How to Efficiently and Safely Tow Your Cargo Trailer
Getting a cargo trailer can make a number of transporting tasks easier. Whether you need it for work or jobs around your property, whether it’s transporting tools or recreational gear, you’ll probably find the reason you bought the trailer isn’t the only reason you need it. But once it’s loaded, do you know how to safely get your cargo trailer from one place to the next?
Victory Custom Trailers is here to help you prepare for your first haul. Check out our tips for safe and efficient towing and you can contact us at our location in Metamora, Michigan, for more information on models we have available right now. We’re happy to help all those from Detroit and Flint.
Choosing the Right Tow Vehicle
The key to safety on the road is working with all the right equipment. This will start with making sure you’re using the right tow vehicle. Different cars, trucks, and SUVs have different towing weight limits, and overloading your tow vehicle can not only be dangerous, it’s illegal. To know if your current option works for what you need, you’ll need to find the manufacturer’s recommended gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR. That’s the number you can’t exceed at the weigh station.
The right equipment doesn’t end with the tow vehicle. The hitch also needs to be able to handle the demands of the trailer and tow vehicle. Other important accessories include:
Towing chains
Lights
Brakes
Backup camera
Sway bar
Basic maintenance tools
Proper Hitching Technique
You also need to make sure you’ve properly hitched your trailer up to your tow vehicle. Of course, the best resource for this will be your owner’s manual, but there are a few general tips you can always rely on:
Make sure you’re on flat, even ground and that you take things slowly to avoid improper hitching that will need to be redone.
Inspect every aspect of the connection before hitting the road to avoid an accident.
Properly connect the breakaway chains by crossing them under the tongue of the hitch and hooking them from the trailer to the corners of your rear bumper.
Test your turn signals and brake lights to ensure proper electrical connection.
Familiarize yourself with how you’ll reduce blindspots as much as possible.
Most importantly though, if you're new to towing or you’re new to a particular trailer, you’ll want to spend some time practicing hitching and driving. Give yourself the space and time you need to be more confident behind the wheel, so your first haul won’t be so stressful.
Driving Tips
Once you’re behind the wheel, you’ll need to be focused and confident (hence why practicing is so important). You’ll often be the larger, heavier vehicle, so you’ll be responsible for your own safety and the safety of those around you.
Increase Following Distance
You won’t be able to stop or change directions as quickly when you’re towing a loaded cargo trailer, but that won’t stop cars in front of you from slamming on their brakes in an emergency or just because they’re not great drivers.
It’s up to you to increase your following distance and give yourself the time and space you need to stop. You might also want to decrease your speed so it’s easier to come to a stop, if needed.
Scan Ahead for Obstacles and Traffic Changes
Being proactive as opposed to reactive is a quintessential part of towing a cargo trailer. Keep your eyes peeled for road hazards and changes that may force you to change your speed or make plans to navigate around the issue. But as we mentioned, your towing unit will be slower to respond, so seeing and anticipating the problem well in advance is very important.
Controlling Trailer Sway
One of the biggest worst case scenarios when towing a cargo trailer is trailer sway. Once the trailer starts sliding back and forth, it can start to drag the tow vehicle with it and you can quickly lose control of the entire unit. That’s why getting a sway bar is so important, as its only job is to prevent trailer sway.
If you do find yourself losing control, remain calm. Keep the nose of your tow vehicle pointed in the direction you want to be in and carefully apply the brakes. If you can’t mitigate the problem, pull over as quickly and safely as possible to assess the problem.
With the right plan and a little practice, you’ll become an expert tow vehicle operator in no time. This can make towing your cargo trailer easier and less daunting so you’ll be more excited about using it when you need it. Don’t have a cargo trailer? Stop by Victory Custom Trailers and let one of our experienced staff give you the complete tour. We proudly serve Metamora, Detroit, and Flint, Michigan.