The temperatures here in the Las Vegas Valley are soaring. You may be thinking of different ways that you and your family can beat the heat. The best way to beat the summer heat is simply to get out of it for a while. It is amazing what a few days away from the extreme temperatures can do to rejuvenate your soul. If your family enjoys camping there are tons of options nearby to get out of the heat and enjoy the cooler weather up in the mountains.
If your family has decided to take a trip up camping in the woods you may have a trailer that you will be towing. Many people have not towed their trailer very many times and are hesitant to do it the first few times. Here at Non Stop Towing we are frequently asked for tips on how to safely travel while towing a trailer. Today we want to share our top tips for towing your trailer so that you can enjoy your next camping trip.
Vehicle Towing Capacity
The very first thing that you want to do before hauling a trailer is make sure that you are not trying to tow something that is too large for your vehicle. Every vehicle has a towing capacity that is specific to that vehicle. If you choose to tow more weight than is recommend by your vehicle’s manufacturer you are putting yourself in a very dangerous situation. Towing too much weight can result in dangerous handling, insufficient braking performance, and serious damage to the suspension, engine, or drivetrain of your vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual to safely determine how heavy of a trailer you can safely tow.
How to Load a Trailer for Towing
Many people incorrectly assume that as long as their trailer is not too heavy for their vehicle that they can safely tow it. Please do not make this dangerous assumption! When you load your trailer you will want to distribute the weight of your cargo properly. You will want to pack 60% of the load over the front half of your trailer. You will also want to make sure that you evenly pack both the left and right side of the trailer. The tongue weight on your tow hitch should be between 10% to 15% of the overall trailer weight. If you do not know how to calculate tongue weight some research before you pack your trailer. If you do not follow these tips you increase the risk of having problems with the trailer when you are on the road with the trailer swaying.
Attach & Connect Trailer Hitch to Car Correctly
When you are attaching your trailer make sure that you double check to make sure that everything is attached properly. You will want to make sure that the safety chains are securely locked, the lights on the trailer are working, and that your license plate on the trailer can be seen.
Towing a Travel Trailer
Once you are on the road there are some driving tips that you will want to be aware of. It is best to travel a little slower than you normally would on the freeway when you are towing a trailer. You will want to make sure that you gradually reduce your speed and avoid slamming on the brakes. It is safest to travel with a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to help with this. When you make turns you will want to take your turns wider than normal to accommodate for the trailer.
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If you follow all of these tips you should be able to have a nice, safe trip with your family. If you do find yourself in need of any roadside assistance or towing needs give us a call here at Non Stop Towing.
