using the wireless control. Always keep the car in the centre of the ramp, loading at an angle can damage the locks and ramp itself.
6) Loading is done in the same way, strapping of car is important and should be done using suitable straps with a load rating heavy enough for the load. The winch should not be relied on for securing the car during transit.
It is of great importance that the vehicle is secured properly.
We recommend at least one strap per wheel. The load rating of the straps should be at a minimum twice that of the load.
For a 2000kg load we recommend a 3000kg strap on each wheel. We can supply straps if you require them.
With straps you tend to get what you pay for, do not be tempted to buy cheap load straps.
All Eco-Trailer Car Trailers are built in conformity with European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA).
It is European law that any manufacturer of trailers must have this accreditation. We are recognised by RDW in The Netherlands and our workshop systems, quality control, product control and design are audited and monitored in line with ECWVTA.
This allows our trailers which are all supplied with a EC Certificate of Conformity to be registered in any EC member state.
If you wish to do this then please contact either ourselves or the Eco-Trailer distributer in that country to assist with registration the procedure.
All lighting is available on our online shop. Simply click 'SHOP' from the menu above.
If you have damaged the loom or plug here is the wiring table for a 13 pin European plug (standard Eco-Trailer fitment) & 7 pin plug; https://www.malcolms.ie/resources/images/towbars/glossary/13-pin-socket-diagram.jpg
This depends on the type of usage the trailer is subject to.
As a minium recommendation we suggest having the trailer inspected and serviced every 12 months and more often if and when you notice anything is required.
If the trailer is in regular use then as with any the vehicle the Brakes, coupling, wheels/tyres and other moving parts should be inspected more often.
Please see the BPW manual provided with the trailer for parts that require servicing.
In addition it is important to grease the jockey wheel and trailer tilt mechanism regularly.
Tyre pressures should be checked regularly. Wheel bolts should be re-torqued to 80-100 n/meter after the first journey.
For our most common wheel tyre combination – 155/70R12 with 5 stud wheel the tyre pressure should be 90 psi / 6.2 Bar.
In addition to this all wheel bolts and axle/hitch bolts should be torqued to 80 – 100 n/meters.
There are a few things to consider before you start towing your trailer.
The most noticeable difference when towing is of course the added length of your vehicle. When turning you must use a wider turning circle to avoid kerbs and when overtaking you must allow for the added length before pulling in.
The extra weight will have a negative effect on both acceleration speed and braking distances. It is more important to allow a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
You should always check for signage indicating the maximum height/weight/width of the roads ahead.
When towing please remember that you have a significant load and this must be respected at all times.
Reversing with a trailer is something that requires practice. Once you get accustomed to the trailer and your vehicle this will not be as daunting as you first think!
The National Trailer & Towing Association website is a good source for further information. Please follow the link here: www.ntta.co.uk
