5 Of The Most Regular Towing Errors
This is the best time to tow, whether you’re going camping, off-roading, boating, bringing your kids home from college, or even hauling trash after spring cleaning.
Despite all of this, many people lack some of the essential safety-related knowledge and overlook checking some items that are essential for a safe trip. I was hoping to compile some accident data involving trailers, but I’ve discovered that it’s really hard to find and that it’s not well recordedâespecially recent data.
The most common towing mistakes
#1. USE THE CORRECT HITCH: First things first: double-check that your towing system’s hitch is the right one. Only utilize your trailer as it was meant to be used when it was designed and manufactured. If it’s a fifth wheel trailer, never try to convert it into a bumper tow trailer like the one in the picture above!You should make sure that your hitch is compatible with your towing vehicle in addition to having the right kind of hitch. You shouldn’t be towing with a conventional hitch if your truck is really huge and raised and the tongue of your trailer points upward. A drop hitch is required so that your towing Surrey will rest level when it is mounted.
#2. CORRECT HITCH BALL SIZE: After determining the ideal hitch for your trailer and tow vehicle, you must confirm that the tow ball on your hitch is the appropriate size. Your trailer coupler’s ability to attach to your tow ball does not automatically imply that they are the same size and compatible. You cannot secure the coupler properly if the tow ball is smaller than the coupling; the same is true if the tow ball is larger than your coupler. In any case, it’s possible for the trailer to separate from your vehicle and crash.
#3. CORRECT HITCH ATTACHMENT: Once you have the right hitch and tow ball, you must correctly and firmly fasten the trailer to the truck. Verify repeatedly that the trailer coupler is locked or fastened and won’t come off while you’re driving. Connect your trailer lights, safety chains, trailer brakes, and breakaway cable. Verify that each is operational and firmly fastened in place.
#4. WEIGHT AWARENESS: Many individuals are unaware of the weight ratings of both their truck and trailer. Curb weight, gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), gross combined weight ratings (GCWR), gross trailer weight (GTW), tongue weight, and other factors are included in this. According to research by the RV Safety & Education Foundation, 57% of all RVs in use exceed one or more weight safety guidelines.
#5 – PROPER LOADING, PLACEMENT, AND SECURE: In addition to making sure your load doesn’t exceed the weight limits for your vehicle, you need also make sure it is distributed evenly throughout the trailer’s axles and left- and right-side walls. Instead of being focused on the axle, a properly loaded and balanced trailer is based on the tongue weight and load distribution. The ideal range for tongue weight is 10% to 15% of your GTW. This will result in a tow that is both safer and much more pleasurable. A safe connection to the trailer is equally crucial after everything has been loaded correctly.
