| You have bought a new trailer and you are ready to | | | | sway. If it happens, do not panic. Do not try to steer |
| start out for the first time. Here are a few tips for | | | | right back onto the pavement or hard surface. Take |
| towing your trailer safely. Remember handling | | | | your foot off the gas pedal but do not hit the tow |
| characteristics will be startlingly different so practicing | | | | vehicles brakes. Activate the trailer brakes by hand |
| on quiet roads till you get a feel for how your vehicle | | | | and easily tap your vehicle brakes. Downshift if |
| responds both forwards and reversing. When turning | | | | possible. When you have reached a much slower |
| while towing a trailer you must learn to compensate | | | | speed and your trailer is under control, gradually ease |
| for a much wider turn. The trailers wheels will be much | | | | the wheels back onto the road. |
| closer to the kerb than the towing vehicles. The trailer | | | | When encountering steep grades you will notice |
| will bump onto the curb if great care is not taken. | | | | different handling characteristics when towing. On a |
| Always look at your vehicle handbook before fixing on | | | | steep downhill grade the trailer can actually push your |
| towing equipment. | | | | vehicle. Anticipate this and downshift and let off the |
| Always drive at moderate speeds when towing. | | | | gas a little. You may have to use your trailer brakes |
| Some states even have laws and regulations for | | | | hand control to slow you but do not ride them. Only |
| driving a certain speed below the posted limit when | | | | tap them intermittently to avoid overheating of the |
| towing a trailer. Just be sure to leave plenty of time for | | | | brakes and ultimately, brake failure.. When facing a |
| your trip and do not get in a hurry. This will also put | | | | steep upgrade you should start accelerating early if |
| less strain on your towing vehicle and may help in | | | | possible. Again, you may have to downshift and keep |
| avoiding breakdowns. Also, driving at moderate | | | | increasing your gas pedal to compensate for the drag |
| speeds can help to avoid trailer sway. | | | | on you going uphill. As you reach the crest of the |
| Planning ahead is essential as your braking distance will | | | | grade start backing off the pedal. A steep grade will |
| be increased so anticipate and brake early to avoid | | | | test your tow vehicles limits. |
| harsh braking or worse not being able to stop in time. | | | | Once you have reached your destination you have to |
| Heavy braking can cause jack knifing and loss of | | | | find a place to park your "rig". Its best to avoid parking |
| control. | | | | on a grade. The more level the parking area the better. |
| Travelling on a bumpy road can cause an effect | | | | If you have to park on a grade, it is best to chock the |
| known as floating and the only way to avoid this is to | | | | wheels. Hopefully, you have some with you. If you |
| reduce speed. There are other problems in dealing | | | | have someone to help, have them guide you into the |
| with other traffic and wind conditions. Large vehicles | | | | spot. You can not always rely on the mirrors as the |
| can cause wind shifts as they pass you. Just keep | | | | trailer may block your view. Once stopped, keep your |
| your hands firmly on the wheel and avoid panicking. If | | | | foot on the brake, turn your wheels toward the curb |
| your trailer starts swaying, do not brake sharply try to | | | | (pointed in on a down hill, out on an uphill), apply the |
| reduce speed gently using the gears. | | | | parking brake and then shift into park, or with a manual, |
| When overtaking allow extra distance to do within and | | | | your lowest gear. This method helps avoid locking your |
| never uphill. Signal well in advance and start to | | | | transmission due to the extra load. |
| accelerate earlier and remember your tow vehicle will | | | | If you are on even a small grade and you plan to |
| need much more time to pass when carrying a load. | | | | unhitch your trailer, you must apply chocks to the |
| Make sure there is plenty of time to avoid oncoming | | | | trailers wheels to avoid the trailer from rolling away |
| traffic and leave plenty of clearance before moving | | | | when uncoupled. Just having the lift down will not make |
| back into your lane. You do not want to hit the vehicle | | | | it stable. Jack stands also come in handy to level your |
| your passing with your trailer. | | | | load. I hope this article has provided you with useful |
| When travelling on roads with soft shoulders, avoid | | | | information but it is not intended to be the " be all and |
| getting the trailer wheels off the pavement. Contacting | | | | end all" of trailer safety. |
| the soft shoulder can cause the trailer to start to | | | | |