With the warm summer months approaching, many people might be considering getting back into fishing, or heading on a camping break with the family, and what better way to do so than by taking your trailer! Towing a normal sized trailer isn’t complicated – just follow these handy tips and you will be on the road in no time at all!
Adjust your speed
You need to bear in mind that things take twice as long when you’re trailer towing in Colorado, so adjust your speed accordingly. Accelerate easily and gently and turn slower than you would normally – it’s almost like the driving you do in icy conditions. Don’t forget to allow for more room than usual when you brake.
Check the weight
Check your owner’s manual for a guide to the maximum weight your vehicle is capable of towing – you’ll see the ‘maximum tongue weight’ and the ‘gross trailer weight’ (GTW) – you’ll need this information to select the right type of hitch, as there are five separate classes of hitch depending on weight.
You need to use a hitch-receiver that will match your car’s GTW weight, even if you have decided to tow a smaller trailer. Don’t forget that the trailer weight includes its contents and of course the water tanks too! You then need to choose a drawbar, which comes in either a 1.25 inch or 2 inch size – the 2 inch size is suitable for heavy loads. Hitch balls are available in 3 different sizes, and the one you will need again depends on the weight you’re towing – a bigger hitch ball can support more weight.
Other checks
You should always cross chains underneath the tongue – this serves as protection in an emergency if the hitch fails. You should also check the trailer’s brake battery. Usually, when the engine is switched on, the battery will be charging, but it could have discharged due to long periods in storage or faulty wiring.
Tongue Weight
To prevent your trailer swaying from side to side, you need to add tongue weight. Move the contents of the trailer forward, which will pull the center of gravity of the contact patches on your tires forward too – you want to aim for around 12 percent of the total weight of your trailer as your tongue weight; too much and you could damage the vehicle’s rear suspension.
By following the above tips you can ensure that your trailer towing in Colorado will be a safe and fun experience!
