Towing Tips To Live By
Many people underestimate what it takes to tow a trailer. Generally, proper towing is a question of common sense.
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* The biggest difference between towing and driving without a trailer is the time it takes for everything to happen. Acceleration and braking take longer when you're pulling a trailer, while skids or losing control of your rig can happen more quickly.
* Slow down and allow plenty of room between your vehicle and traffic ahead.
* Don't make jerky steering or braking moves as this could cause you to lose control.
* Use care when descending steep hills, as it's easy to overheat the brakes. Use a lower gear and apply brakes periodically to keep speed in check.
* On the highway, wind buffeting can move a trailer around. In these cases, slower speeds will help.
* In town, you may need to make wider turns with your trailer hooked up.
* Never allow people to ride inside an enclosed trailer. Besides being illegal in many states, it's dangerous.
* Backing should be done slowly to avoid jackknifing the trailer and damaging the hitch. Remember, when backing up, the trailer will move in the opposite direction of the tow vehicle. Use a spotter.
* Be sure there's plenty of room to turn around before heading into a dead-end situation.
Sources
Department of Transportation
Auto Safety Hotline
888/327-4236
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers
2945 SW Wanamaker Dr., Suite A
Topeka, KS 66614-5321
785/271-0208
www.natm.com
National Marine Manufacturers Association
200 East Randolph Dr., Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601-6528
312/946-6200
www.nmma.org
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association
1896 Preston White Dr., P.O. Box 2999
Reston, VA 20195-0999
703/620-6003
www.rvia.org |