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Planning a trip? Taking the trailer with you? Are you ready? The following is a list of a few things to think of before and during your trailering adventure.
Trailering Safety Tips Trailering tactics: With a trailer in tow, you are operating a vehicle combination that is longer, heavier and sometimes wider than you’re used to. So you’ll have to make some compensating adjustments in your driving practices. Take a "Shakedown Cruise": At least one short trial run before your first trip will help familiarize you with your trailer’s operating characteristics. It will also let you know that the lights, brakes, hitch, etc., are working properly. Slow Down: Moderate to slow speeds put less strain on your car and trailer. Allow Extra Time and Space: You’ll need both when passing and stopping, especially if your trailer has no brakes. Check Rear View Mirrors: Doing this frequently will let you know that your trailer is riding properly. We recommend outside rear view mirrors on both sides of your tow vehicle. Swing Wider: You will need to make wider swings at curves and corners because your trailers wheels are closer to the inside of a turn than wheels on you tow vehicle. Pass With Care: It takes more time and distance to get around a slower vehicle and return to the right lane when you are towing a trailer. Watch the Wind: To avoid swaying, be prepared for sudden changes in air pressure and wind buffeting when larger vehicles pass from either direction. Slow down a bit and keep a firm hold on your steering wheel. Aim straight down your lane. Conserve Fuel: You’ll go farther on a tank of gas a moderate speeds. Higher speeds increase wind resistance against the trailer and reduce your gas mileage significantly. Avoid Sudden Stops and Starts:This can cause skidding, sliding, or jackknifing, even if your trailer has brakes. Avoid quick stops while turning. Smooth, gradual starts and stops will improve your gas mileage. Signal Your Intentions: Let surrounding vehicles know what you intend to do well before you stop, turn, change lanes, or pass. Shift to a Lower Gear: A lower gear will help ease the load on the transmission and engine when going over steep hills, sand, gravel, or dirt roads. If your tow vehicle has an "overdrive" gear, shifting out of overdrive to a lower gear may improve your gas mileage. Always be Courteous: Make it as easy as possible for faster moving vehicles to pass you. Keep to the right of the road and prepare to slow if passing vehicles need extra time to turn into their proper lane. Don’t Tailgate: Allow at least one car and trailer length between you and the car in front for each 10 MPH on your speedometer. If a Problem Occurs: Don’t panic. Stay cool. Say you experience a sudden bumping or fishtailing. It may indicate a flat tire. Don’t jam on your brakes or mash the accelerator in an attempt to drive out of it. Instead, come to a stop slowly as you keep driving in as straight a line as possible. If conditions permit, coast to a very slow speed and try to avoid braking, except when your wheels are straight and your trailer and tow vehicle or aligned. If your trailer begins to fishtail as you accelerate to highway speed, back off the accelerator a bit. This should stop the fishtailing. If it begins again as you start accelerating again, stop and check your load. It is probably not distributed evenly from side to side, or is too far back to put a significant load on the hitch ball. It is recommended that about 10% of the trailer load be on the hitch. Redistribute the load as necessary before continuing. Hey, let’s be careful out there. (originally in the Hidden HItch 2006 catalogue) |
