How to Avoid Common Trailer Towing Problems
Posted on: 15 January 2018
When you have a trailer attached to your vehicle, you want to be aware of how that trailer handles when you're on the road, whether it's loaded or empty. If the trailer should pull, sway, drag or otherwise handle roughly, this can create unsafe driving conditions for you and for other drivers, while also putting added wear and tear on your vehicle and the trailer itself. This can also mean an increased risk of the trailer uncoupling from the tow vehicle! If you are looking to attach a trailer to your vehicle, note a few tips on how to avoid these common towing problems to begin with so you're always safe on the road.
Weight
A loaded trailer may easily tip to one side or the other if the weight of the load is not properly dispersed or sitting along the trailer floor. As an example, if you are hauling a boat, the weight of the boat is concentrated along its top, not its bottom. In turn, that weight may be evenly dispersed when you're driving straight, but will then move to one side or the other when you turn a corner, as the boat tips into the turn. To keep the trailer from actually lifting off the ground as the weight of your load moves, keep the floor of the trailer weighed down. You might even install heavier and larger tyres, or a heavier axle that keeps the trailer properly weighted, if necessary.
Tow capacity
You know to check your vehicle's tow capacity when buying a trailer, but it's easy to forget that anything you keep in that vehicle will add to its overall weight and reduce the amount of weight you can safely tow in a trailer. If you store heavy equipment in the bed of a truck, for example, you need to figure in the weight of that equipment when determining how much weight the truck can tow. The more weight in the truck bed, the less weight it can safely tow in a trailer, so don't overlook factoring that weight into the equation when buying a trailer.
Tyres
The tyres of a vehicle that is towing a trailer will need to be extra strong, as they need to resist the added drag of the trailer itself. It can be good to upgrade the tyres of a vehicle when you buy a trailer, opting for something wider and with deeper tread for better traction. This can mean less slipping when driving up inclines and more stopping power with less chance of skidding and sliding.
Contact a company that offers trailer repairs if you experience any problems with your trailer.
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