Whatever kind of trailer you’re towing, Safe T Signs mean Safe Towing! Be seen and be safe when you emerge from junctions or roundabouts, and when you are towing in the dark.
Buy Safe T Signs from our website here: http://www.safetowing.co.uk/buy-now.htm
Those who follow this blog might know that I have scoured the internet for anything relevant to safe towing.
A couple of years ago I came across a an excellent discussion about Safe T-Signs on an internet discussion board. I thought it was worth sharing.
I’ve anonymised the discussion, but I would like to emphasise that it is a real discussion - I've done minor editing just to help with sense, but it's pretty much as it was.
Also, the first smarty pants to identify where I chose the names from can have a free pair of safe T-Signs!
Also, the first smarty pants to identify where I chose the names from can have a free pair of safe T-Signs!
Are Towing signs displayed on vehicles a good safety feature?
Julian: I noticed one of our members displaying towing signs on both sides of his Mondeo, I assume they were the magnetic type that can be easily attached/removed. Can they be bought or do they have to be made up?
If other members liked the idea perhaps we could set an example of safety awareness to other towers by displaying them and incorporate our logo? At the least we would be helping improve road safety by alerting other road users we are towing, particularly when we’re pulling out of road junctions?
Your comments please as I’m seriously thinking of applying the idea to my vehicle.
If other members liked the idea perhaps we could set an example of safety awareness to other towers by displaying them and incorporate our logo? At the least we would be helping improve road safety by alerting other road users we are towing, particularly when we’re pulling out of road junctions?
Your comments please as I’m seriously thinking of applying the idea to my vehicle.
Dick: What a good idea Julian - I think it was Anne that had them fitted to the car door when she brought her new van home.....
Anne: *cough cough* Ahem!
They’re Safe T-Signs. They’re magnetic and are both very secure and easily removed. The whole back of the sign is magnetic, not just a few magnets round the edges. They’re a brilliant piece of kit and I wouldn't be without them now. The number of times I’ve been out on the road and other drivers, for some inexplicable reason, just don’t see the extra 18ft (in my case) that you're pulling behind your car astonishes me. And then they get miffed at me because I can't pull into the gap they've left for me or because I'm slower onto a roundabout, etc. They’re ideal for blind junctions or exiting from car parks, driveways, etc where other drivers can see your car but not your caravan. It just gives them advance warning.
They’re Safe T-Signs. They’re magnetic and are both very secure and easily removed. The whole back of the sign is magnetic, not just a few magnets round the edges. They’re a brilliant piece of kit and I wouldn't be without them now. The number of times I’ve been out on the road and other drivers, for some inexplicable reason, just don’t see the extra 18ft (in my case) that you're pulling behind your car astonishes me. And then they get miffed at me because I can't pull into the gap they've left for me or because I'm slower onto a roundabout, etc. They’re ideal for blind junctions or exiting from car parks, driveways, etc where other drivers can see your car but not your caravan. It just gives them advance warning.
George: I’d say no I don't want those Magnetic signs on my car doors at any cost ... Why? Because my next door neighbour was a taxi driver (private hire). He had magnetic signs on his doors. I’ve never seen such a mess in my life with scratches and other marks... so, no thank you.
Anne: Geoorge, you need to make sure your car door and the signs are clean - if you get dirt trapped between them then obviously it’ll scratch your paintwork.
Timmy: I have a set of self made magnetic signs/number boards on the doors of my Mini. I also used them on a road going Astra (for sprints and climbs). I’ve never had a problem with paint damage, and it was red which is a soft paint colour. Trust me, so long as you look after them and keep them clean they stick like glue - even at race speeds (I got clocked at aintree sprint doing 136 down the straight and they were still on the doors).
Like Anne said, if the signs and/or the doors are dirty, that's when they start to scratch as they can then move slightly in use.
Like Anne said, if the signs and/or the doors are dirty, that's when they start to scratch as they can then move slightly in use.
George: Anne, I'm sure some of you can be lucky and get no scratches on the paintwork from magnetic signs, but I'm taking no risks... I'm sure people with good eyes can see that you're towing a caravan with it being so close behind a car and anyone with a bit of sense should know that a caravan cannot move under it's own power. LoL
P.S Your Mondeo looks rather "Cute" with the Towing Signs on ;-)
P.S Your Mondeo looks rather "Cute" with the Towing Signs on ;-)
Jo: Yep it's up to the individual if you want to use them. I think they’re a fab idea.
Tinker: I’ve always liked the idea of Safe T-Signs since I first saw them in Practical Caravan [back in 2007/08!] ... they would be good to keep in the car for if you ever have to tow a car as well, as you could stick one to the back of the car being towed. Being magnetic wouldn't bother me as I always wash the car before we go away and usually the caravan.... no matter the weather : They look very good anyway and are a great idea...
Quentin: Forgive my ignorance here, but I’m a little bemused as to just what these signs are for? Surely anyone can see that damned big caravan on the back without having a sign on the side of the car to tell them that it’s towing one? Am I missing something here (I usually do)?
Personally, I’d never stick anything magnetic onto the car as I remember the days of the magnetic mounted CB aerials and the damage done to car roofs by the metal particles that they invariably picked up.
Enid: There are plenty of roads in Cornwall and near where I live that 'hide' the fact you’re towing a caravan. Sometimes just the front of the car can be seen and people will slow a little, thinking it’s just a car, but then they realise its actually towing a huge caravan too! A few seconds can make all the difference in a situation like this! I’d rather have these signs making scratches on the side of my car (if they do) than another car sitting on my lap! So well done Anne. I didn't even know they exist - but I’ll be getting some!
