subject: The Fundamentals You Should Know For Your Own Safety While Towing A Trailer [print this page] Before trying to tow a trailer, make sure you know how to do it safely.Towing necessitates the proper equipment like a towing hitch to securely connect the trailer to the towing vehicle.
You ought to guarantee safety by making use of the appropriate tow hitch and methods whether you are towing a boat to the nearby lake or tools for heavy.
Towing Equipment and Towing Hitch Basics
Some of the essential towing equipment pieces you ought to know are as follows:
1. Trailer hitch receiver - The bar to metal that connects to your car. You require a ball mount to attach to the base.
2. Ball mount - The ball of metal atop the trailer hitch receiver
3. Trailer tongue - A bar from the trailers frond to the towing hitch
4. Coupler - Inverted cup at the tongues end which is placed over the ball mount to connect your vehicle and the trailer.
How to Attach the Towing Hitch
Here are some recommendations on how to attach a trailer to a tow vehicle:
1. Know the towing capacity of your vehicle in addition to the weight you are towing.
Your manual could show you the vehicles capacity. To know the weight you're towing, measure the trailers weight plus the objects on it. Account for any extras such as the inside contents of the camper or the fuel within the tank.
2. Choose the proper rating along with the tow hitch.
Hitches are categorized into Classes I to V, each category increasing in towing capacity. Class I trailers have a maximum capacity of two thousand pounds while Category V trailers have a max 10,000 lbs capacity.
3. Connect the brakes and lights wiring.
Break and turn signals is fitted into trailers. Equip your vehicle with the suitable wiring harness to attach the light to the vehicle. Trailer brakes may be required for a towing weight of over 1500 lbs. so be certain your vehicle has them as well.
4. Trailer registration is a must.
License plates are required for trailers. Before taking to the road, obtain correct plates and registration and affix the plate at the rear end.
5. Know your length of your state and width cargo limits.
Restrictions are in place regarding cargo weight and length before have to use extra lights or flags. States, for instance, require a red light or flag at the back of the vehicle for long wooden planks.
6. Strap down the cargo.
Bumps, hills and turns could shift the cargo. The trailer may be ripped of the hitch if the cargo becomes off balance. To avoid this incident tightly pack and secure everything.
7. Hook your trailer.
Attach the ball mount and coupler together. sure they fit securely. Attach safety chains between the tow vehicles and trailer as well. Cross the said chains beneath the tongue of the trailer. Attach the chain to tow vehicle and not the tow hitch. The chains work as backup safety choices that keep the tow vehicle and trailer connected if the hitch fails. Fix all electrical and check the lights.
