Trailer Towing Guide

Before Towing, Double-Check All of These Items

  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Test trailer brakes.
  • Flares & reflectors.
  • Ramps secured for travel.
  • Tires, wheels & lug nuts.
  • Coupler secured & locked.
  • Test Tail, Stop, & Turn Lights.
  • Tongue weight & weight distribution set-up.
  • Cargo properly loaded, balanced & tied down.
  • Safety chains properly rigged to tow vehicle, not to hitch or ball.
  • Safety breakaway lanyard fastened to tow vehicle, not to safety chains.
  • Tire Pressure. Inflate tires on trailer and tow vehicle to the pressure stated on the Certification / VIN label.

After Each 50 Miles, or One Hour of Towing, Stop and Check the Following Items

  • Cargo secured.
  • Coupler secured.
  • Doors latched & secured.
  • Safe Trailer Towing Guidelines.
  • Slow down for bumps in the road.
  • Use your turn signals well in advance.
  • Check the lug nuts or bolts for tightness.
  • Generally never drive faster than 60 m.p.h.
  • Safety chains are fastened & not dragging.
  • Check coupler tightness after towing 50 miles.
  • Use lower gears for climbing & descending grades.
  • Follow the brake controller manufacturer's literature.
  • Allow plenty of stopping space for your trailer and tow vehicle.
  • Do not drive so fast that the trailer begins to sway due to speed.
  • Before towing, check coupling, safety chain, brakes, tires, wheels & lights.
  • Recheck the load tie downs to make sure the load will not shift during towing.
  • Use your mirrors to verify that you have room to change lanes or pull into traffic.
  • Adjust the brake controller to engage the trailer brakes before the tow vehicle brakes.
  • Do not brake while in a curve unless absolutely necessary. Instead, slow down before you enter the curve.
  • Do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to correct extreme trailer swaying. Instead, lightly apply the trailer brakes with the hand controller.
  • Allow plenty of room for passing. A rule of thumb is that the passing distance with a trailer is 4 times the passing distance without a trailer.
  • Do not ride the brakes while descending grades; they may get so hot that they stop working. Then you will potentially have a runaway tow vehicle & trailer.

Make Regular Stops, About Once Each Hour. Confirm That

  • Electrical connectors are made.
  • The tires are not visibly low on pressure.
  • The cargo is secure & in good condition.
  • There is appropriate slack in the safety chains.
  • The coupler is secure to the hitch & is locked.
  • There is appropriate slack in the breakaway switch pull pin cable.

**It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the hitch, & that the safety chains & emergency breakaway brake lanyard are correctly attached. Uncoupling may result in death or serious injury to you & to others.

Warning

  • Be sure the hitch size matches the coupler size.
  • Check emergency breakaway brake system BEFORE each tow.
  • Observe the hitch for wear, corrosion & cracks before coupling.
  • Be sure the hitch components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.
  • Be sure the hitch load rating is equal to or greater than the load rating of the coupler.
  • Replace worn, corroded or cracked hitch components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.
  • Proper selection & condition of the coupler & hitch are essential to safely towing your trailer. A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury.
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