Towing: A Guide To Safety & Success
When your pick-up truck is no longer sufficient for carrying all your gear to a job site, you’ve expanded your business and need to haul heavy equipment, or you need a safe and reliable way to take your ATV to ride the scenic mountain trails in north Georgia, a bumper-pull trailer is an ideal choice. However, towing a heavy-duty, fully loaded trailer requires more expertise than simply driving a truck or car. That’s why we’ve put together this towing guide to safety and success.
Safe Towing 101
Understanding your equipment, practicing proper techniques, and maintaining constant awareness of your surroundings are essential for towing safety and success before hooking up your trailer and hitting the road.
Understanding Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The absolute first step before considering a trailer is to understand your towing vehicle’s capacity. You can find this information in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on a placard mounted on the inside panel of the driver’s door. Exceeding this capacity is illegal and can lead to serious safety hazards and damage to your vehicle.
Understanding Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is essential. These ratings determine the maximum allowable weight of your tow vehicle and trailer combined. For instance, if you’re eyeing a Bigfoot equipment trailer for your mini excavator, you must ensure your pick-up truck can safely handle the combined weight.
Proper Hitching and Connection
Ensure the hitch ball on your tow vehicle matches the size of the coupler on your trailer. Properly lower the coupler onto the ball and engage the locking mechanism. Bigfoot trailers and car haulers feature the Demco EZ-Latch system that automatically locks into place.
- Safety Chains: Always cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to the designated points on your tow vehicle. This technique creates a cradle in case of a hitch failure.
- Breakaway Cable: If your trailer has electric brakes, connect the breakaway cable to a separate point on your tow vehicle, not the hitch itself. If the cable detaches from your vehicle, it will activate the trailer’s brakes.
- Electrical Connection: Plug in the electrical connector to power your trailer’s lights (tail lights, brake lights, turn signals) and, if applicable, the electric brakes. Test brakes and lights before departing.
Weight Distribution and Loading
One of the most critical aspects of safe towing is how you load your trailer. Never overload the trailer. Improper weight distribution can lead to dangerous trailer sway,loss of control, and increased stopping distances.
- Center of Gravity: Load heavier items low and over the trailer axles. Distribute weight evenly from side to side. So, when loading a Bigfoot utility trailer with materials for a job site, ensure the heaviest materials or machinery are centered over the axles to maintain balance.
- Secure Your Load: Use tie-downs to secure all items to prevent shifting. Shifting can dramatically affect stability and cause damage to your vehicle and equipment. They can also become projectiles if you have to brake suddenly and they fall out of the bed.
Hitting The Road with a Trailer in Tow
Driving with a trailer requires a different mindset and adjustments to your driving habits. Your combined vehicle and trailer will be significantly heavier, meaning it will take much longer to stop and require more room to turn. Maintain greater following distances than you usually would.
- Brake Gradually: Avoid slamming on your brakes. It can cause the trailer to smack into the tow vehicle or even jackknife. Instead, apply the brakes smoothly and gradually. If your trailer has electric brakes, consider using a brake controller to manually apply trailer brakes in certain situations, like controlling sway.
- Wind and Weather: Be extra cautious in windy conditions, as crosswinds can cause significant trailer sway. Reduce your speed and increase stopping distances as rain and snow will reduce traction and limit visibility.
Maintaining Your Equipment Trailer
Regular maintenance is crucial for safety and longevity. Before every haul, always check:
- Tires: Check tire pressure on your tow vehicle and trailer before every trip. Ensure tires are correctly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Inspect for wear, cracks, and punctures.
- Brakes: Regularly inspect your trailer brakes and the braking system on your tow vehicle.
- Lights: Test all LED lights before every trip.
- Bearings: Periodically inspect and grease trailer wheel bearings, if necessary.
- Hitch and Coupler: Check your hitch, hitch ball, and trailer coupler for signs of wear, damage, or corrosion. Replace damaged components.
Towing a trailer opens the door to a world of possibilities, from expanding your business capabilities to embarking on new adventures. By understanding the fundamentals of towing, practicing safe driving habits, and maintaining equipment, beginners can confidently and successfully navigate the roads with their bumper-pull trailers.
Where to Buy a Custom Trailer Near Me
Welcome to the world of hauling. Bigfoot delivers premium custom trailers handcrafted in the USA! We take the guesswork out of purchasing rugged deckover equipment and custom bumper pull trailers for any haul. As a factory-direct manufacturer, we provide service in the entire Eastern United States with locations in Baltimore, MD; Concord, NH; Norfolk, VA; Raleigh, NC; and by appointment with retailers in Fort Myers and Marianna, FL. Contact us at https://www.bigfoottrailers.net/ for a free quote. Ask about our financing and rent-to-own options.
