When you buy the trailer of your dreams, you will be happy. But don’t rush on the road directly, make sure you know how to drive it correctly.
Preparation before departure
The most important thing is to confirm the towing capacity of the vehicle and the weight of the trailer. Please make sure that the weight of the trailer does not exceed 60% of the towing capacity of the vehicle!
Check the tires.
Before departure, not only need to check the tires of the pickup truck, but also the tires of the trailer. Because the trailer is usually placed for several months and stored outdoors before being used. These are all factors that lead to dry rot or cracking of tires. In addition, don't forget to tighten all wheel lug nuts to the specified torque.
The hitch ball matches the trailer.
Incorrectly sized hitch balls are the No. 1 cause of trailer accidents. The larger the hitch ball, the greater the weight it can carry. The size of the hook ball usually has the following three specifications:
● 1 7/8 inch (4.8 cm for light-duty towing)
● 2 inch (5.1 cm for medium-duty towing)
● 2 5/16 inch (5.9 cm for heavy-duty towing)
How to choose a hitch ball?
> Step 1: Match the Ball to the Coupler Size (Most manufacturers will mark the correct hitch ball size on the coupler)
> Step 2: Match the Shank to the Trailer Ball Hole
> Step 3: Match the Weight Capacity of Your Towing System
Check the trailer lights.
Before hitting on the road, please check that the electrical wiring system of the trailer is properly connected to the pickup truck. Confirm with your partner: the wire is loose enough and there is enough room to turn; at the same time, the wire should be tight enough to not touch the ground.
Driving on the road
The most important thing is to confirm the towing capacity of the vehicle and the weight of the trailer. Please make sure that the weight of the trailer does not exceed 60% of the towing capacity of the vehicle!
Familiar with the length.
Before going on the road, you need to take out your tape measure to take measurements. Is your trailer higher than the vehicle, and how much higher is it? How much length has been added to the back of your car or pickup truck? What is the turning radius? What is the response time of the vehicle?
Tips: If this is your first time towing a trailer, then practicing in an empty parking lot would be a good choice.
Accelerate or brake slowly.
Many trailers are even heavier than vehicles. The heavier the weight, the greater the inertia, whether it is acceleration or braking, the longer it takes. In order to avoid putting extra pressure on the engine, try to use coasting and gradual acceleration. When going downhill, try not to step on the brakes and slide as much as possible.
Wider turns.
You’ll need to make wider turns due to your longer length. Turn to outer lanes instead of inner lanes and don’t swing the vehicle at too sharp of an angle or else the trailer will jackknife.
The turn is too narrow.
In this case, keep calm. First make sure that there are no cars behind you, and then back up as slowly and straight as possible to make room for yourself. If you are traveling with your partner, you can get him out of the car, look at the trailer from a different angle, and provide you with steering skills.