When you’re moseying down the highway with a heavy trailer hooked up to your truck, there are a lot of things that could go wrong. Exorbitant fees, false parking tickets, and even cars that get towed away without any apparent reason.
Understanding the towing process can help alleviate stress during unexpected roadside incidents. This is especially important when you’re waiting on a tow truck. Click the Towing Company Phoenix to learn more.
The best way to ensure safe towing is to choose expert towers that are knowledgeable of the process. They can quickly arrive, assess the situation, and move the vehicle to a safe location away from traffic. They can also provide roadside assistance services like activating hazard lights and setting up flares or reflective triangles as needed.
It’s important for a driver to adjust their driving style when towing. They should increase their following distance, anticipate braking times, and practice smooth and gradual movements to maintain control. Drivers should also practice safe towing speeds that take into account weather, road conditions, and trailer weight. In addition, drivers should use their mirrors effectively to avoid blind spots and check on the condition of the vehicle and trailer.
Before leaving for a towing job, it’s critical to ensure the tow truck and trailer are in good working condition. This includes ensuring the tow truck’s tires are properly inflated and the trailer’s safety chains are crisscrossed and securely connected. It’s also a good idea to double-check the wiring between the tow vehicle and trailer to make sure it’s loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or touching the road, yet tight enough not to pull on the wires.
If you’re new to towing, it’s a good idea to practice with an empty parking lot before heading out on the road. This is a risk-free way to get a feel for the towing experience and iron out any kinks in your technique. It’s also a great time to check that your running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are all functioning properly. This will help other drivers see your trailer better, especially at night.
Don’t Be Afraid to Leave Extra Space
It is easy to forget that your vehicle is towing a heavy load behind it. This can be dangerous and lead to accidents, especially in situations like braking or turning. Always leave extra space between your vehicle and the car in front of you when towing, especially on windy or hilly roads.
The added weight of a trailer causes acceleration and braking times to be slower. It also takes longer to make turns, and it’s important to know this before driving. It’s a good idea to practice in an empty parking lot before heading out on the road.
A trailer should never be loaded with more items than the manufacturer has rated it for. This could put the vehicle over its gross weight rating, which can cause instability and sway while towing. It’s also important to use a high-quality ball and mount and make sure it is properly tightened.
Leaving extra space also helps to ensure you have time to react to sudden changes in the road. Things happen fast on the road, and you need to be able to stop your vehicle and trailer quickly in case of an emergency.
Always keep your trailer’s hazard lights on and dipped headlights on the towing vehicle. Also, the driver of the towed car must be present in the driver’s seat. This is important to ensure that the towed vehicle has a functioning driver in case of an accident. It is illegal to tow a car without the driver in the vehicle. If you are unsure how to do this, ask your towing company for instructions before you hit the road. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Be Prepared for Sway
Regardless of how much experience you have towing, it is possible to experience trailer sway. This occurs when a strong force acts on the trailer from one side, causing it to move from side to side. Often, this is caused by windy conditions or passing another vehicle, especially at high speeds. It is important to keep these factors in mind when planning trips that include a trailer. Sway can be incredibly dangerous to both the driver and the passengers in the vehicle. Luckily, there are several ways to prepare for and prevent this issue from happening.
The most important thing to remember is not to panic when the trailer begins to sway. Rather, you should remain calm and focus on slowing down as much as possible. This can be done by removing your foot from the gas pedal so that your speed decreases gradually. If your trailer has a braking system, this can also be used to help control the situation.
Additionally, you can prevent sway by ensuring that your trailer is level when it is attached to the towing vehicle. This will reduce the amount of friction between the tires of your tow vehicle and trailer, which can cause them to sway. Using a weight distribution hitch with built-in sway control will further reduce this friction and enhance the stability of your towing setup.
It is also crucial to ensure that your trailer tongue weighs around 10-15% of the fully loaded trailer weight. Too much tongue weight will diminish the vehicle’s handling, while too little may cause sway. It is also important to evenly distribute the load inside of the trailer, placing heavier items closer to the axles.
Have a Full-Size Spare
Whether your vehicle came with a full-size spare or you have upgraded to a compact temporary (or “donut”) spare, be sure to use it for the purpose it is designed. It should not be used for towing because it is not a tire that will handle the added stress.
The difference between the two is that a full-size spare is an exact replica of your existing tires and wheels, while a donut is smaller and meant only for temporary use. The key is to know what you are using and how to change a tire in case the need arises. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, have someone show you or make sure you have roadside assistance with your plan.
If you have a full-size spare, be sure it is not only properly inflated but that the tread is not dry rotted and that the rim is not damaged or missing a hubcap. Also, if your car has a TPMS system you will need to have the spare’s rim and tire reprogrammed.
Keeping a full-size spare in your trunk is not only a good idea, it should be part of your scheduled tire rotation. This will help to spread the wear and tear across five tires instead of four, helping to reduce the overall strain on your engine. Check the spare often for damage, and always have it inflated to proper pressure so that when it is promoted to permanent status you can be prepared. It is much better to be ready for an emergency than to find yourself stuck in a ditch with a flat spare. Hopefully, you will never need to put it to the test but it is always best to be prepared!
Don’t Be Afraid to Drive Slowly
When towing, it is important to keep in mind that your vehicle’s acceleration and braking abilities are diminished. It takes about twice as long for a vehicle towing a trailer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph than it does without a trailer.
As a result, it’s very important to maintain a safe following distance and begin braking earlier than you normally would if you weren’t towing. This isn’t just good for safety, but it also helps prolong the life of your brakes and trailer.
Increasing your speed will increase trailer sway, which makes it harder to maneuver on the road and can put you at risk for fishtailing or even flipping. Speed will also decrease your fuel economy, as more of your engine’s power is used to overcome aerodynamic drag at higher speeds.
Towing requires your undivided attention, so it’s essential to turn off your cell phone, stop fiddling with the stereo and navigation system and focus on the road ahead of you. Driving while distracted is a leading cause of accidents when towing, and it is especially dangerous for first-time trailer drivers.
If you’re unsure of how to drive with a trailer, practice in an empty parking lot until you feel comfortable. Then, choose some quiet back roads and start putting what you’ve learned into action. With a little time and practice, driving with a trailer will become as natural as it is to drive your regular vehicle. And remember, expert towing companies are always available for quick response to help get you safely back on the road. Just make sure to follow any safety protocols recommended by roadside assistance providers or by law enforcement.