Safety Tips for Driving with a Trailer
Take time to practice before driving on main roads and never allow anyone to ride in or on the
trailer. Before you leave, remember to check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.
Consider the following safety tips each time you drive with a trailer.
General Handling
Use the driving gear that the manufacturer recommends for towing.
Drive at moderate speeds. This will place less strain on your tow vehicle and trailer. Trailer
instability (sway) is more likely to occur as speed increases.
Avoid sudden stops and starts that can cause skidding, sliding, or jackknifing.
Avoid sudden steering maneuvers that might create sway or undue side force on the trailer.
Slow down when traveling over bumpy roads, railroad crossings, and ditches.
Make wider turns at curves and corners. Because your trailers wheels are closer to the inside of
a turn than the wheels of your tow vehicle, they are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs.
To control swaying caused by air pressure changes and wind buffeting when larger vehicles pass
from either direction, release the accelerator pedal to slow down and keep a firm grip on the
steering wheel.
Braking
Allow considerably more distance for stopping.
If you have an electric trailer brake controller and excessive sway occurs, activate the trailer
brake controller by hand. Do not attempt to control trailer sway by applying the tow vehicle
brakes; this will generally make the sway worse.
Always anticipate the need to slow down. To reduce speed, shift to a lower gear and press the
brakes lightly.
Acceleration and Passing
When passing a slower vehicle or changing lanes, signal well in advance and make sure you
allow extra distance to clear the vehicle before you pull back into the lane.
Pass on level terrain with plenty of clearance. Avoid passing on steep upgrades or downgrades.
If necessary, downshift for improved acceleration or speed maintenance.
Take time to practice before driving on main roads and never allow anyone to ride in or on the
trailer. Before you leave, remember to check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.
Consider the following safety tips each time you drive with a trailer.
General Handling
Use the driving gear that the manufacturer recommends for towing.
Drive at moderate speeds. This will place less strain on your tow vehicle and trailer. Trailer
instability (sway) is more likely to occur as speed increases.
Avoid sudden stops and starts that can cause skidding, sliding, or jackknifing.
Avoid sudden steering maneuvers that might create sway or undue side force on the trailer.
Slow down when traveling over bumpy roads, railroad crossings, and ditches.
Make wider turns at curves and corners. Because your trailers wheels are closer to the inside of
a turn than the wheels of your tow vehicle, they are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs.
To control swaying caused by air pressure changes and wind buffeting when larger vehicles pass
from either direction, release the accelerator pedal to slow down and keep a firm grip on the
steering wheel.
Braking
Allow considerably more distance for stopping.
If you have an electric trailer brake controller and excessive sway occurs, activate the trailer
brake controller by hand. Do not attempt to control trailer sway by applying the tow vehicle
brakes; this will generally make the sway worse.
Always anticipate the need to slow down. To reduce speed, shift to a lower gear and press the
brakes lightly.
Acceleration and Passing
When passing a slower vehicle or changing lanes, signal well in advance and make sure you
allow extra distance to clear the vehicle before you pull back into the lane.
Pass on level terrain with plenty of clearance. Avoid passing on steep upgrades or downgrades.
If necessary, downshift for improved acceleration or speed maintenance.
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