Tinker: Yep, that’s what they’re for - for junctions etc where the rear of your outfit may be hidden. It’s to make drivers more aware its more than just a car pulling out if you understand what I’m saying...
Anne: Quentin, please read the end of my first reply again. Some drivers just do not see the van behind you, even when visibility is clear.
I'll give you an example, I towed the old van up the road to inflate the tyres at the local garage. It's less than 2 miles and all dual carriageway, so I didn't bother putting the signs on. On exiting the garage, I was waiting for a gap big enough to pull the rig into. White van man slows down and flashes me out. I shake my head to indicate I can't pull out into the gap he's made because it's not big enough and there’s traffic following him. White van man looks confused, slows down even further, flashes me again, with the traffic behind him hitting the brakes, etc. It wasn't until I physically pointed behind me at the big white thing on the back of the car that he realised I had a caravan. It's a completely open junction with visibility for literally miles up and down the road, both for drivers on the dual carriageway to be able to see if cars are exiting from the garage, and for drivers leaving the garage to see oncoming traffic.
Now imagine the same Mr White Van Man approaching a roundabout? If for example, I had just pulled out onto the roundabout and I didn’t see him approaching because say it's a bend on approach. He thinks he can go straight on to the roundabout once my car is on the roundabout. He doesn't see my van, so he doesn't adjust his speed accordingly. Where is he going to go? He's going to have to slam on his brakes at the last minute. Maybe he'll stop in time, maybe he won't. If he doesn't then he’ll end up straight through my caravan. If I have Safe T-Signs on, then at least it will make him sit up and take notice and he'll drop his speed sooner. Obviously if I spot a vehicle approaching a roundabout at a silly speed, I'm not going to put myself in it's path but sometimes it's impossible to compensate for other driver's poor skills. Anything I can do to make myself more visible and safer on the roads, especially when towing, I'll do it.
Jo: Good point and well made - :clap
George: Anne, I see what you say ... but up to a point. The bottom line is you have to remember you are towing the caravan or whatever, and it’s up to you to decide when it’s safe to pull out of anywhere. It’s not for someone else to tell you when it’s safe. I never accept the invitation to pull out of a junction for anyone when towing the caravan as I have the patience to wait for a safe gap.
About 14 years ago we were heading to Stratford-on-Avon for the weekend. I joined the M6 Motorway at junction 15 and I was travelling at 50mph on the nearside lane towing the caravan. Halfway to junction 14 there was a White Luton van approaching in the middle lane. Before I had the chance to look in the mirror again, my car and caravan were both written off. The driver of a Ford Scorpio fell asleep at the wheel in the fast lane and whacked the Luton van in the middle lane and knocked him into my outfit. In all my 38 years of towing caravans that is the only incident I have ever encountered while towing. To be honest I don't see how a "Towing" sign on my car could have helped me there.
About 14 years ago we were heading to Stratford-on-Avon for the weekend. I joined the M6 Motorway at junction 15 and I was travelling at 50mph on the nearside lane towing the caravan. Halfway to junction 14 there was a White Luton van approaching in the middle lane. Before I had the chance to look in the mirror again, my car and caravan were both written off. The driver of a Ford Scorpio fell asleep at the wheel in the fast lane and whacked the Luton van in the middle lane and knocked him into my outfit. In all my 38 years of towing caravans that is the only incident I have ever encountered while towing. To be honest I don't see how a "Towing" sign on my car could have helped me there.
Anne: Same here, I didn't accept the invitation to pull out, but it didn't stop the van driver inconveniencing other motorists behind him until I pointed out the blantantly obvious to him.
I don't know about you, but I spend a helluva a lot of time behind the wheel compensating for other driver's poor driving, especially now I'm doing my IAM training. Anything that might help me with that is worth it in my book. Granted the signs may not prevent all accidents, or indeed any, but in theory they might and that's good enough for me.
Aside from that, as a driver I always like to have as much info about the vehicles around me as possible. If I can give other motorists more information about my rig, and sooner, then so much the better.
Aside from that, as a driver I always like to have as much info about the vehicles around me as possible. If I can give other motorists more information about my rig, and sooner, then so much the better.
Being realistic, if you're at a busy roundabout for example - where are you looking? Usually at the car, the driver and the indicators. Personally, I also look at the wheels to make sure the vehicle is going in the direction it says it is. If you can put also give other drivers the information that you're towing on the car, then I think that'd give advance warning rather than only seeing the van once you've pulled out past an HGV for example.
Endpiece
Personally, I think better to be safe than sorry – what do you think?
Safe Towing is about safe driving practices, as well as making sure that drivers are alert to the need to drive with consideration towards all other road users. Prepare to tow safely - Safe T-Sign should be part of your routine before you set off to tow, to help you and other road users to be safe.
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Whatever kind of trailer you’re towing, Safe T Signs mean Safe Towing! Be seen and be safe when you emerge from junctions or roundabouts, and when you are towing in the dark.
Whatever kind of trailer you’re towing, Safe T Signs mean Safe Towing! Be seen and be safe when you emerge from junctions or roundabouts, and when you are towing in the dark.
Buy Safe T Signs from our website here: http://www.safetowing.co.uk/buy-now.htm
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