Trailer Towing Tips

Towing a trailer significantly alters the manner in which the towing vehicle performs.

• Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and backing in an area away from heavy traffic to gain experience in handling the extra weight and length of the trailer. Take enough time to learn the "feel" of the vehicle/trailer combination before starting out on a trip. Make certain you know what clearance is required for the trailer roof.

• Skillful backing requires practice. Back very slowly, with someone outside at the rear of the trailer to guide your efforts. Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you want the rear of the trailer to swing. Make small corrections instead of exaggerated ones. A slight movement of the steering wheel will result in a much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.

^*  Values shown are the maximum for each model. Actual vehicle weight and tow ratings may be less, depending on the chassis and body manufacturer's equipment options. Refer to the manufacturer's certification labels for the actual vehicle weight ratings.

• Allow considerably more room for stopping when the trailer is attached. If you have a manual brake controller, "lead" with the trailer brakes (if so equipped) when approaching a stop, if possible. Trailer brakes are also handy for correcting trailer side-sway. Just touch them for a moment without using your vehicle brakes and the trailer should settle down and track steadily again.

• To assist in attaining good handling of the vehicle trailer combination, it is important that the trailer tongue load be maintained at approximately 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight.

• Check everything before starting out on the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km), stop in a protected location and double-check your trailer hitch and electrical connections for security. Also, examine the trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness.

• Because trailer wheels will be closer than the towing vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point to avoid obstructions.

• Allow extra distance for passing other vehicles. Downshift to a lower gear for better acceleration, if necessary. Use caution when passing, as the added weight of the trailer can dramatically decrease the acceleration of the towing vehicle.

• Ahead of the vehicle, allow at least the equivalent of one vehicle and trailer length combined for each 10 mph(16 km/h)of speed.

• If your vehicle begins to lose speed as you climb a hill, downshift to a lower gear for more power at the rear wheels.

• Before descending a steep grade, slow down and shift to a lower gear. Driving with the transmission in a lower gear will assist in reducing downhill speed. If the trailer should begin to sway, touch the trailer brakes (if so equipped), not the vehicle brakes, and the trailer should settle down.

• When possible, do not park on a grade with a trailer. However, when this is necessary, apply the service brakes and hold while someone else places chocks under the trailer's wheels.

To start out when parked on a grade, apply the service brake pedal and with the vehicle either in Neutral (N) or Park (P), start the engine. Shift the transmission into gear and release the parking brake. Then release the brake pedal and move the vehicle uphill to free the chocks. Apply the brake pedal while another person retrieves the chocks.