This pre-departure checklist is a great tool for your customers. Before towing a trailer, make sure the tow vehicle and trailer maintenance is current. This is very important because towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle.

• Check and correct tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer.
• Make sure the wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque.
• Be sure the hitch, coupler, chains, ball mount and other equipment that connect the trailer and the tow vehicle are properly secured and adjusted.
• Make sure the safety chains are properly criss-crossed and connected with enough slack to make turns.
• Check that the wiring is properly connected; not touching the road, but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or damaging the wires.
• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
• Verify that the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly.
• Ensure the breakaway system lanyard is connected to the tow vehicle frame or hitch, but not to the safety chains or ball mount.
• Check that the load is secured and will not move during transit.
• Be sure the trailer jack, tongue support and any attached stabilizers are raised and locked in place.
• Check load distribution to make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are properly distributed front-to-back and side to side.
• Check side- and rear-view mirrors to make sure you have good visibility.
• Check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.
• Make sure you have wheel chocks and jack stands.

For more information about safe towing practices, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com. This pre-departure checklist is included in the Safely Towing a Trailer brochure which is available for purchase. For more information about purchasing NATM products, click here.
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​NATM will be offering a FREE webinar for NATM members and dealer affiliates!
 
DATE: Friday, December 6, 2019
 
TIME: 2:00 PM CST
 
EMERGING TRENDS - TOPICS TO INCLUDE (but not limited to):
U.S. DOT Safety Statistics
Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
Electricity Statistics
2020 Rivian Electric Pick-Up Truck
Robots in Trailer Manufacturing
Trailer GVWR Analysis
Camera Systems on Trailers
OEM Tow Vehicle Camera Systems
Aftermarket Camera Systems
Trailer Antilock Brake Systems (ABS)
Tire Pressure & Heat Monitoring Systems
Cargo Loading Software
Cellular Connectivity
 
PRESENTER: NATM Technical Director, Colin Holthaus
 
REGISTER HERE
 
Questions? Please contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew
at (785) 272-4433 or Kelli.Maydew@natm.com.

Membership renewal forms were mailed and emailed to NATM members this November. In order to avoid a membership lapse, 2020 dues are to be paid by January 31, 2020. Per NATM Bylaws, all membership benefits will be suspended beginning Feb. 1 for any member with unpaid dues.

For Trade Show Exhibitors, it is important to note that NATM DUES MUST BE PAID BY DECEMBER 31st, 2019 to maintain the member rate for booths at the February 2020 Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Membership dues will again go unchanged in 2020. Rates are $795 for Associate (Supplier) members, $135 for Associate Branch members, $925 for Regular and International Regular (Trailer Manufacturer) members and $300 for Regular Branch members. If you joined between February and October of 2019, your 2020 dues are prorated accordingly.

NATM greatly values your membership and 2020 promises to be another fantastic year to be a NATM member. You can pay by check, over the phone, or online. The NATM website has a “Members Only” section where members are able to sign in and pay dues at any time.
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If you have questions, including username and password information for the “Members Only” site, please contact NATM Member Services Coordinator Kathy Johnson at (785) 272-4433 or Kathy.Johnson@natm.com. 

Members of NATM are cordially invited to attend the annual NATM Membership Meeting during the 2020 Convention & Trade Show on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 10:15-11:15 a.m. No ticket is required for entry.

During the membership meeting, NATM will report on the many exciting achievements that took place over 2019, will give an update on the status of the 2019-2021 Strategic Plan, and will communicate about anticipated changes to the Association in the future. The NATM Executive Committee will be in attendance to answer questions. NATM Board Members will be dispersed throughout the room for one-on-one discussions as well.

In addition, we look to you as members for feedback and input on any topics and issues important to you that you would like to see NATM and its Board of Directors address. To submit comments regarding the Membership Meeting, please contact natmhq@natm.com.
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Those that are not NATM Members in good standing are unable to attend the event but may attend the Awards Luncheon with a ticket following the Membership Meeting.