Towing a Trailer

You must have valid registration from an Alberta registry for your trailer and it must be with you when you are towing the trailer. There must also be a valid licen C e plate attached to the rear of the trailer and clearly visible. The registration and licence plate are required before the trailer can be used on the road.

• Your trailer must have working tail- lights, brake lights, and turn signals that are activated from the towing vehicle.
• If you have a ball-and-socket hitch, you will also need to attach safety chains between the trailer and the towing vehicle. Chains should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer and fastened securely. This applies to all trailers except fifth-wheel trailers.
• If your trailer is equipped with a secondary emergency breakaway system, be sure that the system is connected properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Adjust your vehicle’s mirrors so you can see the traffic clearly that is approaching from behind. You must use extension mirrors if the trailer is wider than the vehicle that is towing the trailer. Brakes are required on a trailer if they are needed to control the safe movement of the trailer. However, the following trailers do not require brakes:
• trailers with a gross weight of 910 kilograms (2,000 pounds) or less, or
• trailers with a gross weight that is less than half the unloaded weight of the vehicle that is doing the towing.

When driving with a trailer, it is important to keep in mind the added weight and length:

• Allow for extra time and distance before entering traffic.
• Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles and be mindful of the extra space needed to manoeuvre with the added length of the trailer.
• Accelerate and brake more slowly, and allow for additional time when merging or changing lanes.
• If you are driving on a multi-lane highway, remember that slower- moving vehicles should travel in the right lane.
• Plan your driving. Look well ahead to anticipate and manage potential hazards. Avoid situations that may require quick lane changes or unexpected stops.
• If traffic builds behind you, find a safe place to stop off the road to allow others to pass.

Turning at intersections

To turn left:

• Approach the turn slowly. When you are close to the intersection, travel near the right edge of your lane without crossing or extending any part of your vehicle or trailer into the next lane. This will give you more room to complete the turn safely.
• Begin your turn when the front of your vehicle is even with the left side of your intended lane.
• Glance occasionally in your left outside mirror at the trailer wheels during the turn. The trailer wheels will travel a path that is inside the path of the wheels of your vehicle. This is called off-tracking.
• To allow for the off-tracking, steer towards the right side of the lane on the road you are entering.
• As soon as your trailer is through the turn safely, steer the vehicle into the centre of your lane. Turning left when towing a trailer - note the path of the vehicle and trailer wheels. Turning right when towing a trailer - note the path of vehicle and trailer wheels.
• To turn right, reverse these directions. However, i f you do not allow for the off-tracking you could make contact with a curb, a parked vehicle , or a pedestrian.

Backing a trailer

Backing a trailer takes practice. At times, to manoeuvre the trailer when reversing you will turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction than you would when reversing without the trailer. When using a vehicle to back a trailer, do the following:

• Have someone guide you.
• If you do not have a guide, walk to the back of the trailer to be sure the path behind is clear.
• Always reverse no faster than a walking pace. Position of the towing vehicle’s tires for backing a trailer. Begin backing by turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction you want to go. Turn the steering wheel right to go left. Likewise, turn the steering wheel left to go right.
• To avoid having your vehicle contact the trailer, only turn the steering wheel one-quarter to one-half turn. As soon as the trailer begins to turn, return the steering wheel to the normal position. Use only small steering wheel movements to steer the trailer. When backing a trailer to the right, be aware that your visibility is limited due to blind spots behind the trailer.

NOTES

ISBN 978-1-4601-5676-6 Spring 2026