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Trailering Tips You Should Know About

As summer comes into its own and families prepare to go on vacation, the time is right to talk about a number of general trailering aspects. The pickup truck is king in America, and a summer vacation road trip is better with a full-size workhorse trailering a caravan.
2015 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 HD 1 photo
Photo: GMC
Travel trailers come in many shapes and sizes, and it goes without saying that the Airstream Land Yacht is the caravan we’re all dreaming of owning someday. Now let's get back on planet Earth. Regardless of the trailer, drivers have to prepare their trucks before setting off into the sunset like John Wayne.

For the trailering-shy, this guide offers the dos and don'ts of trailering. The basics imply that pulling a trailer requires regular inspection of the equipment, especially the hitch, brake lights, and signals. After that, beginner drivers are advised to find an empty parking lot and get used to maneuvering the truck-trailer combination. Jackknifing happens to the best out there though, so don’t give up after your first try.

Without further ado, here are the trailering tips you should know about:

Spare tire

Always keep a spare tire onboard. A full-size spare for your workhorse doesn’t suffice though. We’re referring to a spare wheel for your trailer. A flat trailer tire sans the spare equates to a massive headache, especially if the puncture happens in a remote area. So that’s two spare tires: one for the pickup truck, one for the trailer.

Check the tire pressure

Proper inflation is utmost necessary when trailering. It optimizes handling, fuel economy and, above anything else, your control over the truck-trailer combo. Do not forget to refrain yourself from exceeding the maximum speed of the trailer. Furthermore, some states enforce different trailering speed limits. In Idaho, the speed limit is mirrored by that of passenger vehicles. On the other hand, Alaska enforces a 45 mph maximum speed.

Adjust the side mirrors

A mid or full-size pickup truck’s regular side mirror position may not be suitable for trailering. Thus, it’s recommended for drivers to adjust the outside mirrors so that the rear of the trailer can be seen at a glance.

That ensures a clear view of what’s behind or beside the trailer when changing lanes or turning a corner. A set of temporary trailering mirrors come in handy as they offer a wider view of what’s behind. Top tip: the lower mirrors are there to help you with judging curbs.

Load adjustments

When loading a trailer, never put the majority of the weight at the rear of it. That’s trailering 101. If there’s too much weight at the rear of the trailer, do prepare for swaying and overall instability. Simple physics and experienced drivers tell that distributing weight so that at least 10 percent is on the hitch is the best formula.

Tie-down straps are there to ensure cargo won’t scatter around the place, redistributing the load.

Reversing

The moment you pull in a parking lot, gas station or camping space, chances are you’ll have to make a reversing maneuver. Here is a crash course on how you can do it perfectly: first place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel; as soon as you start looking over your shoulder, you can move the hand to the right to make the trailer go right and left to make it go left. If a jackknife happens, straighten the trailer by pulling forward and start over again, at a slower speed.

90-degree corners

Sharp turns or 90-degree corners shouldn’t be taken lightly if a trailer is attached to your truck. When you approach an intersection, pull the vehicle farther up into the road before turning, trying to cut a wider arc when doing so. If you follow these steps, chances of trailer hopping over curbs or brushing up against an obstacle become minimal.

Braking

Be it a vehicle equipped with trailer brakes or not, it is utmost necessary for a driver to leave more distance for stopping than he or she would need in a trailer-less pickup truck. The extra load and braking inertia aren’t forgiving. Other than the extra braking space, keep in mind that it’s safer to leave some space between you and the vehicle ahead in case you get brake checked.

Highway driving

First of all, travel at a speed within the highway limit. In addition to this, never brake hard if the trailer begins to sway or whipsaw. Just take your right foot off the gas and let the trailer sort itself out from swaying.

Downhill driving

Driving a pickup truck downhill may prove troublesome for inexperienced drivers, more so when a big trailer is added to the mix. To increase control over the truck-trailer combo on steep downhill grades, simply lift your foot off the gas pedal, reducing momentum before the grade begins.

For those with trucks equipped with tow/haul mode or a diesel engine brake, make sure it’s activated. These helpful contraptions enhance engine braking without overheating or dragging the brakes.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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