Many people purchase trucks and other large vehicles for the purpose of towing other vehicles behind them. Whether that towed item be an ATV that one can use for off-roading or another automobile so that one can get around more easily than would otherwise be possible in an unwieldy RV, it’s important that safety be assured on all counts. To that end, persons who are going to be towing vehicles should consider the safety tips from Agri-Cover related in a new report.
The first thing you’re going to want to understand is the limits on the vehicle you’re using to tow. Every vehicle has an upper reach of what’s possible to safely carry, and comprehending this maximum weight requirement can go a long way to ensuring you won’t endanger yourself or someone else. Far too many people either elect to ignore reading their owner’s manual or simply believe that the weight limit is a mere suggestion.
Either of these shortsighted tacts is a mistake. Stay well within the weight described by your owner’s manual and make sure that the same attention to safety is applied to the hitch you’re using to facilitate the tow. The type of hitch you use will depend largely on the weight of what it’s towing; you can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to the trailer hitch.
There are a number of other things you should see to on your vehicle before you head out. While tire pressure is important whenever you drive, it becomes particularly so when you’re adding a hefty amount of weight to the vehicle. If the tires are not filled properly, your gas mileage will deteriorate. The risk of a rupture or a flat will also increase, and that will become exceedingly dangerous when you’re towing a vehicle.
Once you’ve actually hooked up the trailer, you need to make sure that the lights on the back are working properly. The load you’re carrying will impede other drivers’ ability to see the lights of your vehicle itself, so you absolutely need to make sure that all lights on the trailer, including brake lights and turn signals, are relating your intentions to other drivers.
Finally, realize the limits placed not just on the trailer, but on you as the driver. Handling is going to be quite different when you’re carrying a large load. Give yourself plenty of time to bring your vehicle to a halt, taking pains not to tailgate other vehicles or drive at a dangerous speed, especially in constructions areas or amid poor weather conditions. Also remember that it will be harder to see behind you, and therefore you may want to invest in mirrors designed for the task of towing. If not, make sure you’re paying sufficient attention to the environment around you. These safety measures can help prevent a serious car accident while towing a large load with your vehicle.