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Summer road trips create a sense of adventure during a popular time of year. That’s especially true for those planning driving vacations. Seasoned road trippers know to expect the unexpected when taking to the open road, and the surprises that emerge during a summer road trip make such excursions even more memorable.
Many drivers will be hitching a trailer to their vehicles when taking to the open road for summer vacation. Trailers can be used to transport bicycles, boats, jet skis, kayaks, or even extra luggage.
Driving with trailers can be tricky, but drivers can keep these safety strategies in mind when driving a vehicle with a trailer hitched to the back.
• Familiarize yourself with the trailer. Consumer Reports notes that travel trailers can sometimes weigh more and be even taller than the vehicle pulling them. That can make it challenging to drive safely with a trailer in tow. But practice makes perfect, and drivers are urged to practice driving with a trailer in tow before they depart for a road trip. A large and empty parking lot can be a great place to get a feel for driving with a trailer hitched to the back of your vehicle.
• Practice turns. Turning when driving a car or truck with a trailer hitched to the back requires a different approach. Wide turns are necessary to reduce the likelihood that the trailer tires hit the curb.
• Consider using towing mirrors. Towing mirrors are specially designed side-view mirrors that extend beyond standard side-view mirrors to offer drivers wider visibility, which can be necessary when wide loads are attached to the back of a vehicle. Towing mirrors can make it safer to change lanes and drive in reverse when a trailer is attached to the back of a car or truck.
• Recognize trailers swing. Consumer Reports urges drivers to give constant consideration to the swing of a trailer when turning. A trailer sometimes swings in the opposite direction when turning, which can increase the chances of hitting other vehicles, signs and even pedestrians. Carparts.com notes that the longer the distance between the rear wheels to the back bumper of the trailer, the greater the tail might swing. Managing and calculating swing is one of the reasons why practicing before taking to the open road can be so helpful.
• Adjust the trailer brakes. Consumer Reports notes that many trailers have electric brakes, and these brakes can and should be adjusted depending on what’s being towed. When towing a heavy boat, the brakes should be set to use a lot of force. But brakes should be adjusted when towing lighter weight to avoid tires locking up and skidding.
• Use the tow/haul mode if your vehicle has one. Many modern vehicles, and particularly trucks, come with a tow/haul mode option. When engaged, that system automatically adjusts the transmission when it senses a vehicle is going downhill. That takes some strain off the brakes and generally makes driving with a trailer in tow a lot safer.
These tips can make driving with a trailer in tow more comfortable. Additional tips are available at consumerreports. org and carparts.com.
