Are you towing your large equipment safely and efficiently?

Out of the many uses of a car, one of the oft overlooked aspects is the towing ability. No matter what the situation, whether it is getting your boat safely from storage to the water or getting your tractor to the mechanic to find out what could be wrong with it, being able to tow is a huge advantage that an SUV or truck has over a sedan. As useful as towing is, it can sometimes be a hassle to get everything copacetic. If you follow these helpful towing tips, you’ll be a pro in no time at all.

4 Tips for Towing Trailers and Other Large Equipment

1. Like most things, the best way to ensure a good towing experience is to make sure that everything is in working order before you use it. Checking tire pressure, electric braking mechanisms, and lights before your trip while pay off great dividends in peace of mind.
2. Another great tip for towing well is to always recall the action at hand. You could drive professionally every day of the week, but forgetting that you have something riding behind you in the trailer could be a death sentence for your trip. Make sure to be an active driver, taking extra time on your turns, and simply remembering that the center of balance has been changed slightly will save a ton of headaches later on.
3. If using a trailer, make sure to do regular maintenance on the bearings. If the trailer is seeing regular use, make sure to replace the bearings and bearing grease. Many a trailer have met their demise due to ignoring this part.
4. Under the trailer hitch, make sure to not only use safety chains, but cross them in an X formation for maximum stability. Not only will this help your turning radius, but if there was ever a break in the hitch, those chains could save your load.

Towing is a lifelong skill that is most greatly affected by experience. If you ever wondered why your dad was so skilled in towing things and you were just happy to make it home, it was almost surely just accumulated time spent towing. Spending more time with a trailer hooked up and following the above tips will not only make your towing go more smoothly, but will also ensure a safe trip for you and those around you.