Towing a Trailer for the First Time: Everything You Need to Know
Towing a Trailer for the First Time: Everything You Need to Know
So, you’ve finally done it! You purchased a brand-new trailer. There’s just one teeny-tiny problem--you’ve never towed a day in your life. Now what?
The good news is that it’s not that hard to learn. With a little learning a little bit of reading and some practice you can become an expert master tower.
Find what you’re looking for:
- Why understanding towing safety is important
- Before you attach your trailer
- How to hook up your trailer
- How to drive while towing
- Parking your trailer
- Other towing FAQs
Why understanding towing safety is important
Ready for your first towing adventure with that new trailer? Exciting, right? But, pump the brakes a little—safety comes first, not just for you but for everyone on the road. Without the right knowledge, accidents, vehicle damage, and unnecessary stress can lurk around the corner.
Is it hard to tow a trailer for the first time?
Towing a trailer for the first time may seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Like any new skill, practice and patience are key. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your vehicle and trailer, and practice towing in a controlled environment before hitting the open road.
Thankfully, this guide’s got your back. It's your shortcut to essential towing know-how, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Buckle up for a smooth towing debut!
Before you attach your trailer
Before you start getting your trailer hitched up to your vehicle, there are some checks and items you should consider first:
Make sure your vehicle can tow your trailer.
Understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity is the first step to safe towing. Check your vehicle’s manual or consult the manufacturer’s guidelines to find its maximum towing capacity. This figure will help you assess whether your trailer falls within the acceptable weight range. Exceeding the towing capacity can strain your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and brakes, leading to safety hazards and potential damage.
Check your tires.
Before hitting the road, thoroughly inspect the tires on both your tow vehicle and trailer. Underinflated or worn-out tires can compromise stability and increase the risk of blowouts, especially when towing heavy loads.
- Check the tread of your tires to ensure they haven’t worn down
- Check the sidewall of the tires for cracks
- Check the seams of the tires to see if you see any splitting or lifting
- Check the PSI of your tires to ensure they match the recommendations for your trailer or for that specific tire.
- Make it a habit to regularly monitor tire pressure throughout your journey
- Remember to check the spare tire
Get tow mirrors.
When it comes to towing, visibility is king, and regular mirrors might not cut it. Enter clip-on or extended mirrors—absolute must-haves that latch onto your existing side mirrors. Adjust them just right, and voila! Those pesky blind spots are history, giving you the upper hand for lane changes, merges, and parking with confidence.
Get safety chains.
These are crucial safety features, providing a backup connection between your tow vehicle and trailer in case the primary hitch fails. Cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to the hitch on either side. Make sure they’re snug but not dragging on the ground. These chains are your fail-safe, ensuring your tow vehicle and trailer stay connected, no matter what. (JTI can provide safety chains!)
Follow the 60/40 rule
Have you ever heard of the tail wagging the dog? It happens when you fail to load a trailer properly. To prevent this from happening use your axle as a marker. When you load items, try to keep 60% of the weight toward the front of the trailer and 40% of the weight toward the back (this doesn’t have to be exact, just do a rough estimate).
Plan gas stops ahead of time.
Before hitting the road, factor in the refueling game plan with your trailer in tow. Opt for larger gas stations, as they offer more elbow room for smoothly maneuvering your vehicle and trailer. Assess the accessibility of gas stations along your route, ensuring their entrances and exits can handle your entire setup.
How to hook up your trailer
While every trailer is different, the broad steps you’ll need to follow for hooking your trailer up to your vehicle are:
- Position Your Vehicle: Back your vehicle up to the trailer, aligning the hitch ball with the trailer coupler. Take your time and make precise adjustments to ensure a proper connection
- Lower the Trailer onto the Hitch: Use the trailer jack to gradually lower the trailer onto the hitch ball. Be attentive to prevent any sudden drops that may damage the hitch or trailer.
