|
TRAILER LOADING AND TOWING | |
|
There's a lot more to towing a trailer than just hitching up and taking off down the road! Hitch systems,towing packages, tongue weight, and driving permits--- aredesigned to help you make safe decisions while towing a trailer. The following are topics that will be covered in this guide:
MANUFACTURER'S TOW VEHICLE RATINGS
CONNECTING THE TRAILER TO THE TOW VEHICLE The trailer towing industry has developed a classification system that differentiates hitches according to the amount of weight they can tow. This system addresses tongue weight and total weight. Keep in mind that within each classification, there are numerous hitches made by a variety of manufacturers. Make sure the hitch has provisions for the connection of safety chains, which are required by most states. When connected,safety chains should have some slack to help prevent the tongue from dropping to the road in the event the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. WIRING: Federal law requires trailers to have taillights, brake lights, side marker lights, turn signals, and rear reflectors. Some trailers also have backup lights. To provide power to these lights, a four-way (or more) connector is hooked into the tow vehicle`s electrical system. Many tow vehicle manufacturers offer a 7-way connector that may include an electric brake signal,( make sure your tow vehicle wiring connection matches the electrical connector of the trailer). Because the wiring systems of many tow vehicles use separate wires for turn signals and stop lights, you may need to purchase a taillight converter. This converter will combine these wires so that they can be connected to the trailer lighting system. Most factory-installed towing packages include a trailer wire harness that will perform this function if required. If you to more than one type of trailer, yopu may also need to purchase an adapter to accommodate differences in the wiring systems. TIRE SAFETY All your trailer tires should be the same type, size, and construction- do not mix biasbelted and radial tires. In selecting tires for your trailer, buy the size, type, and load range found on the trailer`s certification label or in the owner`s manual. Keep in mind that tires have a load rating the indicates the amount of weight they can carry safely. As with your tow vehicle, always maintain proper tire pressure and replace worn tires. Remember- your tow vehicle tires may require a higher tire pressure for towing, especially heavy loads.
LOADING AND WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION 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 vehicle and trailer owner`s manuals to find out how to:
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. SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVING WITH A TRAILER
Take time to practice before driving on main roads and never allow anyone to ride on or on the trailer. Before you leave, remember to check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels. Consider the following safety tips each time you drive with a trailer. Use the driving gear that the manufacturer recommends for towing. Drive at moderate speeds.This will place less strain on your tow vehicle and trailer. Trailer instability (sway) is more likely to occur as speed increases. Avoid sudden stops and starts that can cause skidding, sliding, or jackknifing. Avoid sudden steering maneuvers that might create sway or undue side force on the trailer. Slow down when traveling over bumpy roads, railroad crossings, and ditches. Make wider turns at curves and corners. Because your trailer`s wheels are closer to the inside of a turn than the wheels of your tow vehicle, they are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs. To control swaying caused by air pressure changes and wind buffeting when larger vehicles pass from either direction, release the accelerator pedal to slow down keep firm grip on the steering wheel. Allow considerably more distance for stopping. If you have an electric trailer brake controller and excessive sway occurs, activate the trailer brake controller by hand. Do not attempt to control trailer sway by applying the tow vehicle brakes; this will generally make the sway worse. Always anticipate the need to slow down. To reduce speed, shift to a lower gear and press the breaks lightly.
Downgrades and Upgrades:
DEPARTURE SAFETY CHECKLIST Before driving, make sure your vehicle maintenance and trailer maintenance are current. This is very important because towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle. (review the next section of the information for an overview of maintenance requirements.)
Backing Up: Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. To left turn, move your hand left. To turn right, move your hand right. Back up slowly. Because mirrors cannot provide all visibility you may need when backing up, have someone outside at the rear of the trailer to guide you whenever possible. Use slight movements of the steering wheel to adjust direction. Exaggerated movements will cause greater movement of the trailer. If you have difficulty, pull forward and realign the tow vehicle and trailer and start again. Parking: Try to avoid parking on grades. If possible, have someone outside to guide you as you park. Once stopped, but before shifting into park, have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the trailer wheels. Apply the parking brake, shift into park and then remove foot from brake pedal. Following this parking sequence is important to make sure your vehicle does not become locked in park because of extra load on the transmission. For manual transmissions, apply the parking brake and then turn the vehicle off in either first or reverse gear. When uncoupling a trailer, place blocks at the front and rear of the trailer tires to ensure that the trailer does not roll away when the coupling is released. An unbalanced load may cause the tongue to suddenly rotate upward; therefore, before uncoupling, place jack stands under the rear of the trailer to prevent injury. |