Sunday, 15 September 2013

Why Towing Safety Is Important?

By Randy Craft


There are several situations when it may become necessary to pull another object or vehicle behind one's car or truck. Perhaps someone is moving and would like to transport their own belongings rather than hire a company, or they're going camping, or perhaps maybe they just need to get their boat out to the water. For those occasions, it is important to have a grasp of towing safety.

Hauling in this manner can be quite convenient but it also has its risks. Those who are considering this undertaking should make the effort to have a basic understanding of how to properly distribute the load weight, park, pass, break and turn. This general knowledge goes a long way to reducing accidents and keeping everyone on the road much safer.

Weight distribution is of the utmost importance. Regardless of what or who is being towed in the box trailers, it is imperative that it not get too heavy on one side or over a single axle because it makes things unbalanced. Follow the restrictions that came with the hitch to make sure it can handle the pressure that one is planning to place on it.

Parking is much easier when two work together. One stays inside with the brake held firmly while the other places stops either in front of or behind the wheels of the trailer, depending on whether or not they are on an up or downgrade. In an automatic, the vehicle should be put in park before releasing the brake, and in either reverse or first in a manual.

When changing lanes and passing, the rules are basically the same with some slight alterations such as giving the signal with more advance notice and making sure to allow for the extra length before merging back to the drive lane. This transaction should never be attempted on either an up or down steep grade. Leaving the full length of the total unit for every 10mph between the vehicle and the one in front will allow more stopping space.

Turning is an area where the risks of tipping or jackknifing are quite high. Sudden moves and quick stops should be avoided at all costs because it shifts the weight and knocks things off balance. Take turns slowly and allow more room on the inside of a right angles so that the trailer wheels will clear the curb.

Towing safety is largely a matter of careful thinking. Keeping conscious thought of all the extra weight and length on the rear of the vehicle is a key factor. One should watch their speed, especially in bad conditions to avoid skidding.




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