Please consider this free-reprint article written by: W. H.
Ingle

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Article Title: Towing Your New Trailer
Author: W. H. Ingle
Word Count: 1219
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?id=3533&ca=Automotive
Format: 64cpl
Author's Email Address: autosonnet@...
Online Publisher Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?id=3533

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You have bought a new trailer and have your first trip all
planned out. Are you ready to start out on your trip? Assuming
you have done all inspections for your trailer and cargo, then
here are a few tips for being on the road and towing your
trailer safely. Remember, there is a big difference between
just driving your vehicle and hauling a load behind it.
Handling characteristics will be startlingly different.
Practicing on roads with little traffic or even in empty
parking lots will help to give you a feel for how your vehicle
will handle in different situations. And while in a deserted
parking lot, it is a good time to practice backing and parking.


To back a trailer, turn your wheel right to back right and turn
your wheel left to back left. Oversteering can cause the trailer
to turn sharply, so do gradual movements. If you get in a bind,
just pull forward and straighten everything out and try again.

Don't forget to consult your vehicles's owners manual for
information on the correct driving gear when towing. If your
manual is unavailable, call the dealer for your make of
vehicle. Usually the service department has all the information
you need and may have a few tips on the do's and don'ts that may
be useful to you.

Always drive at moderate speeds when towing. Some states even
have laws and regulations for driving a certain speed below the
posted limit when towing a trailer. Just be sure to leave plenty
of time for your trip and don't get in a hurry. This will also
put less strain on your towing vehicle and may help in avoiding
breakdowns. Also, driving at moderate speeds can avoid trailer
sway .

While driving, it is essential you stay alert for potential
problems ahead. Lane changes and braking are best when planned.
Heavy braking can cause great problems such as sliding or even
jack knifing, not to mention the extreme strain on your
trailer, cargo or animals. A good rule of thumb on following
distance of the vehicle in front of you is one and a half to
two car lengths for every ten miles an hour of speed when
towing. If people pull in front of you, drop back. Better safe
than sorry. Try to anticipate having to stop for lights or
traffic and begin slowing ahead of time. Remember, your braking
time and distance are going to increase with a heavy load behind
you. Try to avoid sudden steering maneuvers that could put you
out of control when towing a load.

If the road you are traveling is bumpy or even gravel, you will
need to travel at much slower speeds to maintain control. Gravel
or "rutty" roads can even cause your vehicle and/or trailer to
"float" and cause you to face disaster. Road and weather
conditions will have an even greater effect on how you drive
when towing.

When you make your first turn towing a trailer, you must
remember to compensate for a much wider turn. The trailer's
wheels will be much further to the inside of a turn than the
towing vehicle's. The trailer will ride up on the curb, or into
a ditch or, on left turns, even sideswipe vehicles.

There are other problems on the highway in dealing with other
traffic and wind conditions. Large vehicles can cause wind
shifts as they pass you. Just keep your hands on the wheel
firmly and avoid over compensating. If the winds start your
trailer swaying, do not hit the brakes. Instead, use the
trailer brake activator to lightly apply the brakes on your
trailer. Try shifting into a lower gear and decreasing the
speed of your vehicle. Just hitting the brakes on the tow
vehicle can make the sway worse as centrifugal force pushes the
trailer forward.

If you have to pass another vehicle by changing lanes, please
anticipate the much longer time needed for most vehicles when
towing. Signal well in advance. Avoid passing on steep
grades.You will need to start acceleration earlier and realize
your tow vehicle will need much more time to pass when carrying
a load. Make sure there is plenty of time to avoid oncoming
traffic and leave plenty of clearance before moving back into
your lane. You don't want to hit the vehicle your passing with
your trailer.

When traveling on roads with soft shoulders, avoid getting the
trailer wheels off the pavement. Contacting the soft shoulder
can cause the trailer to start to sway. If it happens, don't
panic. Do not try to steer right back onto the pavement or hard
surface. Take your foot off the gas pedal but don't hit the tow
vehicles brakes. Activate the trailer brakes by hand and easily
tap your vehicle brakes. Downshift if possible. When you have
reached a much slower speed and your trailer is under control,
gradually ease the wheels back onto the road.

When encountering steep grades you will notice different
handling characteristics when towing. On a steep downhill grade
the trailer can actually push your vehicle. Anticipate this and
downshift and let off the gas a little. You may have to use
your trailer brakes hand control to slow you but don't ride
them. Only tap them intermittently to avoid overheating of the
brakes and ultimately, brake failure.. When facing a steep
upgrade you should start accelerating early if possible. Again,
you may have to downshift and keep increasing your gas pedal to
compensate for the drag on you going uphill. As you reach the
crest of the grade start backing off the pedal. A steep grade
will test your tow vehicles limits.

Once you have reached your destination you have to find a place
to park your "rig". It's best to avoid parking on a grade. The
more level the parking area the better. If you have to park on
a grade, it is best to chock the wheels. Hopefully, you have
some with you. If you have someone to help, have them guide you
into the spot. You can't always rely on the mirrors as the
trailer may block your view. Once stopped, keep your foot on
the brake, turn your wheels toward the curb (pointed in on a
down hill, out on an uphill), apply the parking brake and then
shift into park, or with a manual, your lowest gear. This
method helps avoid locking your transmission due to the extra
load.

If you are on even a small grade and you plan to unhitch your
trailer, you must apply chocks to the trailers wheels to avoid
the trailer from rolling away when uncoupled. Just having the
lift down will not make it stable. Jack stands also come in
handy to level your load.I hope this article has provided you
with useful information but it is not intended to be the " be
all and end all" of trailering safety. Read everything you can
and talk to other more experienced trailer owners for tips on
do's and don'ts. Contact your state governments transportation
department and familiarize yourself with laws, regulations and
even local ordinances regarding trailers and towing.


About The Author: W. H. Ingle is the webmaster for
http://www.longhornsales.com and a published author
specializing in articles on the subject of trailering and
transporting cargo and livestock.
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