| I've seen many people pulling trailers that could use a | | | | - Tie-down securely so you're not losing stuff along the |
| little advice regarding how best to do it. Here is a good | | | | way. It also keeps things from shifting and falling into |
| starting point - the basics. You'll learn more about how | | | | the path of traffic. |
| to haul a trailer by simply doing it, but having some | | | | - Use straps instead of rope, and use chains and |
| "heads up" before you start is always a good idea. | | | | boomers for heavy loads. Straps provide good width |
| The keys to trailer hauling are: | | | | for grip and they are easy to snug up and keep snug. |
| - Start out slowly if you're inexperienced. Learn by | | | | Rope is a pain to deal with and not effective for |
| doing, not by over-doing. | | | | serious hauling. |
| - Big heavy trailers require large powerful trucks. | | | | - Stop and check a short while after you get going |
| Match the truck with the trailer. Cars should only be | | | | and periodically throughout the haul to make certain |
| used to haul a lightweight trailer | | | | your straps and boomers are tight. Usually, it only takes |
| - Going backwards means turning the wheel to the left | | | | a short while for the load to settle and hold-down gear |
| makes the trailer go to the right. Hauling a trailer in | | | | to loosen up to the point where it needs to be |
| reverse can be counter-intuitive, so go slow and easy | | | | tightened again. |
| until you know what you're doing. | | | | - Look behind you as you drive, almost as often as |
| - Trailers turn short going forward and turn sharp going | | | | you're looking ahead. Be mindful of what your trailer |
| in reverse. Swing a bit wide with your forward turns | | | | and load is doing back there. |
| and watch carefully and go slowly when in reverse. | | | | - Leave more time and distance for startup and |
| - You need tongue weight to hold the trailer onto the | | | | braking. |
| hitch and give you adequate traction for pulling the load. | | | | - Make certain your lights work - running lights, brake |
| Load the trailer accordingly. | | | | lights and turn signals. |
| - Have good tires and a spare tire. Good tread keeps | | | | - Use safety chains to keep your trailer with your truck |
| the trailer following straight behind you, and having a | | | | should the hitch fail. |
| spare is just as important for what you're pulling as | | | | - Cover your load. If you're hauling things that can fly |
| what's pulling it. | | | | out or release dirt, rocks or small pieces, then you |
| - Put the weight over the axle(s). Keeping weight | | | | need to put a good cover over it. |
| centered over the axle means it's carrying the weight | | | | Those are the basics. The best advice for the |
| more than other parts of the frame. Too much weight | | | | beginner is to take it slow and easy so you can learn |
| in front of the axle means your truck will be pulled | | | | as you go. It's a bit like having another vehicle attached |
| down in the back, causing poor steering control. Too | | | | to you, so you'll want to be careful that you have |
| much weight behind the axle means you'll be lifting your | | | | control over both what's pulling and what's being pulled. |
| truck and reducing traction. | | | | |