You may want to move to a new place and require renting a trailer to carry your luggage. Or you may have just bought a boat and need to take it to the lake. Still, you may want to go with your family on a camping trip in an RV while towing a second car. These are some of the reasons that may make you need to tow something. Towing risks are there with any tow. We are going to look at some of the risks and how to approach them as a driver.
Mismatching equipment creates towing risks
When towing anything, always ensure you use the right equipment. Using equipment that doesn’t match the vehicle being used or the cargo being towed can land you in trouble. Check the vehicle owner’s manual to determine the weight that can be safely towed. Do not exceed the rated weight as it is going to expose you to many risks. Be sure that all parts used such as coupler and ball fit correctly. Using equipment or parts that don’t fit will create instability on the road.
Poor visibility
Before starting any towing job, consider the height, width and length of the cargo you are towing. This helps you determine all your towing risks. Increasing the overall size interferes with visibility. Visibility plays a significant role in vehicle maneuvers such as changing lanes, turning or braking. Many drivers use towing mirrors that are either attached to the vehicle’s mirrors or replace them entirely. The extended mirrors are useful when towing cargo that is wider than your vehicle. They enable the driver to have a clear view of the rear.
Acceleration and Speed are two more towing risks to consider
Towing increases the mass of the vehicle significantly. This increases the momentum and inertia of the vehicle. The larger the cargo, the higher the resistance to change in its state of motion. This means that it is harder to get large cargo moving or making it stop moving. You and your vehicle will have to work harder to accelerate and brake. Overtaking other vehicles also becomes a risk. When doing so, ensure you factor in the increased length and width of the cargo.
Turning
Many people think that turning is just a matter of technique but that is not the case. The equipment you are using will have a great impact on your turning ability. For instance, if the trailer tongue is too long, it makes it harder to make turns without a roll over the curbs. Also, if the safety chains securing your trailer doesn’t have enough slack, they will completely restrict your turning ability. Towing cargo with wider wheelbase than your truck requires wider turns at curves and corners. This is to avoid damaging the trailer by hitting on curbs. The trailer wheels are going to be closer to the inside of the corner than your vehicle.