Towing Gear Basics

Towing a trailer involves many intricate pieces. We don’t think about them because, for many of us, it’s second nature by now. From the supplies you carry to how you prep for the trip, there’s quite a bit that goes into the haul. Today, we want to take a look at some of that preparation, starting with towing gear basics and ending with a few tips on transporting.

Stock Up On Supplies

Did you know that there is gear involved with towing? Many of these are easy to overlook but they’re all important to carry. They include:

Spare tires;
A fire extinguisher;
A mount for your fire extinguisher;
Safety signage, such as reflective triangles;
Fuses for both your towing vehicle and trailer;
The right kind of hitch along with a pin and lock for it;
A tire pressure gauge;
A trailer jack;
Tow straps and bungee cords;
And a first aid kit.

Secure Your Wheels

Any list talking about towing gear basics would be remiss if it didn’t cover one more piece of equipment that you need: wheel chocks. These are incredibly helpful for keeping your trailer from rolling away after detaching it from your towing vehicle.

Know Your Towing Vehicle & Trailer’s GVWR

Beyond towing gear basics, there are a couple of things you should know before you get started. GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, is a measurement of what you can haul. Both are important, as your vehicle can only tow so much total weight and your trailer can equally only hold so much.

And don’t forget tongue weight: this is an important measurement to keep your towing experience safe.

Check For Proper Tire Inflation

Before you leave, you should also check your tires for proper inflation. This includes your towing vehicle and your trailer.

Remember a few moments ago in our list of towing gear basics when we mentioned a tire pressure gauge? Here is where it comes in handy! Before you start loading and leave for your trip, make certain that your tires are fully inflated.

Balance The Load

Another great tip for towing is to balance the load properly. In many cases, putting more of the weight near the front will help with steering. From left to right, however, your load should be evenly distributed.

And once again, let’s revisit our list of towing gear basics from above. Those tow straps and bungee cords will come in handy here with properly fastening your load to the trailer deck!

Accelerate & Break Smoothly

As a final note, with everything properly loaded and your towing vehicle stocked up, it’s finally time to hit the road. However, keep in mind that your car or truck will handle differently now. Acceleration and braking will both take longer, so be sure to take both of these into account as you drive.