STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Towing in snow and ice Avoid towing in bad weather if at all possible, but if you do need to drive…

Be doubly sure that your towing weights are within the correct limits.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle, with its extra weight and traction, is beneficial in poor weather.

Plan your route carefully, avoiding dangerous roads and regions. Google Street View can be useful when planning.

Decrease your speed.

Look further ahead up the road for hazards.

Stopping distances are increased in standing water, ice or snow, so leave significantly greater distances between you and the vehicle in front. We recommend turning the two-second rule into the three- or four-second rule.

Make all driving inputs, such as steering and braking, more gentle and gradual than normal.

If your wheels lock when braking, ease off the brake and try it again – gently.

Keep your lights on all the time. But only use fog lamps when it’s foggy.

Check your wiper blades and ensure your washer bottle is filled with a suitable mix for the expected temperatures.

If you experience a lot of wheel spin, consider setting off in second gear.

Consider fitting your tow car with winter tyres – a legal requirement in some European countries. A minimum of 4mm tyre tread is recommended.

Carry a pair of ‘traction mats’, for added grip in slippery conditions. You can find them online from £12, made by companies including Fiamma.

Take a good quality de-icer spray with you, and pack a windscreen cover, to avoid all that unnecessary windscreen chiselling in the morning!