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NATM Blog

Pre-Departure Safety Checklist for Towing

11/20/2019

5 Comments

 
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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5 Comments
Fast Towing 24/7 link
12/22/2019 11:49:29 am

Thanks for this great article and providing education about towing. One additional point extremely important is that safety must be ensured while driving as well. When towing your vehicle for a long distance you need to check every 50 miles everything is OK. That means stoping on a rest area and checking the chains ares still properly attached, the wires connected, etc. It's crucial for towing safety.

Reply
Greta James link
3/13/2020 01:58:07 pm

Thank you so much for pointing out that you need to make sure the wiring to your truck is secure so that all of the blinkers and slop lights work, but the cord needs to be long enough that you can turn without it getting damaged. About a week ago, I was talking to my godfather, and he mentioned that he wants to purchase a trailer so that he can go camping more often and still have nice amenities. I hope that he gets any trailer inspected before he goes on a trip so that he knows it is safe.

Reply
Rebecca Gardner link
5/1/2020 12:31:57 pm

It made sense when you said that the brakes on the trailer should be checked before transit to make sure they're working properly. My brother told me he's looking into buying a side tipper trailer he can use to move materials when he opens his local service business this summer. I'll pass along your safety tips so he can get into the habit of going through the checklist before towing the trailer!

Reply
24 hour towing Metairie link
12/17/2020 09:25:15 pm

Very important information for safe towing.

Reply
Daphne Gilpin link
1/27/2021 12:50:49 pm

I like your suggestion to double-check that the safety chinas are properly crossed and have enough slack to safely make turns. My dad wants to rent a gravel trailer to help with a big landscaping project he's planning for his rural property this summer. This advice should help him avoid common issues when driving with the trailer, so I'll be sure to share them with my dad soon!

Reply



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