Towing is a convenient means of transport. Whether you’re taking your boat to the lake, your horse to a show, or a trailer full of furniture to your new house, you want to make sure that both you and your cargo have a safe trip. The following are some tips for planning and carrying out your trip to avoid any mishap.
The first thing you need to determine is how much weight your vehicle can safely haul and how much weight you’re planning to carry. When you consider the weight your car or truck can tow, add up the weight of the vehicle itself, the passengers, the trailer and the cargo, and see if it is under your gross combined weight rating (GCWR). You should be able to find this number on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. You also need to find out how much of the weight of the trailer is supported by the tongue, or hitch. Ten percent is about the right amount. Too much weight on the hitch will make it hard for you to steer, while too little weight can make your trailer fishtail.
When you hitch the trailer to your vehicle, there are several things to keep in mind. When you attach the two vehicles, the connections should be at an even height. Use safety chains as well, and make an X when you attach them. The chains could minimize damage if your trailer becomes unhitched. Make sure that you’re using the correct size ball for your trailer hitch; if they’re not a perfect fit, the trailer could pop off.
If you don’t already have a trailer-brake controller in your vehicle, make sure to install one. Although time-delay brake controllers may be cheaper, the best kind to get are proportional Brake Controllers in North Dakota. This type of controller sends a braking signal to your trailer according to your vehicle’s rate of deceleration. You’ll want to experiment a little bit to find the most comfortable setting. The brake controller can also help you while you’re driving. If your trailer starts to sway, hit the boost button to get it back under control. For more information about Brake Controllers in North Dakota, visit Pioneerwheel.com.
