How to Safely Tow A Trailer

Introduction

If you’re a beginner, towing a trailer won’t be as easy as you think. You need to know the trailer’s weight capacity, speed, and driving technique. Without a guide, you can’t tow a trailer.

So, we’re here to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to tow a trailer safely. Read the guide to know the simple yet effective techniques for towing a trailer.

Choose The Right Towing Equipment

If you want to experience safe towing, you’ll have to choose the right tow kit. For a simple towing solution, Tirol is the best choice. Tirol has been dealing with car accessories for 20 years. The world leading company features high-quality products for towing a trailer. This makes your towing easy and faster.

You can get a variety of car accessories from Tirol, including:
● Trailer Hitch
● Hitch Receiver
● Trailer Connector
● Towing Hitch Receivers
● Hitch Lock
● Trailer Jack
● Trailer Light

You’ll get all the towing accessories from Tirol. In addition, we’ll provide you with a complete guide to help you tow trailers easily. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced, towing will become a piece of cake.

Correctly Hitch up The Trailer

Are you confused about hitching up the trailer? We are providing a detailed guide to help you hitch up the trailer and set the accessories correctly.

Position Your Vehicle

Before you back up the coupler, position your vehicle. Line up your vehicle with the trailer to adjust the accessories. It’ll be easier for you to link the coupler. You’ll even not have to turn in right or left directions.

In addition, keep the trailer tongue 12 inches away from the vehicle. Then rearrange (raise or lower) the position of the coupler. Besides, your coupler should be higher than the trailer ball. So, position the vehicle accordingly.

Lower the Coupler

When you’re adjusting the coupler on the ball, apply the emergency brake. Unlock the coupler latch and keep it straight. After this, you’ve to lower the coupler through the jack. However, if the coupler is released from the ball, follow the steps again.

Hook the Coupler

When the coupler’s set on the trailer ball, hook it with a lock. Then test the connections to ensure the system works properly. For this, you’ve to lift the trailer tongue. Check whether the ball is set or offsets. If the trailer ball offsets, unlock the coupler and adjust the tongue.

Connect the Chains

Safety regulation authorities have passed a law to use safety chains. You’ve to attach crisscross chains below the coupler. This chain shouldn’t touch the ground. Sometimes a trailer ball might disconnect from the coupler. It’s because the coupler isn’t fastened to the ball.

Draw Back the Jack

When you’ve secured the coupler, withdraw the trailer jack. Move the jack up and down. Furthermore, there are two types of jack. One features a leg moving back in the jak post. Another jack swings using a swivel bracket.

Plug in the Wiring Harness

Plug the wiring in the trailer. You’ve to ensure the wiring harness turns freely. If extra wire’s left, roll it around the tongue. The vehicle is equipped with a socket. Therefore, install the trailers plug into the socket.

Inspect the Trailer Lights

Once you’ve done all the above steps, check the turn signals and brake lights. You can call a friend to check if the light’s working. If not, record the voltage or signals with a tester or multimeter.

Check Brake & Electronic System

If the trailer is heavy, check the trailer’s brake system is working properly. You should ensure the trailer’s electrical system (including brake lights, turn signals, and taillights) is connected and synchronized with the primary vehicle.

Here’s how to check the connections are secure:
● Take a multimeter with two wires
● Attach one wire to the battery (positive terminal)
● Attach a second wire to the trailer frame (negative terminal)
● Gear up the vehicle and apply the trailer brake
● The multimeter records the voltage and displays it
● Your trailer brake should be almost equal to the voltage
● Switch off the vehicle and trailer power sources

When testing a brake you have to check for the following voltage produced:

The Right Load Distribution

When loading a trailer, you’ve to make sure the weight is distributed evenly. Proportion the weight between the front and back. The trailer weight distribution depends on a 60/40 rule. It’s recommended to load 60% of the weight on the trailer’s front and 40% in the rear. If you exceed the weight capacity limit on the trailer’s front, the axle might stop working.

Besides, you have to secure your bulky items to avoid falling off. The most important part is to secure the cargo. This helps you transport cargo without any risks. This way, you also meet legal compliance.

If you don’t focus on the weight distribution, it’ll lead to loss of trailer control and damage to the tire. It also puts strain on the vehicle and trailer’s engine.

You’ve to consider certain factors for ideal weight distribution. These include:
● Size of trailer
● Weight of trailer
● Weight capacity
● Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

Here’s what to do for proper weight distribution:
● Chock the wheels
● First load bulky stuff
● Fill spaces with lighter items
● Tie the cargo with straps

Whole Vehicle Check

Vehicle maintenance is the key. If you don’t focus on maintaining the vehicle, towing won’t be easy. You’ll need to check the tire pressure, reflective signs, brakes and suspension.

