Trailer Hauling Safety Guide to Avoid Common Mistakes

Many technicians are used to seeing damaged trailers come into their shop as a result of common towing mistakes made by the driver. Whether it’s the uneven weight distribution, neglected brakes, or a faulty engine, you can avoid these mistakes with the right knowledge. Read on for some important information regarding common trailer hauling mistakes and how to avoid making them.

Poor Weight Distribution

If your cargo or utility trailer’s weight isn’t properly distributed, it can wreak havoc on your rig and truck while you’re towing. Hazardous situations may occur, like trailer sway and tire blowouts. As you may know, these situations can easily turn into car accidents.

Therefore, you should always balance your trailer’s cargo weight from left to right. Additionally, place 60% of the weight towards the front and 40% towards the rear. You should also aim to stay under your vehicle’s and trailer’s gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), which you can find in their respective owner’s manuals.

Not Maintaining the Brakes

If you don’t keep up with brake maintenance, they can suffer excessive wear. In some cases, your trailer’s brakes may even burst into flames after too much strain. Always inspect your trailer’s brake system and confirm the brake shoes aren’t too worn down and that the brakes are properly adjusted.

Lack of Lubrication

Lubrication is an essential part of maintenance and is needed for certain parts to function. This is especially true when it comes to trailers. You’ll need to regularly grease the axles and bearings. The same goes for any pivot points on the trailer. Finally, make sure the tongue jack is properly lubricated to prevent it from freezing up.

Using the Engine in Overdrive

It’s not uncommon to put an engine into overdrive when navigating hilly areas. However, this may end up damaging your transmission and causing it to overheat. The overall strain that’s created by putting your engine into overdrive isn’t worth it in the long run. You’re better off staying within the weight limits and within your engine's power band.

Ignoring the Tires

Another common trailer towing mistake to avoid is driving on damaged tires. This includes tires that are too worn out and tires that are not correctly aired up. Before each trip, be sure all the tires are correctly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended psi levels. You should also check to see if the tires are in good shape with enough tread to maintain traction on the road.

If you’d like to learn more about trailer hauling safety techniques, give us a call or visit Victory Custom Trailers in Metamora, MI. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Detroit and Flint.