Emergency Procedures Guide | Empire Trailer Hire

Breakdowns & Emergencies – Empire Trailer Hire

Breakdowns & Emergencies

Stay calm, stay safe, get help. Keep this page open if things go wrong on the road.

Injury or immediate danger? Call 000

For trailer issues, breakdown, or anything else:

What to Do Step by Step

Tap the scenario that matches your situation. The first two are open by default.

Trailer Breakdown Flat tyre, mechanical fault, coupling issue

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1

Pull well off the road — slow down gently, don't brake hard. Get as far from traffic as possible.
2

Hazard lights on immediately. If you have a warning triangle or flares, place them 100–200m behind the trailer.
3

Stay in the vehicle if it's safe to do so — especially on highways or high-speed roads. Exit on the side away from traffic if you must get out.
4

Only assess the cause if it's safe. Don't attempt roadside repairs to brakes, coupling, or wheels on a busy road.
5

Call us with your order number and location. We'll advise next steps or send help.

Empire 24/7: 1300 418 285 · NRMA Roadside: 13 11 22

Accident or Collision What to do if you're involved in a crash

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1

Check for injuries first. If anyone is hurt or there's immediate danger, call 000 before anything else.
2

If vehicles are driveable and it's safe, move them off the road and out of the flow of traffic.
3

Exchange details with everyone involved: name, phone, vehicle rego, and insurance company.
4

Take photos of the scene, damage to all vehicles, the road position, and any relevant signs or markings.
5

Call us on 1300 418 285 to notify us of the incident and get guidance on next steps with the trailer.
6

Report to police if required (injury, significant damage, or if the other party leaves). Notify your insurer as soon as possible.

Injuries? Call 000 first. Trailer issues: 1300 418 285

Flat Tyre Changing a trailer tyre safely

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1

Pull well off the road on a flat, firm surface. Never change a tyre on a slope or soft ground.
2

Hazard lights on. Chock the opposite-side tyre before jacking. The trailer must be unhitched or the tow vehicle's handbrake applied.
3

Loosen wheel nuts slightly before lifting, then jack at a designated jack point on the trailer frame — not the axle tube.
4

Swap the tyre, tighten nuts in a cross pattern, lower, and do a final tighten. Check spare pressure before continuing.
5

If you can't safely change it, call NRMA 13 11 22 — roadside assistance is included with every Empire trailer hire.

Trailer Sway / Fishtail Most dangerous — do not brake hard

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1

Ease off the accelerator — do not brake suddenly or steer sharply. Both make sway significantly worse.
2

Hold the steering wheel straight and let the vehicle slow naturally. Resist the urge to steer into or against the sway.
3

If fitted, apply a gentle trailer-only brake override — this can help settle the oscillation.
4

Once stabilised, pull over safely. Do not continue driving until you find and fix the cause — it will happen again.
5

Common causes: too much rear weight, load shifted, speed too high, or tyre pressure too low. Fix before proceeding.

Trailer Comes Loose If the coupling detaches while towing

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1

The safety chains will hold the trailer — they are designed for exactly this. Do not panic. Ease off the throttle gradually.
2

Steer to the left and slow down smoothly. Signal and move off the road as safely as possible.
3

Once stopped, do not attempt to recouple the trailer on a busy road. Turn hazard lights on and call for assistance.
4

Call 1300 418 285 immediately. This is a reportable incident and we need to know.

Call us immediately: 1300 418 285

Severe Weather or Other Emergency Fire, flooding, storm damage

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1

Personal safety first. If there's immediate danger — fire, flooding, or a threat to life — abandon the trailer and evacuate. The trailer is replaceable. You are not.
2

Call emergency services ( 000) if the situation is beyond your control or worsening.
3

Only use a fire extinguisher if it's safe to do so and the fire is small and contained. Never fight a vehicle or large fire — evacuate.
4

In severe weather, move the trailer to the most sheltered, secure location possible. Unhitch if it becomes a hazard to your vehicle.
5

Once safe, notify us on 1300 418 285 so we can assist with recovery or document the incident.