Tow Packages

Take time to practice before driving on main roads and never allow anyone to ride in or on the trailer. Before you leave, remember to check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels. Consider the following safety tips each time you drive with a trailer.

General Handling: 

• Use the driving gear that the manufacturer recommends for towing.
• Drive at moderate speeds. This will place less strain on your tow vehicle and trailer. Trailer instability (sway) is more likely to occur as speed increases.
• Avoid sudden stops and starts that can cause skidding, sliding, or jackknifing.
• Avoid sudden steering maneuvers that might create sway or undue side force on the trailer.
• Slow down when traveling over bumpy roads, railroad crossings, and ditches.
• Make wider turns at curves and corners. Because your trailer’s wheels are closer to the inside of a turn than the wheels of your tow vehicle, they are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs.
• To control swaying caused by air pressure changes and wind buffeting when larger vehicles pass from either direction, release the accelerator pedal to slow down and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.Bra

Braking:  

• Allow considerably more distance for stopping.
• If you have an electric trailer brake controller and excessive sway occurs, activate the trailer brake controller by hand. Do not attempt to control trailer sway by applying the tow vehicle brakes; this will generally make the sway worse.
• Always anticipate the need to slow down.  To reduce speed, shift to a lower gear and press the brakes lightly.

US Federal law requires trailers to have taillights, brake lights, side marker lights, turn signals, and side and rear reflectors. Some trailers also have backup lights. To provide power to these lights, a four-way (or more) connector is hooked into the tow vehicle’s electrical system. Many tow vehicle manufacturers offer a 7-way connector that may include an electric brake signal, power supply, and backup lights, in addition to the typical four functions. Note: You must ensure that the signals on the electrical connector of the tow vehicle match the electrical connector of the trailer.

Because the wiring systems of many tow vehicles use separate wires for turn signals and stop lights, you may need to purchase a taillight converter. This converter will combine these wires so that they can be connected to the trailer lighting system. Most factory-installed towing packages include a trailer wire harness that will perform this function if required. If you tow more than one type of trailer, you also may need to purchase an adapter to accommodate differences in the wiring systems.

5th Wheel Towing Facts and Questions Area.

• Got questions regarding GVWR versus GCWR
• What’s a good truck to pull my xx’ 5th wheel with
• Diesel Versus Gas pulling your trailer / 5th wheel

Discuss it here and ask questions.

Before driving, make sure your vehicle maintenance and trailer maintenance are current. This is very important because towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle. (Review the next section of the brochure for an overview of maintenance requirements.)

• Check and correct tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer.
• Make sure the wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque.
• Be sure the hitch, coupler, draw bar, and other equipment that connect the trailer and the tow vehicle are properly secured and adjusted.
• Check that the wiring is properly connected—not touching the road, but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or damaging the wires.
• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working.
• Verify that the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly.
• Check that all items are securely fastened on and in the trailer.
• Be sure the trailer jack, tongue support, and any attached stabilizers are raised and locked in place.
• Check load distribution to make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are properly balanced front to back and side to side.
• Check side- and rear-view mirrors to make sure you have good visibility.
• Check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.
• Make sure you have wheel chocks and jack stands. 

   

The three most common types of hitches are the weight-carrying hitch, the weight-distributing (or load equalizer) hitch, and the fifth-wheel hitch, or gooseneck. Weight-carrying hitches are designed to carry all of the trailer’s tongue weight. Weightdistributing hitches are used with a receiver hitch and special parts that distribute the tongue weight among all tow vehicle and trailer axles. 5th wheel hitches are designed to mount the trailer connection in the middle of the truck bed.

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