Make a Safe decision For Towing Trailer and Buying Tow Vehicle

Towing a Trailer

Hitch systems, towing packages, tongue weight, and driving permits — there’s a lot more to towing a trailer than just hitching up and taking off down the road. We are trying to provide you the general information and tips that can help you make safe decisions when buying a trailer for non-commercial, personal use, or for purchasing and driving a tow vehicle.

The following information is not a substitute for the technical information found in manufacturers’ towing guides and vehicle owner’s manuals. Our sole purpose is to give you some basic information about factors to consider and equipment you will need to ensure your safety and that of your passengers, as well as the safety of other people on the road, when you are towing a trailer.

Towing Vehicle

Most SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and passenger cars can be equipped to tow a trailer. However, the selection of an appropriate tow vehicle and the proper equipment to tow a trailer depends on the type of trailer, its size and weight, and the amount of weight being towed.

Check the owner’s manual and review the manufacturer’s guide to see if the vehicle you plan to buy can tow a trailer.
If you already have a tow vehicle, look up its tow rating—size, maximum loaded weight, and maximum tongue weight of a trailer that the tow vehicle is capable of towing.

There are different towing packages to safely tow various sizes and types of trailers. Towing packages include both equipment that must be installed on your tow vehicle, and equipment that is optional or recommended. For example, not all trailers require the tow vehicle to be equipped with extended side-view mirrors. But if you are towing a trailer that is wider than your tow vehicle, you will need extended side-view mirrors to see rear- and side-approaching traffic.

Towing packages

A towing package may include a heavy duty radiator, battery, flasher system, alternator, suspension, and brakes, as well as an engine-oil cooler, transmission-oil cooler, wiring harness, specific axle ratio, and special wheels and tires.

While your vehicle may have certain tow ratings, remember you must have a compatible hitch system that can handle the same specifications. To ensure safety, you may have to install extra towing equipment.

Towing packages also may include the trailer hitch receiver, which is mounted to the tow vehicle, but towing packages rarely include the draw bar, or ball mount, and hitch ball. The draw bar is a separate assembly on which the hitch ball is mounted. The draw bar then slides into the hitch receiver on the tow vehicle and is secured with a locking pin. The front part of the trailer that hitches to the tow vehicle is referred to as the tongue. At the end of the tongue is a coupler into which the hitch ball is inserted and secured.

Measuring the Weight of a Trailer

Some manufacturers provide a “dry” or empty weight for trailers; however, to select a proper tow vehicle and hitching system, you must know how much your trailer weighs fully loaded. For example, if you are towing an open trailer that carries a boat or motorcycle, the fully loaded weight includes the weight of the trailer with the motorcycle and any additional items being towed, such as fuel tanks, motors, and safety equipment. It is known as GVW (Gross Vehicle weight)

Develop a realistic estimate of the total weight of your trailer. The time you spend doing this and getting properly equipped will save you time and money in preventing unexpected repairs to your tow vehicle and unanticipated breakdowns while on the road. In addition to speaking with dealers and other individuals who sell and use trailers, the best way to know the actual weight of your trailer is to weigh it at a public scale.

Check the permissible combined weight of the tow vehicle, trailer, passengers, equipment, fuel, etc., that the vehicle can handle, known as Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).

Trailer Towing Tips

The weight rating of trailer hitches, receivers, ballmounts, balls, and safety chains (or any other piece of the towing system) must not be exceeded by gross trailer weight or tongue weight.

Trailer Loading

Your ability to handle and control your tow vehicle and trailer is greatly improved when the cargo is properly loaded and distributed. Refer to your tow vehicle and trailer owner’s manual to find out how to

           Balance weight from side to side

           Distribute cargo weight evenly along the length of the trailer

           Secure and brace all items to prevent them from moving during travel

           Adjust the height of the tow vehicle/trailer interface

           Apply load leveling (weight distributing hitch bars)

Most trailers and tow vehicles should be level (parallel to the ground) during travel. Check the instructions from your trailer manufacturer to make sure this is correct for your combination of vehicles.

Tongue weight

How a trailer handles down the road depends upon tongue weight. Usually tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of the trailer's gross weight. Too much tongue weight will cause the rear of the trailer to sway and make the tow vehicle difficult to control. When this occurs, the tow vehicle will be less responsive to steering. A weight-distributing hitch can remedy this problem by transferring weight to the front axle of the tow vehicle.

To help prevent the trailer from swaying back and forth, a few things can be done. Try placing heavier cargo in the front of the trailer, ahead of the trailer's axle. Also center the cargo left-to-right and use tie-downs to keep the load from sliding.