Regular Maintenance

Whether it’s your vehicle or trailer, routine inspections are a must. Before towing, you should check the equipment. This keeps you away from mishaps or accidents during towing. If you’re not doing so, you put yourself in danger. Therefore, schedule regular maintenance to prevent tire wear and tear or corroded accessories.

Inspect Your Tire

Driving worn tires is unsafe. To improve the tire performance, you should use a tire tread with a depth of 2/32 inch. For towing, you have to consider a durable tire that withstands harsh weather conditions. Besides, make sure the pressure isn’t lower or higher but at a normal concentration. So, there’s no harm to the vehicle.

If your tire’s tread depth is less than 2/32″, here’s a pro tip. Fix several coins in the tread grooves of your tire. Cover the entire groove with coins to achieve the desired depth.

Check the Brakes

Another important factor is to check the stopping power of your vehicle. Inspect the brake pads and the lights. Do these function well? If not, fix them. In addition, you’ve to set up the brake controllers. It helps to manage the load on the trailer. Malfunctioning of
brakes results in overheating, leading to brake failure.

Inspect the Suspension

Add a suspension check to your towing inspection checklist. You’ve to inspect any cracks in the moving accessories. These include hook pins, locks, springs, and many more. In case you find wear and tear, be sure you replace it.

When inspecting the brakes or suspension, you’ve to remove the tires and chock the wheels. This way, your vehicle raises and you can inspect it properly.

Tow Hitch

Do you know how you couple two vehicles? With a tow hitch. It’s the main element of the towing setup. If you didn’t inspect it, you haven’t done anything. Therefore, screw the tow hitch to avoid detaching issues on the road. Otherwise, it’ll hinder the operation.

Furthermore, rust deteriorates your car accessories. So, remove the corroded or cracked ones and get new equipment. It prevents further damage to your vehicle and trailer.

Right Driving Techniques

Taking a road trip is fun. But you have to follow the safety laws. You should know the driving techniques to help you tow safely.

● Drive at a slow speed
● Avoid sharp turns (take wide turns)
● Avoid hard braking
● Increase stopping distance
● Drive on the right lane on highways
● Check your route before towing

No Fatigued Driving

What if you sleep while driving? You’ll put yourself at risk. It can cause a serious accident. Towing requires more concentration and stronger driving skills. However, your body needs quality sleep to function. So, avoid long periods of continuous driving. Make sure you take enough sleep to stay awake and focused during towing

Condition Check

When a trailer driver stops at a checkpoint, inspect the vehicle’s condition. You should check the trailer and vehicle if they are damaged. You’ll need a thorough check. It’ll keep you safe throughout your journey.

Here is a list of things you need to check at the checkpoint:

Trailer Connections

Want your vehicle to function efficiently? Make sure to check if all the wiring is connected between the vehicles. These connections show brake lights, auxiliary power,
and electrical routing. Also, examine the seven pins that supply power to the lighting.

Tire Condition

When you’re on the break, check your tire pressure. Whether the tire can bear the load or not. Low-pressure tires make the vehicle unstable. Furthermore, consuming more fuel than the normal gas mileage. Therefore, adjust the tire pressure to experience a safe towing trip.

Load Distribution

If load distribution is becoming an issue, use a weight distribution hitch. This hitch helps to control the vehicle carrying heavy loads. During parking breaks, you can balance the weight of the vehicle and trailer. Thus, reducing the trailer sway.

Apart from this, check the vehicle’s fuel tank and engine. Your vehicle’s battery should also be working well.

Anti-sway Devices are Important

You might have noticed your trailer tilting side-to-side. If this happens while driving, you’ll face intense trailer damage. Do you know what causes trailer sway? If not, let us tell you.
● Driving on damaged roads
● Crossing semi-trucks
● Applying sharp brakes
● Heavily loaded trailer

Want to improve the stability of your vehicle? Consider installing anti-sway devices or stabilizers. When a tow vehicle is heavier than a normal vehicle, sway control or sway bars are a must.

Sway control reduces the trailer sway at high speeds. These devices increase the strength of the trailer and reduce the risk of loss of control. Therefore, make your driving safe with anti-sway devices.

Emergency Guide

When towing a trailer, you might come across an emergency. You have to be prepared for it. If you experience a trailer swing, don’t panic. Instead, hold the steering wheel and slow down. Also, avoid applying sudden brakes or taking sharp turns.

Here’s what you should do:
● Carry a fire extinguisher
● Have a first-aid kit
● Keep a tool kit
● Use wheel chocks
● Inspect the tires

Conclusion

Now you know trailer swaying or improper weight distribution can be dangerous. It would help if you had the know-how of towing as a beginner. That’s why you should learn how to connect the trailer wiring for safe towing.

Furthermore, you shouldn’t compromise on quality and safety. If you’re looking for towing accessories or need a towing guide, you’ll get this from Tirol. It can be your first choice to make towing easy and safe.