Getting Ready To Haul Your Car? Safety Procedures That Will Make Your Trip Uneventful
Posted on: 19 August 2015
When you're hauling a 4,000 pound car on a trailer, an uneventful trip is a good trip, especially if you've never hauled a car before or even towed a trailer. As you can imagine, you have to make certain adjustments in your driving habits in order to haul your car safely. In addition to making sure the trailer is hitched safely and hooked up to all of your car's electrical properly -- it's often best to have the trailer rental place do this for you -- you have to take measures to adjust your driving habits so you'll be safe regardless of what the road or the weather has in store for you. Following are a few safety procedures that will make your trip uneventful.
Handling Procedures
Hauling a trailer poses many challenges. First, they can skid, slide or jackknife if you slam on your brakes. They may also sway out of your lane if you make sudden movements. To maintain control of your trailer at all times, drive at a moderate pace, avoid sudden stops, and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers. You should also take care when making turns. You're more likely to hit a curb with your trailer, so be sure to make wider turns to accommodate for it. If you're experiencing a lot of sway when larger vehicles pass you, take your foot off the gas whenever they pass you and just steer through.
Braking Procedures
Since you have some weight behind you, it will take you longer to stop than usual. Be sure to allow plenty of distance for braking and start downshifting when you know you're going to have to stop soon. If your trailer starts to sway while you're braking, engage the trailer brake. Do not press on your vehicle's brakes as this will only increase the swaying.
Grade Considerations
When the terrain has an upward or downward grade, you will have to adjust your driving accordingly. when you're going downhill, do not press down on your brakes and hold them. This will cause your brakes to overheat. Instead, press on your brakes periodically to keep your speed in check. You can slow your acceleration down a hill by shifting into a lower gear. Similarly, you should downshift if you're having difficulty pulling your load up a steep hill. This will give you more power. When it come to parking on a grade, avoid it. If you have no choice, be sure to place blocks behind the downside of the trailer wheels.
If you're planning on hauling your car with a tow trailer, be sure to go over all safety procedures listed in your vehicle's manual and on the list supplied to you by the trailer rental place. If you have any questions regarding safety, don't hesitate to ask the rental company, like Route 12 Rental Co Inc. Your safety depends on it.
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