A Complete Guide To How To Tow A Trailer

If you are an adventurer who goes on trips regularly, you probably depend on towing a trailer. Regardless of how difficult towing a trailer may seem, it is very easy once you learn the proper way.

Here is your guide to how to tow a trailer:

There are many important things you need to know in order to learn how to tow a trailer, but the two most important ones are ability to re-adjust your driving style and basic common sense. When towing a trailer, you need to drive at half of the speed you are driving when not towing. When making turns, be extra cautious and drive slower. When accelerating, be smoother. When braking, start braking earlier in order to stop. Lastly, when you change lines, consider the overall length of your vehicle and the trailer.

The towing capacity is an important number to consider. For example, if you will be towing a trailer approaching the weight of a tonne, a towing vehicle with towing capacity of a tonne at least is suggested. For towing smaller trailers, even a city car with a hitch can work. For towing larger and heavier trailers, you will definitely need a true large-capacity towing vehicle. Your best options are a truck or an SUV. However, the towing ability can vary greatly, as it depends on horsepower and torque.

Another key consideration when learning how to tow a trailer is the hitch. The hitches of trailers are rated according to the load weight capacity and tongue weight (the downward force applied on the hitch). The tongue weight is calculated at about 15% of the maximum rated gross trailer weight (GTW). Trailers are featured with couplers, which are connected with the hitch balls.

Before attaching your trailer on your vehicle, it is important to know the exact weight you will be towing. The total weight should not exceed the maximum towing capacity of your towing vehicle. Most medium and heavy-duty vehicles are factory-equipped with a Class III hitch, able to handle weights up to 2.5 tonnes. For heavier trailers, you should consider a vehicle that has a higher class hitch (Class IV might work great).

If you are planning to move heavier trailers, consider a trailer with trailer brakes. Either surge or electric, trailer brakes are must-have for larger-capacity trailers, in order to be able to stop the vehicle-trailer combination timely and safely.

The most important thing when learning how to tow a trailer is to match the capacities. Not only because of the effectiveness and safety factors, but also because of the costs. There is no need of using a high-consumer trailer if you are transporting a pop-up trailer, for example. The difference in fuel prices between trailers varies significantly, thus have this in mind.