DRIVING WITH A TRAILER
Read your trailer’s owner’s manual. Follow all of the
instructions and precautions in it.
Follow local laws.
Get training from local ocials
or
reputable
sources if
you are not experienced.
Get information from reputable sources about how to
trailer.
See,
e.g https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/
equipment/towing/
and https://
www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/preparation-and-
driving-tips-for-safe-towing/ and.
Make sure you are ready. Pulling a trailer requires even
more attention than normal driving.
Shift into D (Drive) and release the parking brake when
you
are
ready
and both the path before your Grenadier
and the path before your trailer and its wheels are clear.
Start slowly and drive a few feet to make sure that
everything is working and that connections are secure.
Remember, your Grenadier will need more distance to
stop when towing. Increase your following distance.
When turning, wider turns are necessary to avoid the
trailer cutting corners.
When changing lanes, you must account for the trailer.
Monitor all gauges, especially the temperature. Towing
puts additional strain on your engine.
When driving uphill or with a heavy load, reduce speed
and shift to a lower gear if necessary.
When driving downhill, use engine braking, when
possible, to reduce strain on brakes.
Be mindful of crosswinds and gusts, which can cause the
trailer to sway.
Assess o road areas,
even grassy areas and unpaved
parking lots, before putting a loaded trailer on them.
Loaded trailers can be very heavy and can get stuck.
Be sure you are comfortable with backing a trailer before
backing it up. Use a spotter if possible.
NOTE:
Hold the steering wheel on the bottom when backing.
Push your hand and the wheel in the direction you want
the trailer’s wheels to go (i.e., push the steering wheel to
the left if you want the trailer wheels to go to the left,
and to the right if you want the trailer wheels to go to the
right.) That also reduces the risk that you will over-steer.
TOWING A TRAILER
153
To Next Page
Loading...