Photo by Shelly Busby on Unsplash
Do you love to go out and recreate? We do, too! We love getting our vehicle packed, hitching up the trailer, and driving off to our next adventure. It doesn't matter if we want to go boating, horseback riding, camping, show off our car in a show, or go racing around the track. We love it all!
But before we head out for the fun activities we have planned, we know that our top priority should be safety. That is why in this article, Pals Ocala Auto Repair wants to address how to safely tow your 5th wheel trailer, your boat trailer, your horse trailer, the trailer carrying your classic car, and anything else you might be hauling.
Many things can affect the safety of you, your passengers, your vehicle, and the trailer you are pulling. Because of the weight you are pulling behind your car, you need to be aware of the effects towing has on your transmission, maneuverability, fuel efficiency, steering stability, and more. Therefore, we recommend you are mindful of these safety tips before hauling off into the sunset.
Know your limits. If you are new to towing a trailer, you will immediately feel the difference while driving your vehicle. The braking response time, the amount of fuel you use, and the steering's sensitivity are all noticeably different when hauling something substantial behind you. We recommend you seek advice from experienced trailer owners, ask for help when parking your vehicle, follow the speed limits, and drive defensively.
Learn how to best pack your trailer. The three keys to packing properly are not exceeding the weight limit of your trailer, evenly distributed weight on the left and right sides of the trailer, and loading roughly 60% of the weight over the front half of the trailer. When you pack your trailer correctly, you will help stabilize your steering, suspension, and braking, but you'll also consume less fuel.
Adjust your mirrors. When you pull a trailer behind you, it may be harder to see everything. Adjust your mirrors so you can reduce blind spots. Move them around until you have clear visibility. If you can use a backup camera, that will help you tremendously. Your risk of getting into an accident drops considerably when you can remove blind spots and see any obstacles before changing lanes or making turns.
Do a safety inspection. Check your tires on your vehicle and your trailer to make sure they are properly inflated. Check your lights to make sure your headlights, taillights, braking lights, blinker lights, and interior lights are operating correctly. Double-check your brakes to ensure they are equipped to handle the extra load, the uphills, and the downhills while pulling a trailer and stop-and-go traffic. When you bring your vehicle and trailer to Pals Ocala Auto Repair, we will be happy to provide a safety inspection to reduce your risk of a breakdown while vacationing.
Our auto mechanics work with integrity and honesty to repair vehicles, which is why we are the preferred auto repair shop for drivers throughout the Ocala region, including The Villages, Dunnellon, Belleview, Citra, Summerfield, Anthony, Reddick, Silver Springs, and Silver Springs Shores. You can find us at 2821 SW College Road in Ocala, Florida. Give us a call at (352) 414-0667 to schedule your appointment. You'll be glad you chose Pals Ocala Auto Repair to service or repair your horse trailer, car trailer, boat trailer, camper, and more!