first time towing. any tips?

[USSEnterprise]

Hello.

I need to haul a bunch of old radios to a swap meet in PA this weekend and it seemed like a good excuse to finally get a hitch. It all turned out much cheaper than renting a cargo van. However, I've never driven with a trailer before. Are there any tricks or special ways to drive with something hooked up? Is there any maintenance that should be done to my 4R before I make the trip? I've got a 96 V6 4WD with 183k and I just changed both the oil and ATF.

Thanks!

 

[Canazes9]

Hello.

I need to haul a bunch of old radios to a swap meet in PA this weekend and it seemed like a good excuse to finally get a hitch. It all turned out much cheaper than renting a cargo van. However, I've never driven with a trailer before. Are there any tricks or special ways to drive with something hooked up? Is there any maintenance that should be done to my 4R before I make the trip? I've got a 96 V6 4WD with 183k and I just changed both the oil and ATF.

Thanks!

Typically the trailer will want to track inside of your turning radius when turning - get in the habit of swinging wide on all turns so you don't run over curbs (or worse) with the trailer.

The key to backing is to turn around and watch the trailer as you back and go slow - NO! Slower than that .

Don't run your transmission in Drive, drop down to the next lower gear and keep it there. Between the extra throttle input to maintain speed on even minor grades and the constant upshifting/downshifting you will get worse mpg in Drive than you will in the next gear down. You will also not feel nearly as in control in Drive and generally not feel happy with your trucks trailer pulling ability.

Read the air pressure for the trailer tires on the tires, check it and fill them up. Typically trailer tires are run at much higher pressures than car tires (65-80psi). Not filling the trailer tires properly can induce sway and cause the tires to fall apart.

Make sure you have a spare for your trailer and that its properly inflated. Make sure your jack will work on the trailer or carry a trailer jack. Make sure you have a lug wrench that will fit the trailer tires (don't assume your truck jack/wrench will work - check it!).

You need a little tongue weight on the trailer for it to pull properly. Trailer tongue weight should typically be 10-15% of trailer weight. To light a tongue weight can induce a nasty trailer sway at highway speeds that can potentially be very serious (trailer flips, hits other cars, causes tow vehicle to lose control, etc.). If you begin to get trailer sway, don't ignore it! Ease off the throttle, slow down gently, pull over and assess the problem.

Check the lights/trailer brakes in advance so you have time to repair the inevitable blown bulb, etc. Check them again when you hook up - do this every time! Buy a pack of the appropriate bulbs for your trailer and throw them in the glove box along w/ appropriate tools to change on the road.

HTH

David

 

[riceandpho]

make sure you have good brakes too, and give extra distance, dont tail gate.

 

[4Runner4TW]

Keep aware of yourself and others around you. Make sure you're looking down the road for potential hazards (tires, wood, furniture is popular out west to be spread about). You'll need more time to react if something should cross your path. Check your side mirrors for cars around you and to keep an eye on the trailer. If you smell anything unusual pull over and check. You do not want to over heat your truck, transmission or anything else. I like to keep the lights on, even at day.
Backing up can be frustrating if your not used to it. The trailer will want to go the opposite way of the truck. as Canazes9 said, watch the trailer. Its much easier that way.
When ever you stop give the entire rig a check over. Pop your hood, look/smell. Look over all the tires. Check the trailer connections. Check lights.
Its kind of like going on a really long road trip. You double and even triple check everything. Just be alert and you should be all good.

 

[JohnsD90]

Give yourself more space to brake, dont go into overdrive (5th if manual, 4th if automatic), give yourself more room to change lanes, take wider corners. Use safety chains too.