How to Tow a Trailer - Towing Safety Tips

Before you attempt to tow a trailer, make sure you1,500 lbs., your state likely requires the trailer to have
learn to do it safely. Towing a trailer requires theits own brakes, so be sure to connect those to your
proper use of towing equipment to securely attachvehicle as well.
the trailer to your vehicle. Whether you're towing4. Register your trailer. Trailers need their own license
your boat to the lake or heavy-duty tools for work,plates. Before you take it on the road, obtain the
play it safe by using the proper towing equipmentproper registration and plates, the latter of which
and hitching methods.should be securely affixed and visible from the back
Towing equipment basicsend.
Here are definitions of the fundamental pieces of5. Know the width and length limits of cargo in your
trailer towing equipment:state. There are restrictions on how wide and long
your cargo can be before you need to use flags or
1. Trailer hitch receiver: The metal bar that attachesextra lights. For example, if you're towing long planks
to your car. You must then buy a ball mount to affixof wood, there will be a length at which your state
to this base.requires you to affix a flag or red light to the end.
2. Ball mount: The metal ball on top of the trailer hitch6. Make sure the cargo is strapped down. Bumps in
receiver.the road, hills and turns can cause cargo to shift. If
3. Trailer tongue: A bar that extends from the frontthe cargo gets off balance, it could rip the trailer off
of the trailer toward the hitch.the hitch. Make sure everything is tightly packed and
4. Coupler: An inverted cup on the end of the tongue.secured.
It fits over the ball mount to attach the trailer to7. Hook up your trailer. Now that you have the
your vehicle.equipment you need, securely attach the trailer to
Attaching trailer towing equipmentyour vehicle by following these three steps:
Follow these tips to attach your trailer to the tow- Attach the coupler to the ball mount. They should
vehicle:fit securely. If they don't, you can't tow the trailer
until you get the proper equipment.
1. Know your vehicle's towing capacity and the- Attach the safety chains between the trailer and
weight of what you're towing. You can find yourtow vehicle. Cross the chains underneath the trailer
vehicle's capacity in the owner's manual. To determinetongue, making sure they're a little slack but don't
the weight of what you're towing, include the weightdrag on the ground. Then, attach the chains to the
of the trailer itself and the object(s) on the trailer.tow vehicle itself, not the hitch. The chains are a
Take into account any extras, like the contents insidebackup safety device designed to keep the trailer
the camper or fuel in the tank of the boat.and tow vehicle connected should the hitch fail.
2. Choose a hitch with the proper rating. Hitches are- Hook up all the electrical, and then test your lights.
ranked from Class I to Class V, and their towingTake the time to learn how to properly connect and
capacity increases in each class. A Class I trailer cantow a trailer so you can reach your destination as
tow 2,000 lbs. while a Class V is rated to tow 10,000smoothly as possible. Since recreational activities like
lbs.boating and camping require towing, you don't want
3. Connect the wiring for lights and brakes. Trailersyour weekend of fun hampered by a trailer mishap.
have their own break and turn signals, so make sureYou can protect yourself and your property further
you have the proper wiring harness to connect theby carrying the proper insurance.
lights to your vehicle. If you're towing more than