Do you want to buy a boat or travel trailer for weekend trips? Are you moving and need to tow a cargo trailer to haul your belongings?
Learning to tow a trailer might have you feeling a little nervous. Towing a trailer requires you to be even more alert than usual when driving, as well as being more prepared before you hit the road.
Whether you’re getting ready to tow for the first time or are an experienced hauler looking for a refresher, our guide to towing safely will help you be more confident when towing on the road.
Well before you hook up a trailer and hit the road, you should spend some time understanding your vehicle and trailer. Different vehicles have different towing capabilities that make them better suited for towing different types of cargo.
A full-size pickup truck with a towing package, for example, is going to be able to pull more than a small SUV. If you already have a tow vehicle, be sure to read up on its specifications so you know what it’s rated to pull safely. You can find information on the amount of weight your vehicle can tow in the owner’s manual.
Remember to consider the empty weight of your trailer in addition to the cargo you load. Let’s say you have a vehicle that’s rated to pull 5,000 pounds and want to haul your belongings in a cargo trailer. The cargo trailer weighs 2,000 pounds by itself, meaning you’ll only be able to add up to 3,000 pounds of cargo before hitting the maximum tow weight of your vehicle.
If you haven’t bought a tow vehicle and trailer yet, be sure to mention the size and type of trailers you plan to pull when visiting dealerships. You don’t want to spend a bunch of money on a new vehicle, only to find out it doesn’t have the capacity to haul the trailer you bought for it.
Most people tow using a bumper pull, which means your trailer attaches to a hitch that’s connected to the rear of your vehicle.
Your bumper should have a slot where you can insert a metal ball hitch and secure it with a metal pin. The trailer is secured to your vehicle because the trailer hitch is too narrow to fit back over the ball without first unlocking.
Once your hitch is securely attached and ready for the trailer, you can follow these tips to safely hook up the trailer:
Loading your trailer might seem like the easiest part of towing, but it can lead to swaying if not done correctly. Follow these safety tips when loading your trailer:
With the trailer attached and loaded, it’s time to hit the road. Driving with a trailer is a lot like driving in the rain — you’ll need to go slower, be defensive, and think ahead. Use these guidelines when towing a trailer:
The best way to safely tow a trailer is to get used to towing. Try to spend time practicing towing your vehicle on quiet roads or in empty parking lots before you get on a busy highway. Consider using traffic cones to drive through an obstacle course and remember to practice backing up.
With enough practice and time towing on the road, you’ll be able to easily hook up a trailer and tow it with confidence.
Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only and is not a direct representation of coverages offered by Wawanesa or its policies. The information does not refer to any specific contract of insurance and does not modify any definitions, provisions, exclusions or limitations expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. All references within the above content are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. The terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in a claim are determinative as to whether an accident or other loss is covered. To understand the coverage under your current policy, please log into the account management platform to review your policy or contact an agent directly.
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