Towing a trailer is a real power move. Not a lot of people can do it, even fewer can do it well. If you want to know how to tow a trailer we can tell you how to do it safely but it’s really up to you to practice.
As a Kiwi, “backing the boat” should be a national qualification.
We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to tow a trailer below.
- Make sure it’s hooked up properly. That means:
– The hitch is on the towball and when you bounce the drawbar up and down it doesn’t detach.
– The safety chain is shackled to your car, usually with two different chains connecting to two different areas.
– The lights are connected and you’ve tested them. That means brake lights, indicators and hazards.
– You’ve adjusted your mirrors to see past your car and to the back corners of the trailer. - Distribute the weight in the trailer properly. You want the heavier stuff in front of the trailer axle and the lighter stuff behind. This helps make the trailer stable when cornering and stop “tank slapping” when snap inputs are made. Keep the weight distribution low to also help with stability. Obviously don’t throw everything in front of the axle due to tongue weight limits. Also, if anything can depart the trailer, even a one in a million chance, strap it down.
- All of your driving inputs should be smooth. That’s turning a little later, braking sooner and accelerating slower. You’re longer than normal and you can’t drive like normal as a result. Don’t put too much load through the tow hitch and if the trailer doesn’t have brakes then make sure you’re braking nice, early, and firmly. Don’t exceed the recommended speed, it can lead to “slapping” where the trailer starts violently swinging back and forward.
- Use the right tow vehicle. You can’t tow a 6 meter boat with a Nissan Micra. Make sure that your car is suitable and rated to tow the trailer and weight that you’re using. Don’t overload the trailer either. That can lead to a very unstable and unsafe towing experience.
- Make sure the tow vehicle has everything you need to tow the trailer. That means, plenty of fuel, good brakes, a jack and spare tyre in case the trailer has a blowout and always double check the trailer’s brake fluid. You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road, out of gas with a trailer. Make sure you have the right tow ball and better yet, make sure you have a towbar. It’s hilarious how many people don’t check and then rent a trailer.
If you are going to be doing a lot of towing, then it’s best to make sure the towing car is well maintained. We can help with that, book in your car for its service here to get your car everything it needs to run properly and tow safely.