Starting the Trailer

Trailer Sway can lead to a loss of vehicle control. When starting out with a new load on a trailer, make sure it will not sway by gradually increasing your speed in intervals until highway speed is reached. If the trailer does begin to sway, try adjusting the cargo and equipment accordingly and then repeat the test. If repositioning the load and equipment did not help reduce the sway, a sway control may be needed.

ALWAYS make sure the turn signals, brake lights, tail lights, electric brakes, and breakaway switches are working on the trailer prior to each use. If the trailer has some wiring problem, try to correct it with the help of available wiring diagram which shows the proper way install trailer wiring.

Driving

The addition of a trailer adds weight and length to the tow vehicle. More weight means more time to speed up and more importantly, slow down. Overall handling is also affected. When towing, allow for extra time when switching lanes, stopping and passing other vehicles. To assist in slowing down, many people use an electric trailer brake controller extra length can cause problems on turns. Because the trailer does not follow the exact path as the vehicle on turns, remember to swing out wider when traveling around bends and corners.

To conserve fuel when towing, travel at moderate speeds. Faster speeds increase wind resistance, reduce gas mileage, and place added strain on the vehicle and trailer.

When traveling over large hills or down gravel roads, use a lower gear to ease transmission and engine operation. Shifting out of overdrive and into a lower gear may also improve vehicle gas mileage. Transmission coolers also greatly reduce the consumption.

If for some reason (a gust of wind, a downgrade, a pass by a larger vehicle, etc.) the trailer does begin to sway, the driver needs to assess the situation to determine the proper course of action. Take control over the situation by gradually reducing the speed and steadying the wheel. Apply the brakes only of the trailer.

Take precautions not to slam on brakes and increase the speed. The increase in speed can cause more swaying. Stop towing the trailer if it is constantly swaying.

Be extra cautious of potholes and other large bumps. Riding over one can damage the tow vehicle, trailer hitch and/or trailer. When pulling a trailer take your time and be careful.

Practice trailer backing

Backing a trailer into tight places is easier than it looks, but it does take some practice. It's best to practice in a parking lot and in a vehicle that allows you to see the trailer through the rear window. Vans, trucks and campers that have obstructed rear views require more practice and the use of side mirrors. In either case, be patient, and make steering adjustments slowly and a little at a time.

Take care of tires

It's wise to periodically check tires for wear, cuts or other damage and replace as needed. Above all, maintain the tire pressure recommended by the manufacturer, located on the tire sidewall. Improperly inflated tires will cause them to wear out quicker and reduces fuel mileage.

Keep bearings greased

Wheel bearings are the heart of trailers. They need to remain airtight and packed with fresh grease. Poorly greased bearings will overheat and deteriorate, creating serious problems if they fail. They should be inspected and repacked at least once a year, depending upon the amount of use. Lay your hand on your wheel hubs after traveling. If they feel unusually warm, you may have a problem. But why wait? Routine maintenance is good prevention.

Go wide on turns

Be careful making sharp turns or sudden moves when trailering. The trailer tends to cut corners more sharply than the tow vehicle which can be dangerous when cutting corners close to curbs, other vehicles and road-side obstructions. Striking solid objects at an angle can cause tire damage, and more importantly, cause you to lose control momentarily.

Secure the trailer

Keep the safety chains provided on most trailers fastened securely to the tow vehicle in case the hitch fails. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning. The safety chains should only be long enough to allow for tight turns. Anything longer may weaken the safety feature of the chains if the other connections fail. Also make sure the chains cannot wiggle or bounce free and do not let them drag on the ground. For additional security, padlock the trailer hitch to the tow vehicle. That will also prevent someone from stealing the trailer while you're out fishing.

Keep the lights working

The trailer's electrical components are subjected to a great deal of adverse conditions, so check them periodically. Ask someone to step behind the trailer to make sure tail lights, brake lights and turn signals are working properly. If signals are dim, perhaps there is a bad connection or you need a more powerful flasher unit on the tow vehicle. An occasional shot of WD-40 into the pig tail wiring connector will reduce corrosion.

Never exceed the limits

Just because a vehicle has the power to pull a loaded trailer down the road doesn't mean it has the guts to haul it up steep hill, or that the brakes are capable of holding it on a steep incline. Follow manufacturers' towing guidelines and never exceed tow limits. Too much trailer weight can cause an accident, or pull the tow vehicle down a steep incline.
If you follow the tips given above you are sure to have a hassle free experience.

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