TIPS FOR SAFE TOWING

Whether it’s a boat, a caravan, a horse float or taking your trash to the dump, towing requires attention to detail. Here are some key details to pay attention to for safe towing and longer vehicle life.

Weight
Make sure your trailer and whatever you're hauling is within the tow capacity of your vehicle. Check the owner's manual to find the trailer types that your vehicle can haul and the maximum load weight it can pull.

Check Your Equipment/Replace Worn Parts

Check ball, coupler, chains, retaining pins and clips, and all other connections EVERY TIME YOU TOW. Re-check at fuel and rest stops.

Weight Distribution

Proper loading helps prevent sway. Place heavy objects on the floor ahead of the axle, balance the load side-to-side. Secure it to prevent shifting.  Tongue weight should be 10-15 percent of the gross weight for most trailers.  Too low a percentage of tongue weight can cause sway.  NEVER load the trailer rear-heavy.  Load the trailer heavier in front.
If you experience fishtailing, where your trailer sways while accelerating, back off the gas and see if it stops. If it continues when you accelerate again, check to see how the weight is distributed on the trailer. It may not be distributed evenly from side to side, or else it's too far back to put a sufficient load on the ball. Redistribute the load as necessity dictates before continuing.

Lights
Connect brakes and signal lights. Double check to make sure the trailer's brakes, turn signals and tail lights are synchronized with those of the tow vehicle.

Safety Chains

Connect safety chains properly EVERY TIME YOU TOW.  If your trailer has more than one chain, insure they are crossed under the coupler. Attach securely to the hitch or tow vehicle so they can't bounce loose.  Leave only enough slack to permit full turning.  Too much slack may prevent chains from maintaining control if other connections separate.  Don't let chains drag on the road.

Tires
Avoid hauling too much weight for the tires. Blowouts can be bad news. Be sure you keep the proper air pressure in your tires, follow the tow vehicle and trailer manufacturers' recommendations.  Improper tire inflation can cause trailer sway.

No Passengers In Trailers!

Never allow people in trailers while towing, under any circumstances.

Handling
When towing, you're operating a vehicle combination that's longer and heavier than you're used to. So you'll want to make some compensating adjustments in your normal driving practices. For driving tips check out the Driving Tips page.

Backing up is tricky, but it is a skill you can learn. For more information on Backing a trailer check out our Reversing page.

Stopping
It's a matter of physics. When towing, you have more momentum than you would without a trailer. Be sure you keep in mind that it therefore takes more time and distance to stop. Avoid tailgating and pay attention to what's happening a little further down the road than you normally would.

Check Things Out As You Go Along
Maybe you forgot to fasten a chain, forgot to clamp the hitch or forgot to tie your load down properly. If you're in a hurry to get home after a long night, things like that can happen. Once you're on the road, make sure everything looks good back there. You really don't want to be up all night trying to get your car out of a ditch somewhere.

Pay Attention To Details
Accidents caused by trailers that break loose are considered criminal negligence, not a mistake. Pay attention to the details, including hitches, safety chains, signal light hook-ups, handling, weight, the capacity of your tow vehicle, tires and all the rest.

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