10 Trailer Towing Safety Tips That You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Tips for towing a trailer – Although towing a trailer for a camping trip, moving house or simply transporting goods involves more planning than your normal drive it isn’t that difficult. For safety of both you and other road users you need to be mindful of things.
Setting up and towing a trailer correctly prevents accidents and expensive errors. In this blog, we’re going to offer 10 tips to help you tow a trailer safely and efficiently.
- Knowing Your Vehicle Towing Capacity
Make sure you know your vehicle’s towing capacity before you hook up a trailer. Check with your owner’s manual or manufacturer specs to see how much weight your vehicle can tow to. Breaking this limit can result in poor handling, damages to your vehicle and poor driving conditions. - Proper Load the Trailer
If your load is going to be towed, distribute the weight evenly to avoid jerking and rough moving. Put the heavier items over the trailer’s axle and then weight from side to side to distribute the load. Swaying or your inability to maintain control of the vehicle can result from improperly loaded trailers. - Check Your Tires
Be sure all your vehicle tires and your trailer tires are properly inflated. Blowouts come on under inflated tires; over inflated tires can result in poor handling. You should always check tire pressure before you go on a trip, to prevent dangerous situations. - Secure Your Trailer Hitch
Be sure your trailer hitch is always secure when you’re on the road. Make sure that the hitch is locked in the hitch and that the safety chains are hooked. It’s the first line of defence against accidents when a trailer detaches in your driving. - Adjust Your Mirrors
While towing a trailer, you’re going to cut down on your visibility. Adjust your side mirrors to see clearly the trailer and what is happening behind you. Even better visibility can be achieved by adding towing mirrors to your vehicle, if you are towing a wide or long trailer. - Before going out on any long trips, practice towing.
When you are using a trailer new to towing it’s a good idea to practice with it in a safe open area. Before you get on the highway, you must get comfortable with turning, braking and reversing. Towing a trailer will change how you vehicle responds, practice will help save you in confidence and your safety. - Brake Gently and Early
Stopping distance is increased with a trailer. Brake a bit earlier than you normally would in order to allow sufficient time to slow down safely. Do not brake suddenly, or hard, as it may jackknife the trailer or cause you to lose control of the vehicle. - If There are Trailer Brakes Use Them
Trailer brakes, where available, spread the braking load and reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle’s brakes. Before taking off, check out that the trailer’s brakes aren’t broken. If your trailer does have electric brakes make sure they are the same as your vehicle. - Be Mindful of Your Speed
Towing a trailer carries inherent dangers and driving at higher speeds increases the chance of trailer sway and reduces your reaction time. Drive by the speed limit and be calm. On most highways, it is best to travel just underneath the speed threshold, at least when you are driving with extra large trailers. - Turn Wider at Corners
Tow a trailer? Bonus: Go can change the turning radius of a vehicle. When you have a tight corner or sharp bend, it’s very important to take wider turns. If you try to cut corners too tightly, the trailer will hit curbs, signs, or other car wrecks trifles.
Bonus Tip: Check Your Trailer Lights
Make sure all of your trailer’s lights are working (brake, tail, and turn signals). As well as being a legal requirement, it is important when towing so other drivers can see your intentions.
Conclusion – Tips for towing a trailer
With some preparation, these tips make towing a trailer easy. Good knowledge of your vehicle’s limits, proper loading of your trailer, and safe driving techniques will all do their share to make the trip go smoothly. Never forget safety, spend some time to check your vehicle, trailer and driving habits before every trip.
If you need some help picking a trailer for your vehicle, or even some tips for towing a trailer, feel free to contact Coastal Motor Advisory for advice!
