It’s always nice to connect your camping trailer to your vehicle and go somewhere to have a good weekend, or to haul your boat to an amazing fishing spot. Before you turn this idea into reality, you need to think about how you can safely hitch a trailer to your SUV or truck before you hit the road. When towing any object, safety should be a major priority. Here are some safety tips that will help you safely hitch a trailer to your vehicle:
Know your capacity
It’s essential to know the towing capacity of your vehicle and identify whether or not your vehicle is capable of handling the weight of your trailer. When you ignore this and exceed the maximum towing capacity, it could lead to dangerous handling and damage your vehicle’s suspension and engine. Also, your trailer hitch should be strong enough to handle your trailer’s loaded weight. A hitch is usually labeled with the maximum tongue and trailer weight. It’s necessary to follow the recommendations mentioned in the owner’s manual.
Different versions of a certain vehicle model can have different tow ratings. Bed lengths, body style, drivelines, and other components determine the tow capacity of a vehicle. So, check the owner’s manual to know the towing capacity of your vehicle. Carrying extra or heavy cargo or several passengers can overload the vehicle towing reducing its towing capacity. Exceeding the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) can create problems and ruin your trip.
Properly position your cargo
Packing the trailer properly will make life easier and safer down the road. While it’s critical to remain within the trailer’s maximum load capacity, properly positioning your cargo will make your journey stress-free. Moreover, it’s advisable to place 60% of the load over the front half of the trailer, and the total load should be evenly distributed on the right and left sides of the trailer.
Check tires
You should take a good look at tires of both your trailer and the tow vehicle. Tires need to be properly inflated whether you’re driving a car or a truck or towing something. For instance, if tires are underinflated, it will put unnecessary strain on the engine. From a safety standpoint, it’s essential to ensure correct air pressure and the health of your tires. Moreover, check the speed ratings on the tires and stay within those limits.
Related: Here Is What You Need To Know About Tire Pressure And Safety
Check brakes
If you’re planning to hitch a lighter trailer, you may not need trailer brakes. However, heavier trailers require a functional trailer brake system that can be integrated with the tow truck.
About Action Towing
As a reputable towing company in Edmonton, we provide 24/7 towing and roadside assistance services. If you need a tow truck to transport your vehicle in Edmonton, feel free to reach out to us!
