Towing Safety Tips

Loading

Proper Trailer Loading is the first-line defense against dangerous instability and sway.
Avoid overloading.
Load heavy items over and in front of the axle(s).
Balance load from side-to-side.
Secure items from shifting
Do not exceed hitch tongue-weight capacity

No passengers in trailers.
Trailers should never be occupied while being towed, under any circumstances. People riding in trailers can be and have been seriously hurt from sudden stops, shifting loads, falling, etc.

Tire inflation.
Check the recommendations of your towing vehicle and trailers manufacturer for proper tire inflation when towing.

Lights
Trailer Lights, Turn Signals, Marker Lights, Electric Brakes, Break-Away Switches - and their connections - are safety-critical items. Check them every time you tow, no matter how short the trip.

Driving - Passing room - Stopping room
The additional trailer weight affects acceleration and braking. Extra time and room should be allowed for passing, stopping and changing lanes. Slow down for bumps and rough roads. If you “bottom out” or suspect damage or something wrong, pull over and stop. Check for trouble and correct it before going on.

Mirrors
 Make sure you can see your trailer sides in your side-view mirrors while towing and backing.

Fuel and Rest Stop Checks
Check your trailer hitch, ball coupler, safety chains, tires and load during stops. Feel the hubs to make sure they are not hot. If so, they may lack grease, be too tight, or too loose. Check the wheel nuts for tightness also.



Typical Double Safety Chain              Typical Single Safety Chain

Safety Chains provide the final safety connection between a trailer and towing vehicle in the event of failure of the trailer coupler or the hitch ball. If the trailer comes loose, they must hold it to the towing vehicle.

1. Use one or two continuous chains as shown above.
2. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue dropping to the ground if the trailer comes loose.
3. Use chain whose holding strength is equal to or more than the gross weight of the trailer including its load.
In general, 1/4 proof coil chain is suitable for gross trailer weight to 3,500 lbs. Use 5.16”, or better, to 5,000 lbs.
4. Pass chain around a frame member or secure bumper iron and hook it back to itself for strongest attachment. If the chain hook is attached to a frame member or bumper iron or hole, it may slip off or the hook be straightened out if the trailer comes loose. Attach chains securely.
5. Allow only enough slack in chains to permit proper turning of vehicles. Do not let chains drag the ground, or be drawn up too tight. Slack length should hold tongue and coupler off the ground with the trailer loose.
6. Chain connection to the trailer should be close to the coupler - not back from it.

Information courtesy of Croft Trailer Supply





Primary Service Area
We serve the Massachusetts communities of Hudson, Framingham, Marlboro, Southboro, Northboro, Shrewsbury, Clinton, Bolton, Berlin, Acton, Ashland, Boylston, Harvard, Holliston, Hopkinton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Milford, Natick, Sherborn, Sherbon, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Upton, West Boylston, Wayland, Wellesley, Westford, Weston and Worcester, MA and the zip codes 01701, 01702, 01749, 01752, 01772, 01532, 01545, 01510, 01740, 01503, 01720, 01771, 01505, 01451, 01746, 01748, 01523, 01543, 01773, 01460, 01754, 01757, 01760, 01770, 01564, 01775, 01776, 01568, 01583, 01778, 02481, 02482, 01886, 02493. 01601, 01602, 01603, 01604, 01605, 01606, 01607, 01608