Top Rules for Towing a Trailer Efficiently

Trailer Repair Near Me

Whether you have been hauling huge trailers for a long time or this is your first vacation with the family in a travel trailer, towing is something challenging to manage for many. To use a vehicle to pull trailers, the driver needs to be amply skilled. The entire process of hitching a trailer from the tow vehicle needs detailed technical know-how. This fact is essential so that you don't compromise on safety even the slightest.
 
We have compiled a list of measures that drivers need to take before taking on the road. These points are a vital part of the pre-towing checklist. In case you need professional help, you can also grab your phone and look up 'trailer repair near me'.

   1.  Check the Tires of the Trailer

Along with your pickup truck, make sure that you check the tire pressure on the trailer. Apart from this, you can also check for cracking and dry rot. This factor will be doubly important if the trailer is parked outdoors for a long time. Tires age with time and might need a higher pressure for towing. Also, ensure that you tighten the wheel lug nuts on both the tow vehicle and the trailer according to the specified torque.

   2. Ensure that the Tow Vehicle is up to Date

Towing can cause added stress on the tow vehicle, so before you head out, ensure that its maintenance is up to speed. Maintenance includes changing the filter and oil, checking the brake pads, filling the engine coolant in the reservoir, and topping off the transmission fluid. If your trailer has brakes, get them adjusted and the wheel bearings adequately greased.

   3. Look at the Hitch Ball

In this step, you need to make sure that the croupier on the trailer and the ball on the tow hitch are the same size. If the hitch balls are sized incorrectly, it can potentially lead to accidents.

   4. Avoid getting stuck on the Side of the Road.

For this, you have to keep in mind that there should always be one spare tire in your trailer. Apart from this, keep a lug nut wrench that is made for your trailer wheels handy. In case you get a flat tire on the street, you must have a jack that you can use.

   5. Make Use of Trailer Safety Chains

Al trailers should ideally have safety chains that can be hooked to the hitch. Remember to cross the chains instead of running them straight. If anything terrible happens, and the trailer gets unchained from the tow car, the crossed chains will become a cradle for the trailer if and when it falls.

   6. Check the Trailer's Lights

Before you start driving, do a double check on the trailer's electrical wiring system. It needs to be appropriately connected to the tow vehicle. You can do so by inspecting the wire by hand or getting another person to confirm whether the trailer's brake lights, running lights, hazard lights, and turn signals are working in conjunction with the tow vehicle.

   7. Pick the Correct Hitch

Many vehicles come equipped with tow hitches that are factory installed. On the other hand, many don't, and for them, it becomes essential to find the right hitch. For this, you can go to your local trailer rental company and convey to them your towing plans. Professionals will guide you all about it. Also, connect trailer hitches to the tow vehicle's frame and not its bumper.

   8. Get Tow Mirrors

In case your tow vehicle is narrower than your trailer, you can consider getting factory tow mirrors so that you can see the blind spots. They will also help in backing up the trailer through the additional mirror width. In many nearer SUV and truck models, blind-spot warning systems are pre-installed that help warns the driver about the various blind spots and also give out warnings for the entirety of the truck's length.

   9. Invest in a Large Fuel Tank

In case you have to do frequent towing, you can order full-size pickups with large fuel tanks.

Towing consumes a lot of fuel, so investing in one might be a good idea. Also, it might not always be possible to stop at small gas stations along the way.