- Lock the Coupler: Once the trailer is securely on the hitch ball, lock the coupler in place. Double-check that the locking mechanism is engaged, providing an extra layer of security.
- Connect Safety Chains: Cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to the hitch on either side. Ensure they are crisscrossed to form an “X” shape, providing stability in case of a hitch failure.
- Attract Trailer Wiring: Connect the trailer’s wiring harness to your vehicle. Test all lights and signals to confirm they are functioning correctly. Proper lighting is essential for safe towing, making your intentions clear to other drivers.
GETTING STARTED TOWING
Adjusting your brakes
Your trailer or truck may or may not have adjustable brakes. For example, I can adjust my trailer brakes from inside the truck. If yours are adjustable, put your hazards on and drive a few feet down the street. Then, use the brakes normally. If your trailer stops too suddenly, turn the brake strength down. If you feel no assistance in braking from the trailer, up the number on the brake controller.
Practice towing your trailer
Once or twice per week, I would drive 1 hour and 15 minutes to the acreage I stored my trailer at. At first, I only towed it around the property. On the second solo trip, I took the trailer back to a Walmart parking lot where I used to practice parking to get used to a different environment.
Once You're on the Road
Speed
Keep it steady and moderate. Going too fast can lead to trailer sway, where your trailer oscillates from side to side, playing havoc with your stability. Stick to the speed limits by your vehicle’s maker for towing. If sway does not sneak in, gently ease off the gas and avoid heavy braking. You can also consider investing in a trailer way control system, which enhances stability and control during your journey.
Turning
Turning with a trailer requires a different approach compared to solo driving. Given the extended length of your setup, opting for a wider turn is key to avoiding the trailer cutting corners or colliding with obstacles (and other vehicles) Consistently check your tow mirrors to track the trailer’s position and ensure it sticks to the planned swing path... A bit of practice in an open area before venturing onto the road can a long way in getting comfortable with the nuances of turning while towing.
Be aware of how things feel
While on the road with your trailer, keep an eye on how your vehicle and trailer behave and feel. If you sense odd vibrations or catch unfamiliar sounds, don’t brush them off—tackle them right away. Any shifts in handling, responsiveness, or stability warrant attention. If things seem off, find a safe spot to pull over and give your setup a thorough one-over.
Follow road etiquette
Stick to the right lane on highways, giving faster-moving vehicles a clear path to pass safely. Signal your intentions well ahead of any maneuvers and exercise caution when changing lanes. Keep a safe following distance, allowing for ample reaction time, and steer clear of tailgating. A touch of consideration for fellow drivers ensures a smoother and safer experience for everyone sharing the road.
Parking your trailer
Parking a trailer can be a challenging task for first-time towers, but with practice and patience, it becomes more manageable. Take the time to develop your skills in various scenarios, and soon you’ll be confidently navigating parking spaces and campsites on your outdoor adventures.
- Understand Your Trailer’s Dimension: Familiarize yourself with the dimensions of your trailer, especially its length and width. Knowing these dimensions will help you gauge the space needed or parking.
- Choose an open area for practice: Before attempting to park your trailer in a tight space, especially its length and width. Knowing these dimensions will help you gauge the space needed for parking.
- Practice Straight-Line Backing: Start by practicing straight-line backing. Align your vehicle and trailer in a straight line, then slowly reverse while keeping an eye on both side mirrors. This fundamental skill will serve as the foundation for more complex parking maneuvers.
- Master Angled Parking: As you gain confidence with straight-line backing, progress to angled parking. Choose an open space with lines or markers and practice parking your trailer at various angles. Use your mirrors to guide you and pay attention to the relationships between you vehicle and trailer.
- Use Reference Points: Develop reference points to gauge your trailer’s position. For example, identify a spot on your vehicle or trailer that aligns with a specific point on the ground. This helps you maintain control and accuracy during parking.
You should be ready to hit the road! When you're ready to start loading up your trailer, make sure you understand the trailer's towing capacity and GVWR (click here for the article!)