Towing Safety Tips
Towing is a safe and easy task as long as the person has the right skills and equipment. If you are not skilled or you’re experiencing problems towing, the tips below can be of help and assist you in towing safely and easily.
Tire pressure:
The pressure of the tires should regularly be inspected. Run the tires in the maximum pressure recommended, causing them to run cooler. This will result in consuming less gas.
Bearing life:
Annually pack bearings for your trailer with the best wheel-bearing synthetic grease available. This should be twice as much for boat trailers that are often immersed, and four times as much for trailers that have to handle plenty of salty water.
Brakes:
Check how the electric brake functions as soon as possible when you start towing. Electric brake is checked by sliding the lever of the control brake, over at least an inch. Hold the brakes apart for at least 10 seconds to ensure that all the shoes of the trailer brake are functional. While pulling over, use an IR thermometer to check that all the brakes are heating up equally.
Time start:
Walk back and forth between the trailer and cab when hooking up. After connecting the plug of your trailer, turn on the four-way flashers and the parking lamps. Finally, walk behind the trailer to ensure that the turn-signal lamps are functioning properly and the running lamps are on.
Gas saver:
Before leaving for a trip, dump black-, grey-, and freshwater tanks to save fueling your RV towing trailer. The freshwater tanks should be topped up near or at your destination.
Check the load:
The tie-downs of the load will get loose as the suspension shakes everything regardless of how tight the tie-downs are. After every 10 miles, stop and retighten even if you have to open the door and crawl into a trailer that is enclosed.
Inspection:
Inspect the tires, wiring and hitch anytime you make a stop. Ensure that the breakaway cable and harness connector are still connected and that the hairpin and hitch pin is still holding the drawbar. Make a quick check on the nut beneath the hitch ball. Check the brake drum, tire and bearing of the wheel. There is a problem if one of the four tires or bearing is obviously hotter. It is fine to use the palm of your hand, but a non-contact infrared thermometer will keep your hands clean, and it is equally a good option.