Grab the kids and load up the family dog, because Avondale Nissan is going on vacation. It’s about to get extremely warm in the Phoenix area, and this provides ample reason to get the heck outta Dodge. However, since this vacation will include a sizeable haul behind our vehicle, we’re going to run through a few safety tips for pulling a trailer. Read closely, because these are important, alright?
Every vehicle has its own max towing capacity, which should obviously be followed closely. But how do you even know how heavy your trailer is? For this, you’ll want to visit a CAT scale, which can be found at many truck stops and are relatively cheap to use. You’ll also want to check the weight limit for the trailer hitch itself, as well as your truck’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating.
Packing a trailer takes real planning and know-how, and items can’t just be hastily tossed in. Instead, plan to put about 60% of the weight in the front half of the trailer, evenly dispersing items on the left and right. This allows a trailer to keep an ideal “tongue weight,” which is the specific static weight that is placed on your trailer hitch.
Read More: The Towing Prowess of the 2016 Nissan Titan XD
Obviously, there are few things that can derail your family vacation like a blown tire, and that’s why it’s crucial that you check the inflation level of all tires on your truck and trailer. Underinflated tires will heat up, reduce handling and increase your rolling resistance, making for a rougher ride and lower fuel economy.
Wider trailers tend to obscure the taillights on your truck, which means that you’ll need taillights and marker lights on your trailer as well. Enlist a friend to stand behind your trailer as you test your lights, and make sure that all are working properly.
Anyone who has ever pulled a trailer downhill knows the enormous importance of brakes. Larger trailers might require brakes of their own, so make certain that these brakes are working properly before you disembark. Additionally, check to make sure that the “breakaway” cable is properly connected, which halts a trailer if it becomes disengaged from the hitch.
We obviously wouldn’t feel the need to explain the importance of trailer safety if we didn’t have a large number of vehicles that are capable for towing. Visit us at Avondale Nissan today to check out models such as the 2016 Nissan Titan XD and 2016 Nissan Pathfinder!
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