Tips on Safely Loading Cargo Trailers
If you take only one thing away from this article, it's that safety is paramount. We, at APC Trailers, understand that it's not just important to fit people with the best trailer for their situation but also to educate them on how to properly load them. If you live in the Phoenix or Casa Grande, Arizona, area, then you understand just how drastic road conditions can change, especially when it comes to driving through some of the more rural parts of the state where wind becomes a factor. Thus the following information includes a few of the most important tips to keep in mind to safely load your cargo trailer.
Always Keep Proper Weight Distribution in Mind
As stated above, those driving around the Phoenix or Casa Grande, Arizona area know how wind can make driving that much more difficult. That is why the first tip to properly safe loading your cargo trailer is to always keep proper weight distribution in mind. Simply throwing everything in the back without proper weight distribution can place a lot of pressure on the towing vehicle. This can cause excessive swaying on the road and may even lead to a total loss of control.
Secure Your Load Onto the Trailer
Great! You've properly distributed the weight of your items onto the trailer. However, that does not mean your work is done just yet. If you live in Tucson, Arizona, you know that streets can quickly turn from residential to rural very quickly. This means that your items may not stay in the position in which you place them originally. Thus the second tip for you to keep in mind is to always secure your load onto the trailer. The fact is that all that movement of stopping, going, and going through rough terrain are going to move your items around. You may utilize regular ropes or bungee ropes to ensure that nothing is going to move so drastically that it will affect your driving.
Never Overload Your Trailer
Just because it fits does not mean you should pack it in. This is because although the cargo trailer can carry the weight, your towing vehicle may not be able to pull it properly. Not only will this take more fuel consumption, but you're likely to lose control when you really need it. However, you should also avoid underloading your cargo trailer. Much of your recommended loading weight will be found within your trailer's owner's manual.
Loading a cargo trailer can be a daunting experience to go through. If you live around or in the Tucson, Arizona area, contact us at APC Trailers to learn more about towing safety and the various tow trailer options you have for your next trip.