The best way to learn how to tow a car is to work with experienced towing professionals. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Obeying your vehicle’s GVWR is key to towing safely. Avoid sudden movements, as they can damage the trailer and your car. Visit our Website to learn more.
Practicing the basics can make towing easier for a first-time trailer driver. This includes preparing the towing vehicle and trailer for the trip, adjusting driving habits, and regularly checking equipment for proper operation. Drivers can also practice parking and turning in open spaces to get comfortable with the additional size and weight of the trailer.
A big mistake many drivers make is assuming that their towing capacity is the same as their maximum payload. The difference is in how the weight is measured, and true towing capacity only refers to the ability to pull a trailer with cargo loaded up to its maximum rated weight.
The best way to ensure a safe towing experience is to carefully consider all factors before pulling out on the highway. This means a driver should be familiar with their towing capabilities, the limitations of their vehicle and trailer, and the laws in their area.
In addition, it is important to understand how adding a trailer affects a vehicle’s acceleration and stopping distance. A trailer increases the total weight of the vehicle, which can dramatically decrease its performance. The result is that a towing vehicle must brake longer to reach its speed limit and can take up to twice as long to come to a stop on dry pavement.
When the road turns wet, that time and distance will increase significantly. This is why it is imperative to always drive at the posted speed limits and allow a safe stopping distance when on the highway. Leaving at least four seconds between your car and the one in front of you when driving on good roads is recommended. For bad weather conditions, this should be increased to six seconds or more.
Another essential step is to practice braking and turning. Be sure to keep the vehicle and trailer within their lane markings and frequently check mirrors to avoid hitting curbs or low hanging branches. Also, be aware of the trailer’s height and width when maneuvering to ensure you can safely exit an alley or park in a parking lot.
Preparing for the Road
Whether you’re relocating, going on vacation, or simply need to transport a vehicle across the country, long-distance towing is often necessary. Unlike local towing, which involves straightforward trips to the nearest repair shop or dealership, long hauls require meticulous planning and preparation. Accidents, damage, and costly repairs could occur if you aren’t prepared for the rigors of long-distance towing.
Before you hit the road, be sure to inspect your trailer and the towing vehicle to ensure that all safety components are in good working order. This includes checking the trailer lights, mirrors, and tyres. Additionally, be sure to check the hitch ball to make sure it’s the right size for the coupler and properly tightened. It’s also a good idea to double-check all safety chains and ensure they’re crossed and fastened to both the towing vehicle and load.
A poorly secured load can become a projectile in the event of a breakdown or accident, causing serious injury to passengers or drivers on the road. It’s important to securely tie down all items inside the trailer, ensuring that they’re firmly fastened to the floor, walls, and roof. You should also adhere to particular standards and norms when securing your cargo, including weight limits and tie-down criteria, to guarantee legal compliance and avoid potential fines and penalties during your trip.
It’s essential to ensure that your towing vehicle is in good condition before you start the journey, as the stress of towing can put extra strain on the engine, transmission, and brakes. Check all fluid levels, especially engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid, and top them off if needed.
It’s also important to familiarize yourself with how the braking system works when you’re towing. The braking system of the towing vehicle and trailer must work simultaneously, so you must ensure that they’re in sync and that all necessary components are functioning correctly. If you’re unsure how to do this, seek the help of a professional or ask your towing service for guidance. Driving with a trailer takes practice and requires concentration, caution, and skill, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that towing is a relatively simple task.
Observing Driver Behavior
When driving a tow vehicle, the driver must constantly monitor his or her actions and those of the trailer. A good towing company will provide training for new drivers and offer regular refresher courses. The company should also implement ways to monitor driver behavior to identify bad apples, such as speeding, which can result in high costs and risky conditions for other customers.
A driver should never drive above the local limit when towing. Higher speeds cause the trailer to sway and rock behind the towing vehicle, endangering other motorists. Drivers should use their turn signals when changing lanes and use their mirrors to check for approaching vehicles. Drivers should also avoid sharp turns, as these can damage the towing vehicle and trailer.
Drivers should also pay close attention to their tires and road surface, particularly in rain and snow. If the tires are not properly inflated or have worn out, they can create uneven contact and cause instability that could lead to a tire blowout or jackknife. Drivers should also look farther ahead of them on the road than they would without a trailer to allow enough time to slow and stop.
Some vehicles have suspension systems that can adjust automatically to the added weight of a trailer to maintain safer driving performance. Some ACC (adaptive cruise control) systems can also detect trailers to allow for greater braking distance between vehicles.
Another important safety measure is to have a spotter stand outside the rear of the trailer when backing up. Even wide towing mirrors can’t fully cover the visibility required when backing up, and a spotter can help reduce the chance of a collision with other vehicles, objects or pedestrians.
It is also a good idea to use a spotter when changing lanes. Larger vehicles can obscure the blind spots of other motorists, and if someone isn’t watching carefully, they might hit your trailer or towing vehicle. Spotters can also be helpful in checking to ensure that your lights are working, as large loads can block the lights on a towing vehicle or trailer.
Watching the Trailer
When towing a trailer, it is important to have the driver’s full attention on driving. Avoid distractions such as chatting, listening to the radio or reading the map. These can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and trailer. When changing lanes, slowing down or turning, the driver needs to scan the road farther than usual to be sure there is sufficient space for their rig and to watch the traffic flow. This extra time and distance takes practice and familiarization to master.
The extra length of the trailer also affects the towing vehicle’s clearance and turning radius. Before heading out on the highway, check your truck’s clearance with a tape measure and get familiar with the added height of the rig. It is much easier to do this in a big, empty parking lot before you head out on the road.
Crosswinds, large trucks, and downhill grades can cause trailer sway. This can be dangerous and may require the driver to take their foot off the gas or use a hitch stabilization device.
It’s best to keep a good distance from the truck in front of you, especially when traveling on hills or mountains. This allows you to maneuver and avoid a rear end collision in case of emergency.
It’s a good idea to carry a spare tire for the trailer and make sure it has a proper air pressure, plenty of tread and no dry rot. In addition, it’s a good idea to have a bypass system installed. This is a special wiring system that separates the towing vehicle’s lighting harness from the trailer, preventing overloading the truck and its electrical systems in the event of an unplugged or malfunctioning trailer light.