The 3 Towing Basics – The First Time Tow And Everything You Should Now
The towing may look like a simple job, but it can be pretty complicated, especially if you are not into it. Whenever you tow, you want to complete it safely and without any problems and therefore it is crucial to know a few things about the entire process. Also, you should read the vehicle manual to know the maximum weight you can tow as well so you plan and do not exceed the allowed weight. In this article, we will explain some of the basics you must consider and have in your mind prior to any towing.
Don’t exceed the weight
The very first thing you need to have in mind is the allowed weight. The very first thing is to make sure that the trailered weight does not exceed a proposed carrying weight. This can be neglected if your vehicle has a weight-distributing hitch or sway control device. If there is no such device, you must respect the carrying capacity. In addition, tongue weight should be considered as well. The tongue weight is a downforce that is applied to the back of tow vehicles, which should not be more than 15% of the loaded trailer’s boat/vehicle. Some vehicles will require an anti-sway control device to tow vehicles, while others won’t.
Acceleration and breaking
Another thing you need to have in mind is to calculate braking and acceleration on the road. When you drive a tow truck without anything else, you might need 150 feet to stop. On the other hand, when you have a trailer or vehicle that you tow, this distance might be increased to 250 feet. Also, when you have a vehicle in front of you, make sure it is at least six seconds in front of you. When conditions are bad, this means even more as you need more space to stop. When it comes to acceleration, do note that it takes twice as long for a vehicle towing a boat to accelerate from zero to 60 mphs. Therefore, do pay attention to the road and its characteristics ahead so you don’t make a problem to yourself.
Tow slowly to have easy control
Yes, when you are into towing, you need to forget any type of rush as things do not work that way in this business. When you are towing a vehicle, the worst thing you can do is to hurry up. It reduces the control that you have over the vehicle you tow and that could end up badly. To do it right, make sure that you place your hands at 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock on the steering wheel. Watch your side mirrors and move the left hand if you want to move your trailer on the left side and use the right hand to move on the right side. Remember there are no sudden moves – everything has to be done slowly and with caution as one wrong step could cost you a fortune.
