How to load and strap a trailer safely and legally

By law, the driver is responsible for a secure load, so the few minutes you spend loading properly are the most important of the whole hire. A load that shifts or blows out is dangerous and can land you a fine, so treat it as part of the job, not an afterthought.

Balance the load first. Aim for a little more weight over the axle and towards the front, so the trailer sits level and does not sway or lift the back of your car. Too much weight at the rear makes a trailer fishtail, and too much on the ball overloads your tow bar.

Strap it down with rated gear. Use ratchet straps or load-rated tie-downs to the trailer's anchor points, not occy straps or rope for anything heavy. Pull each strap tight, check it cannot slide off a corner, and give the load a firm shove to confirm nothing moves.

Cover loose material. Anything light, like garden clippings, boxes, foam or soil, needs a load net or a tarp so it does not blow onto the road behind you. A cage trailer with a net is ideal for this kind of load.

Do a final walk around. Check the coupling is locked and the safety chains are on, the plug is in and the lights work, the jockey wheel is up, and nothing sticks out past the sides without a flag. Then re-check the straps after the first few minutes of driving, because loads settle.

Many yards hire or include straps and a net, so ask when you book. Trailer Hire Near Me lists local yards near you, free, so you can sort the gear and the trailer in one call.