A trailer hitch allows you to tow boats, cars, and motor homes with relative ease. If you are about to invest in a hitch but are new to towing boats or anything else behind your truck or car, review the following best practices. They help you tow vehicles and equipment of varying sizes and weights safely.

4 Practices for Towing With a Trailer Hitch

1. Stay Aware of Weight Limits

Never pull more than your trailer hitch and vehicle can handle. Exceeding your car or truck’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or its maximum towing capacity, can cause several problems.

It contributes to premature tire and brake failure. Too much weight also stresses the engine, drivetrain, and transmission. It causes the engine to overheat from working overtime, resulting in an overloaded drivetrain and worn transmission.

2. Balance the Load

Avoid fishtailing when you drive with even weight distribution. Place heavier cargo at the front of your trailer, preferably in front of the axle. Other items should get centered from left to right and kept in place with bungee cords or rope.

For the best results, place about 60% of the cargo weight in the front of the trailer and the remaining 40% towards the rear to keep the trailer tongue straight instead of swaying from side to side.

3. Keep Your Tires Inflated

Use a tire gauge to check inflation levels prior to every towing trip. Using a trailer hitch to pull any amount of extra weight can cause blowouts because the tires are over- or under-inflated and cannot accommodate the additional pressure. Your car and trailer tires should also feature sufficient tread that grips the road to help your “caravan” remain in position.

4. Drive Slowly

Never speed while towing since it takes longer to slow down when you’re hauling extra weight. Remain in the right lane as much as possible while staying aware of other vehicles.

Do not pass unless it is absolutely necessary since accelerating takes more time, and you are at an increased risk of cutting someone off. Drive at about 40 miles an hour to make turning, accelerating, and stopping as stress-free as possible. Also, take slow, wide turns since sharp ones can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. 

Purchase trailer hitches, lift kits, and other truck accessories from Line-X of Troy. Based in Troy, OH, this superstore makes it easy to outfit your truck, jeep, or SUV with everything it needs for towing and off-roading. Call (937) 335-0560 today with accessory questions or learn about trailer hitches for sale online. Like the Facebook page for helpful and innovative vehicle upgrade ideas.