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Safe Towing Tips for Using Trailer Hitches

No Passengers in Trailers!

When you use car hitches to tow anything never allow people in trailers that you are towing, under any circumstances.

Trailer Loading

Proper loading of the trailer that you are towing with your car trailer hitch helps prevent sway. Place heavy objects on the floor, ahead of the axle. Balance the load side-to-side. Secure it to prevent shifting. The car hitch tongue weight should be 10-15 percent of gross weight for most trailers. To low a percentage of tongue weight can cause sway. NEVER load the trailer rear-heavy. LOAD THE TRAILER HEAVIER IN FRONT.

Driving While Using Your Trailer Hitch

The additional weight of a trailer while using a trailer hitch affects acceleration, braking and handling. Allow extra time for passing, stopping and changing lanes. Severe bumps can damage your towing vehicle, hitch, and your trailer. Drive slowly on rough roads. STOP AND MAKE A THOROUGH INSPECTION IF ANY PART OF YOUR TRAILER HITCH OR TOWING SYSTEM STRIKES THE ROAD. CORRECT ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE RESUMING TRAVEL.

Check for Excessive Sway and Eliminate it

Excessive sway can lead to loss of control. Sway motion should settle out quickly. Sway tends to increase on a downgrade. Starting slowly, increase speed in gradual steps. If sway occurs, adjust your trailer load and equipment. Repeat until the trailer is stable at highway speed. Do this whenever your trailer loading changes.

If Your Trailer Suddenly Starts to Sway

Turbulence from another vehicle, a wind gust, or a downgrade can cause sudden sway. So can a shift of the trailers load or a trailer tire blowout. IF THE TRAILER SWAYS, IT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Below are suggestions that may apply to your car hitch towing situation, depending on conditions:

DO

• Reduce your speed gradually.
• Hold the steering wheel as steady as possible.
• If your trailer has electric brakes, apply the trailer brakes alone, without using the tow vehicle's brakes

DON'T

• Don't hit your brake pedal hard unless absolutely necessary. A "jackknife" can result.
• Don't try to steer out of the sway condition. Sudden or violent steering can make it worse.
• Don't speed up. Sway increases as you go faster.
• • Don't continue towing a trailer with your car hitch that tends to sway. You may lose control during an emergency maneuver or if the conditions listed above occur.

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