There are millions of trailers in the U.S. Some haul horses, others carry boats and cars, and many are used for camping. For newcomers to the towing game, hitching up a trailer and heading down the highway can be a daunting task. Do it right, and you'll have an enjoyable trip. Get it wrong, and you could end up stranded--or worse. Here are some tips to keep your adventure from ending in disaster.
Before You Tow
Preparation is key. This starts when you buy your trailer and tow vehicle. Even though people screw this up every day, it's one of the simplest parts of towing. It revolves around numbers. Make sure your tow vehicle with can haul the load. Know the trailer-towing weight ability of your vehicle, but the number that really counts is the gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This is the weight of the tow vehicle, passengers, cargo, and the trailer (including what's on or in it). Don't be fooled into thinking that if your truck can tow 5000 lb and you have a 4000-lb camper trailer, you're good to go. Once you put two motorcycles in the truck bed, four adults in the cab, and fill the gas tank, you're more than likely over the GCWR, which is unsafe.
Choosing the proper hitch is next. Look at the trailer's overall weight or gross trailer weight (GTW) to determine the hitch that's needed. There are two kinds: fifth-wheel and tongue. The fifth-wheel, also known as a gooseneck, mounts in the pickup bed. It's a superior design borrowed from commercial semi rigs, and it requires a matching, often expensive trailer. Tongue hitches, the most popular, come in two types. A weight-carrying hitch is one that carries all the weight of the trailer on the tongue. A better unit is the weight-distributing hitch that transfers much of the trailer's tongue weight through torsion bars to the tow-vehicle's frame. These hitches are able to handle heavier trailers and are less prone to sway problems. There are five classes or sizes of tongue hitches, and it's important to choose the correct class for your application.
Class I: 1000-2500-lb GTW
Class II: 3500-4000-lb GTW
Class III: 6000-lb GTW (tongue), 10,000 lb (WD hitch)
Class IV: 8000-lb GTW (tongue), 12,000 lb (WD hitch)
Class V: 10,000-lb GTW (tongue), (WD hitch)
Besides the proper tow vehicle and hitch, there are several items you should pay attention to before hitting the road.