Taking a trailer on the road—whether across the country or just the neighborhood—requires that you practice several safety measures to protect your trailer, cargo, vehicle, and yourself. For many drivers, ensuring a secure and safe towing trip can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you are new to trailering.
However, even if you have done semi-truck towing or heavy-duty rotator services countless times, trailering is not something you should take lightly. Before you hitch a trailer to your SUV or truck and hit the road, make sure you keep the following basics in mind to ensure a secure and safe towing trip:
Stay within your Limits
Check your vehicle’s towing capacity and ensure it can handle your trailer’s weight. If you exceed the maximum towing capacity, it can result in insufficient braking performance, dangerous handling, and serious damage to your vehicle’s drivetrain, suspension, and engine.
In addition, you need to also ensure your trailer hitch can handle the loaded weight of your trailer. Depending on the trailer’s weight, you need to also follow the recommendations in the owner’s manual regarding the use of weight-distributing and weight-carrying hitches.
It is best not to assume that all versions of a specific model line have identical tow ratings. Keep in mind that towing capacities can differ depending on drivelines, bed lengths, body styles, and other equipment installed on the vehicle. Always check the owner’s manual for the towing capacity of your vehicle.
If you intend to carry several passengers or extra cargo, you must ensure you are not overloading the tow vehicle. Check your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and ensure the loaded vehicle and trailer won’t exceed the gross combination weight rating specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
Check your Brakes
Smaller and lighter trailers will often not require any trailer brakes. However, heavier ones or those designed for heavier loads will typically need a trailer brake system. Some manufacturers require the use of brakes on trailers that weigh more than 2,000 pounds.
The emergency breakaway must be attached properly to the tow vehicle, whether your trailer comes with an electric brake or a hydraulic surge brake. If the trailer disconnects from the hitch, the cable will quickly trigger the brakes on the trailer to bring it to a halt.
Check your Tires
This goes for both the trailer and the tow vehicle. If not properly inflated, your tires can affect handling negatively. On the other hand, underinflated tires can create rolling resistance. This forces the engine to consume more fuel and work harder. In addition, it also increases tire temperature and can result in a blow-out.
Check the tire pressure label in the driver’s door jamb for the proper inflation pressure for the tow vehicle. Check the speed rating on the tires of both the trailer and the tow vehicle and ensure you don’t exceed the specified speed while on the road.
If you are in for a long journey, don’t forget to check the tire pressures of your spare tires and your trailer to ensure they are inflated accordingly. Remember to inspect the trailer’s hub bearings and ensure they are properly greased and in working order before towing.
Pack your Trailer Accordingly
Aside from ensuring you stay within the maximum load capacity, you must also ensure the cargo is positioned correctly. Roughly 60 percent of the trailer’s load should be placed over the trailer’s front. You should also load cargo in a weight that results in a tongue weight between 10 to 15 percent of the total weight of the loaded trailer.
Check your Lights
Your trailer’s marker lamps and tail lights may seem redundant but they are very important. Large loads or trailers can obscure the tail lights on your tow vehicle. If the lights on the trailer are not illuminated properly, other vehicles might not be able to see your vehicle, especially at night.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, before you take off, check if your side-view mirrors are properly adjusted to give you a clear view extending to the end of the trailer. Depending on your vehicle, some come with mirrors specifically designed for towing and can extend to expand your field of vision.
Jeremy Keller leads the Content Marketing team for Elite Towing, a locally-owned, family-run business in Casa Grande, AZ that provides high-quality towing services to both residential and commercial customers. He enjoys photography and making drone videos in his spare time.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
