Towing Tips for Beginners

Whether you’ve got a big move around the corner, are hauling a heavy load, or planning a weekend getaway with your camping trailer, you need to understand a bit about towing before hitting the road. Most of the time you’ll be doing your towing with a truck or SUV, but some hatchbacks and sedans are also equipped for towing. But you can’t just drive a car as you normally would when towing!

In this article, we’ll explain how you can prepare for towing and what you need to do differently while driving. We’ll also give you some tips on what to look out for while on the road. Towing isn’t too hard, but you do risk damaging your vehicle, the load, or even yourself, if not prepared. With this in mind, let’s dive into some tips on safely towing your vehicle. 

Preparing to Tow 

Tire load

Yes, tires have a maximum load value. The tire load index (explained more here) specifies the total weight carried by each tire, including the vehicle’s weight and the trailer’s tongue weight. Every vehicle will have a recommended tire load index that you can reference when purchasing a new set of tires. This load index number will guide you on how much weight you can put on them, and when towing something, you have to account for the extra weight.

If you exceed your load index, you risk the tire bubbling or popping, which can be a serious danger while on the road. Consult the load index rating chart to learn more about the different load ratings, and remember to check your tires before towing!

SHOP TIRES

Inspect your brakes

If this is your first time towing, or you haven’t towed something in a while, have your brakes inspected at a mechanic before the tow to make sure there are not any glaring issues with them. Additionally, check your brake pads and brake rotors for wear and replace them if they’re worn. You don’t want the extra strain from the heavier load to damage your vehicle’s braking system, and, even more important, you want those brakes to work if you have to stop suddenly while towing something. 

Not all trailers come with braking systems. Heavier loads usually need trailer braking systems that will sync with your car’s brakes so you can safely stop your vehicle. Trailers usually have a breakaway cable that attaches to your vehicle and triggers your car’s brakes if the trailer detaches from your hitch. 

Gross vehicle weight rating

Take a look at your vehicle manual before you tow — it will have the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that your car can handle. If you’re going above this, it can seriously damage your vehicle. Kelly Blue Book recommends staying below 10% of the maximum towing capacity. This information may also be on the information sticker of the driver’s side door jamb.

Depending on what trailer you’re using, look for the GVWR of the trailer on its frame to get an idea of how much weight the trailer can handle. If you’re towing an especially heavy load, you need to compare this weight rating to the load to make sure that you’re not going above the maximum.

So how much can you tow?

Your owner’s manual will have the recommended towing capacity of your vehicle. The GCWR is the total amount of weight the vehicle can handle, including the curb weight, passengers, cargo and trailer. 

Hitching Up

Check your trailer connections

When you connect a trailer to your vehicle, you’ll find wires that need to connect somewhere in the back of your trunk. This trailer wiring connects to the trailer’s lights so drivers behind you can see if you’re signaling, turning, or running your hazards. 

Test all the lights before driving, as you can get pulled over for not having functioning trailer lights. It can also be a danger while on the road!

Hitch your safety chains

If the trailer detaches from your vehicle as you drive, the safety chains will help to make sure the trailer doesn’t hurt anybody. They’re a requirement for towing something. 

If you haven’t done it before, we recommend getting help from an experienced friend or wherever you’re renting your trailer from. They will show you how to attach the safety chains. However, you can also look up online the proper attachment technique. They should be crisscrossed with the chains not dragging against the ground. 

Weight distribution

Whether it’s a camping trailer or a trailer for moving, you should distribute the heaviest weight toward the front of the trailer (toward your car). You also want to distribute the weight evenly on the sides of your trailer so it doesn’t list to one side. 

Finally, once you’ve finished packing, make sure the weight is secured in place. You don’t want the weight to suddenly shift as you drive!

Driving While Trailering

Take it slow

You can’t drive with a trailer as you would normally. When you are towing a trailer, you must account for the heavy weight. For example, allow for more stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, as you won’t be able to stop your car as quickly when towing. 

Additionally, the maximum speed that most trailers recommend for towing is 55 mph on highways. If you’re on the highway, make sure you’re in the rightmost lane to not obstruct traffic. Follow speed recommendations based on the trailer, the trailer tires and state laws.

When making a turn or changing lanes, you can’t maneuver as fast. Make sure you’re accounting for the extra weight and not making sudden turns or lane changes!

Be aware of your surroundings

Towing a trailer is different from driving normally. You’ll have more blind spots and people passing you as you drive. Be aware of what’s going on around you, especially as you change lanes or make turns. 

Additionally, if you’re parking or pulling in somewhere, make sure that you can get out of where you’re going! When driving in reverse while towing, the trailer will move in an unexpected way. If you’re not careful, you can jackknife your trailer. This is when your car turns too quickly and the trailer is perpendicular to it at a 90-degree angle, making you stuck. 

To help avoid jackknifing, use wider turns, slower reverses, and practice, practice, practice trailering!

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