TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER
Driving a vehicle that is towing a travel trailer requires
concentration, care, and awareness that goes beyond normal
driving. Your attention to these considerations will make towing a
travel trailer safer and more rewarding. We encourage you to keep
these factors in mind:
• Never drive when you are sleepy or too tired to react
properly to emergencies. Never drive if your reflexes or
judgement are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. !
• Make sure all tires are inflated to proper levels. Carry a
tire pressure gauge in your vehicle. Inspect tires for
wear and replace them before wear is excessive. !
• Pay extra attention to the actions of other drivers on the
road. Drive with the assumption that they are not aware
that you are towing a trailer. Allow extra space between
you and other vehicles for every move, including lane
changes, turns, etc. !
• Understand that the added weight of your trailer will
affect every movement of your vehicle. Accelerating to
highway speeds will take more time, braking distances
will be longer, and turns must be wider and slower.
Develop a sense of the way your vehicle and trailer
handle on lightly traveled roads before approaching
long-distance, high-traffic situations. !
• Learn how your tow vehicle and trailer move through
turns and curves, noting that the travel trailer turns
through a tighter arc than the tow vehicle. Make sure
you allow for this tighter turning circle.!
• Note the total overall height of your travel trailer,
including roof-top accessories like the air conditioner,
and avoid any overhead obstacles that might possibly
contact the roof or roof-mounted items. Be especially
cautious around overhangs, canopies, drive-throughs,
hanging signage, and overhanging trees.
• Practice using your external rear view mirrors for on-
road maneuvers, as your on-dash mirror will have limited
usefulness when towing on the road.
To Next Page
Loading...