SOME
INFORMATION
CONCERNING
TRAILER TOWING
[click
for terms]
First,
towing a trailer doesn't have
to be a scary thing. It will require some practice to be more
comfortable towing a trailer if you have never done it before. You will
need to learn how to back the trailer up as well. This may be
something that is much more difficult for some people. Towing a
trailer will add some more elements when you are going down the highway
that you should be aware of:
- The trailer is going to require more stopping
distance/time.
- On the flip of this, it is going to take longer to
get your speed up, so when going out onto the highway, remember you
need more time to get to speed.
- A vehicle that has
an overdrive gear should not be used when towing a
trailer. Especially if it is an auto and it is shifting alot,
this could cause transmission overheating and problems.
- The trailer is going to limit you rear view somewhat,
as you will need to use mirrors because the trailer is behind you.
- If the trailer is longer you will need to 'swing' out
more on a turn so the trailer doesn't cut too short and run over the
curb or hit something.
- You need to be aware of the height of the trailer
mostly when around low tree limbs, etc. as most highway bridges, etc
are not a main concern.
- Your tow vehicle is going to be under more load, so
you should pay attention to the gauges, water temp, etc.
especially on hotter days.
- It never hurts to have 'more eyes', if you are in a
tight spot or backing up having someone else spot for you is a very
good idea.
- Last I can think of but sure there's more, just slow
down some and take your time and be a little more cautious as you have
additional weight and length now that you have a trailer behind you.
If
you have never
towed a trailer before then you need to get some experience with
someone who has and in a place where there is lots of room to just get
the feel of driving with a trailer behind you. A mall parking lot
on a day when it isn't busy would be a good place. Especially one
that has roads going around where you could feel like being on the
highway. Once you feel more comfortable get out on an interstate
where you can drive along without stopping and having more room to just
drive along. Even if you just drive a few miles to an exit, get
off and get back on and repeat. This should give you the feel of
towing a trailer behind you. Learn to look in the mirrors to make
sure what is around you. Once you have done this and feel
comfortable then you need to drive on a regular two lane highway that
is going to have more vehicles with stops and turns. Now that you
have got some experience and feel more comfortable head back to the
mall parking lot to practice backing up. Find an area that has
lined parking spots and is not busy. This is going to be a little
difficult at first because the trailer is going to turn opposite of the
way you turn the vehicle. Start off by just backing the trailer
up some distance and try to keep as strait as possible. Remember
when you turn left the trailer is going to move right and vice
versa. Try this for awhile until you get the feel of turning and
moving the trailer to keep it strait. Always go slow and use
small turns is best. Now, to actually back into a spot is hard to
explain as there are some more things involved. Like the vehicle
is going to swing in the front as you swing the trailer into the spot,
you need to be aware of this and what is around the area you are in.
Since the trailer is behind you, you will need to pull up some distance
to allow room to swing the trailer into the spot. The longer the
trailer the more room you will need and also the more your vehicle is
going to swing too. Depending on the area you are in, you may
have lots of room to work and this will help getting the trailer backed
into a spot. Look at all of this before you begin, so you can get
backed in as easy as possible. Learning to back up a
trailer and/or to actually move it into a spot is going to take
practice...practice...practice ! Just be patient and aware of
what you are doing and what the trailer is doing and in time you'll get
better at it.
The
following are
some towing terms that I found on line at the RV
Tech Glossary
TOW
RATING
|
The
manufacturer's rating of the maximum weight limit that can safely be
towed by a particular vehicle. Tow ratings are related to overall
trailer weight, not trailer size, in most cases. However, some tow
ratings impose limits as to frontal area of the trailer and overall
length. Tow ratings are determined by the vehicle manufacturer
according to several criteria, including engine size, transmission,
axle ratio, brakes, chassis, cooling systems and other special
equipment.
|
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
|
The
total allowable weight of a vehicle, including passengers, cargo,
fluids and hitch weight.
|
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating)
|
The
manufacturer's rating for the maximum allowable weight that an axle is
designed to carry. Gawr applies to tow vehicle, trailer, fifth-wheel
and motorhome axles.
|
GCWR
(Gross Combination Weight Rating)
|
The
maximum allowable weight of the combination of tow vehicle and trailer/
fifth-wheel, or motorhome and dinghy. It includes the weight of the
vehicle, trailer/fifth-wheel (or dinghy), cargo, passengers and a full
load of fluids (fresh water, propane, fuel, etc.). GTWR (Gross Trailer
Weight Rating) -- Maximum allowable weight of a trailer, fully loaded
with cargo and fluids.
|
HITCH
RATINGS
|
Hitches
are rated by the manufacturer according to the maximum amount of weight
they are engineered to handle. Class I travel trailer hitches are rated
for towing as much as 2,000 pounds. Class II units are for loads up to
3,500 pounds. Class III has a rating of 7,500 pounds, and Class IV is
for loads of up to 10,000 pounds. Class V hitches are designed for
towing loads up to 14,000 pounds. These ratings based on class category
may vary depending on the manufacturer. Fifth-wheel ratings range to
25,000 pounds. The weight rating refers to the total weight of the
trailer/fifth-wheel, with freshwater tank full, propane tanks full, all
supplies on-board and ready to travel.
|
HITCH
WEIGHT
|
The
amount of weight imposed on the hitch when the trailer/fifth-wheel is
coupled. Sometimes referred to as conventional trailer "tongue weight."
Hitch weight for a travel trailer can be 10-15 percent of overall
weight; fifth-wheel hitch weight is usually 18 to 20 percent of the
overall weight.
|
WEIGHT-CARRYING
HITCH
|
Also
known as a "dead-weight" hitch, this category includes any system that
accepts the entire hitch weight of the trailer. In the strictest sense,
even a weight-distributing hitch can act as a load-carrying hitch if
the spring bars are not installed and placed under tension.
|
WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH
|
Also
known as an "equalizing" hitch, this category includes hitch systems
that utilize spring bars that can be placed under tension to distribute
a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the tow vehicle's front axle
and the trailer's axles.
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Web page created by Larry Bush: Sept.17.2007 --- Edited:
5.28.2009
Serro Scotty ~ Vintage Campers ©
All
Rights Reserved
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