With summer approaching, many people are making plans for vacations and weekend getaways, and many people will be hauling a camper, boat or other trailer with them. Before you hit the road, let’s review what you need to know before you tow.
Hitch
There are several different classes of trailer hitch, ranging from Class 1 up to Class 5. The class rating tells how much weight the hitch is designed to safely handle. Make sure your hitch is rated for the weight of your loaded trailer.
Chains
Safety chains are one item that you hope to never need, but they are still essential. In the event that the hitch separates from the ball while you are driving, the chains serve to keep the trailer connected to the back of the vehicle. Crossing the chains beneath the hitch will allow the chains to cradle the hitch until you can stop.
Electrical Connections and Lights
Inspect the wiring harness and check the trailer lights before you drive. Corrosion and cracked wires are common causes of lighting failure and can often be fixed quickly.
Test the trailer brakes and brake battery – if equipped – before getting on the road. Malfunctioning trailer brakes can create a dangerous situation as your vehicle brakes may not be able to stop the vehicle and trailer. Don’t forget to also check the brake lights, too!
Tongue Weight
Setting the tongue weight is important for good handling. A tongue weight of about 10-12 percent of the total trailer weight is usually just about right. A lighter tongue weight can lead to swaying, while too much tongue weight may overload the suspension on the tow vehicle.
The hitch height should be set so that the trailer is level when it is connected to the tow vehicle. An adjustable drawbar can make this easy, or different drawbars can be used for different trailers.
Check the weight with the trailer fully loaded. The loaded weight is often hundreds of pounds more than what is listed on the registration. Knowing the loaded weight is essential to be sure you have the right hitch and for setting the tongue weight.
Tire Pressure
Test the tire pressure before driving and again during trips. Underinflated tires will run hot and may fail, not to mention put a drag on your mileage. Maintaining proper inflation is important for safety and to extend the life of the tires.
Make sure your tow vehicle is in good condition, too. Towing a trailer puts a lot of extra strain on your vehicle so it is important to be sure everything is in good working order. Before you head out, plan a trip to AV Bumper-to-Bumper and let us check out and tune up your tow vehicle before you hitch up the trailer this summer. To schedule a visit, call us today at 661-9498-1999.
