AutoExtra.com’s Towing Guide

The hot summer months are fast approaching, and with them comes the freedom and bliss known as the Big Vacation. For some of us, the Big Vacation requires more than just a loaded vehicle and roof-rack – something extra is needed. If you’re incorporating a trailer into that much-needed getaway, here’s a primer on the basics of towing.
 

First Things First Before you do anything, learn your weights. Here are some common terms:

GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (vehicle weight + passengers + cargo) GTW – Gross Trailer Weight (trailer weight + trailer cargo) GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating (vehicle weight + trailer weight + all passengers and cargo) TW – Tongue Weight (trailer weight directly on top of the hitch, usually about 10% of the GTW)

Your owner’s manual will include your vehicle’s weight and tow weight ratings. Err on the side of caution and add several hundred pounds to what you think your trailer weighs – too much weight is dangerous and damaging to the tow vehicle.
 

Getting Hitched If you bought your vehicle without a tow package or factory-installed hitch, you’re going to need one to connect your trailer. Hitches vary depending on the weight of the trailer and are generally classified in five categories. For extra-heavy duty towing, you can also consider a ‘fifth-wheel’ hitch to mount in your pick-up bed, but this is for heavy duty pick-ups only.

Class I – 2,000 lbs GTW, 200 lbs TW Class II – 3,500 lbs GTW, 350 lbs TW Class III – 5,000 lbs GTW, 500 lbs TW Classes IV-V – 15,000 lbs GTW, 1,500 lbs TW

Hitches that are Classes I, II, and III are generally regarded as ‘weight-carrying’ hitches – they mount to the rear frame and/or bumper and simply pull the weight. Classes IV and V are ‘weight-distributing’ hitches, where hitch receivers distribute the load among the wheels of both the tow vehicle and trailer.
 

Loading Tips Proper weight distribution is vital for the safe operation of your trailer. As a general rule, try to keep as much cargo weight as you can directly over the trailer’s wheels and as low to the ground as possible. This will reduce your trailer from fishtailing. Also, keep a relative balance in the front-to-back weight distribution of your cargo – too much weight on either end can lift an axle and affect your steering. Many experts recommend a slight pitch forward (at about a 60-40 ratio) for optimal handling.
 

Vehicle Modifications There’s more to towing than just getting the right hitch – you’ll have to make a few more adjustments to your vehicle. First of all, you’ll need higher air pressure in your tires to handle the extra weight. The correct pressure for towing should also be in your owner’s manual, or sometimes is stamped onto the tires themselves.
 

Secondly, turn off your overdrive (if you have it) if you’ll be driving a heavy load over hilly terrain. In overdrive, your vehicle shifts gears more often and this can strain your transmission when towing a large load. Locking out overdrive – or switching to “Tow/Haul Mode” in late-model trucks – will also help your braking capacity on downward grades. If you’re towing lighter cargo on relatively even terrain, overdrive is acceptable.

Hooking it Up There’s more to connecting your trailer properly than just fastening the hitch. Most trailers use a ball mount to connect. For lighter loads (the Class I and Class II categories) you’ll need a 1-7/8” size ball, and heavier trailers (Classes III-V) require 2-2-5/16” in size. Again, this should be in your owner’s manual. When mounting the ball, make sure the trailer is in a level position and not pitching too far forward or back.
 

As a backup connection – and to fulfill a legal requirement – loop safety chains around the frames of the tow vehicle and trailer. For newer hitches, special chain receptacles are often built in. In case of a hitch malfunction, these chains can prevent disaster. You can purchase safety chains and chain clips at a hardware or outdoors store.
 

Trailers are required by law to have their own running lights, brake lights and turn signals. Typically, trailers will come with their own wiring kits and guides, but you can also purchase these separately if necessary. Unfortunately, all wiring kits are a little bit different but for the most part are easy to install. Make sure your connections are still in working order before leaving on any trip, and stow them when not in use to protect them from corrosion.
 

Driving while Towing Basically, driving with a trailer pinned to your bumper is a more cumbersome enterprise and takes a little extra skill and alertness. Adjust accordingly by allowing plenty of extra room between yourself and the vehicles around you. Your accelerating and braking distances will be greatly increased, as will your turning radius. For larger trailers that really impede your vision, consider buying additional side-view mirrors.
 

Now that you are hitched up, loaded up, and ready to go, that Big Vacation has never looked so enticing. From all of us at AutoExtra.com, enjoy the open road and remember: We’re all you need.
 

Please remember that although AutoExtra.com has attempted to provide comprehensive and correct information to the best of our knowledge, we make no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the information provided. Consult owner’s manuals from your tow vehicle, hitch and trailer in addition to this guide.

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