After I bought my first car, I have to admit that I never knew the importance of tire rotation. I learned my lesson the hard way when the tread of my front tires wore down very quickly, while my back tires were still in great shape. I thought that the traction of the back two would make up for the front two. I learned I was very wrong one day when I slammed on my breaks while driving in the rain. I rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. Thankfully, no one was injured. However, I learned that if I had rotated my tires regularly, I could have avoided that accident. I know there are many new car owners who don't know much about cars, which have since became a passion of mine, so I decided to create a blog to share all my tips to help others!
One of the biggest mistakes both newcomers and experienced towers to trailering make is not properly connecting the trailer to the towing vehicle. Not taking the time to ensure there is a good hitch can have disastrous results. The process may seem tedious and laborious, but it is crucial to ensure everything is installed properly so that you do not lose your trailer or cause a major accident while traveling down the highway. Safety should always be the primary concern when towing anything on a trailer. The following tasks should be taken care of very meticulously before towing:
Inspect The Hitch Ball And Coupler
One mistake some people make when towing is using improperly sized hitch balls and couplers. Using a hitch ball that is too small for the coupler will result in a loose connection. These two pieces of equipment should fit together seamlessly like a puzzle. There should be no give at all and should lock together completely. If your coupler on the trailer is too big for your hitch ball, you can simply switch out the hitch to the correct size. You can find new hitches in almost any auto supply store. They are relatively easy to install to your vehicle.
Once you have the correct sized hitch, be sure to lubricate both the coupler and the ball before attaching them together. After locking them together, attach the chain safety if that feature is available on your trailer. Also use the emergency breakaway switch if your trailer has one.
Connect The Trailer To The Vehicle Electrical System
Another mistake to avoid is failing to attach the trailer to the electrical system of the towing vehicle. This involves simply connecting the wiring from the trailer to the wires found near the hitch of the vehicle. This will allow your trailer's brake lights and turn signals to coordinate with those on the vehicle. Be sure to inspect the trailer lights before you leave on your journey to ensure they are connected properly. If they are not working, the connection could be loose or the bulbs in the lights may need to be replaced. Do not skip this step. It is not only dangerous to not have functioning trailer lights, but is also unlawful to not have proper brake lights.
When you are hitching up your trailer, be sure to carefully inspect your surroundings in order to remain safe. Always keep children and pets away when you are connecting your trailer. Do not allow them to stand in between the trailer and the vehicle while you are connecting them, as the trailer could slip at any time and cause a major injury. Also check the trailer tires and the jack leg to make sure they are working properly before driving. Click here for more information about car haulers.
Share15 February 2016
