5 Tested Tips for Safer Towing

Towing any type of trailer, no matter how big or small, can be challenging even for the most experienced drivers, but for those who have never before had the pleasure, it can be downright terrifying. However, by following a few simple steps and taking your time on the open road, you will soon be up to the challenge and no longer feel the need to panic at the mere thought of having to hook up a trailer and head out. Here are five simple tips for safer towing.

Learn All About Weight

When it comes to towing with your vehicle, there are many specific weights you will need to learn about. The most important of these is your vehicle’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This weight is listed in your owner’s manual and can also be found on a sticker or plate located on the driver’s door post. The figure given is the maximum total weight that your vehicle is designed to move. It includes the weight of the following: your vehicle, your passengers, your cargo, the trailer, and everything inside your trailer.

You should also pay close attention to your vehicle’s gross weight rating (GWR), which is the total load your vehicle can carry, not including its curb weight or the trailer. Finally, there is the tongue weight. This is typically calculated as 10 percent of the maximum trailer weight and denotes how much of the trailer’s weight will be resting on the tongue. If you have too much weight on the tongue, the front wheels of your tow vehicle may start to lose their grip on the road. Too little, and the trailer could end up swaying back and forth as you go down the road.

Ball Size Really Matters

It is very important that you use the correct size tow ball when hitching your trailer. You should never use a ball that is too small, even if it is only one size smaller (for example, never substitute a 1 7/8-inch ball for a 2-inch ball). This could cause the trailer hitch to come off the ball and lead to a serious accident. Once the hitch is secured to the ball, be sure to use a pin or lock to secure the latch and keep it from bouncing loose.

The Right Hitch

Hitches come in a confusing array of drop measurements, and using the right one is important. You should always choose one that keeps the tongue and trailer as level as possible once your trailer is attached. Never drive off without the safety chains attached in an X pattern, as they are there to prevent disaster if your trailer becomes disconnected. You should wrap the chains around each other to shorten them to the point where they are not dragging on the ground.

Test Your Lights and Brakes

Before taking off for the first time (and every time thereafter), you should check the operation of all lights. Use a spotter to check running lights, turn signals, hazards, and brake lights for proper operation, as they are the only way anyone behind you will be able to tell when you are stopping or preparing to turn. If your trailer has electric brakes, you should test them frequently to ensure they are working.

The brakes in your tow vehicle are designed to stop the weight of your vehicle and may be strong enough to help stop smaller trailers. However, if you are towing a larger trailer with electric brakes, they are there for a reason: your tow vehicle’s brakes are not made to stop this much weight, and relying on them to do so is a recipe for disaster.

Practice, Practice, Practice

If you are new to towing a trailer, there is only one way you are going to master the skills needed to be safe out on the open road. This is to spend time practicing hitching and unhitching the trailer until you can practically do it blindfolded and are sure you can do it right the first time every time. Then find a large parking lot where you can practice maneuvering your trailer — including sharp turns and especially backing up, which is a hard skill to master. Finally, find a back road where you can practice driving and stopping at highway speeds with your trailer attached. Remember that it will take you a lot longer to stop with the added weight of a trailer on the back.

Learning to safely tow a trailer with your vehicle is part common sense, part planning ahead, and part practice. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to learning how to travel virtually anywhere safely, no matter what size trailer you plan to haul.