This area should always strike a common sense feeling for most. However, all too often I talk to people that make a comment that suggests otherwise. This really should not be a complicated topic. The only way you make this hard is by not following a regiment of quick easy steps. Why that’s not done is beyond me.

The vital step before towing at all is to ensure you are hooked up correctly and by all means if you are not sure how it should be or look, then simply ask. This is for your safety and everyone else too. Do you have too much weight on the truck or too little? Don’t take so much weight off the truck that you have no traction. I had someone not long ago mention how poorly his tires were wearing when towing. Said they were going bald on the back and after some consideration and more information it was clear they were literally spinning bald trying to pull. He did not have enough weight on them to give them solid traction. Simple fix, lower your weight bars and add weight to the truck.

Is your trailer sitting close to level? How often do we see a trailer nose down? Seriously it is not hard to raise the hitch a notch or two. They think the trailer has to aim down to put weight out front I guess. And yes that does to some degree need to happen but this not good practice by any means and can prematurely wear out trailer tires as well. Never mind trucks that look ready for take off because there is way to much weight on the tongue. Look, you need set the hitch while parked on level ground and it may take a try or two to get everything set they you want. Most hitch kits come with pretty good instructions for setup and yet people tend to get in a hurry and just hook up. Once you have the right setup, it’s not like you have do anything after that. Just hook and go. It really only needs to be revisited if you see trailer tires wearing poorly or truck tires doing the same which they should not do under normal circumstances. The other change I see at times is new tires of a different size put on the truck. Then yes, recheck you hitch setup to see how everything looks. Just take the few minutes. If your weight is not distributed correctly you could be setting yourself for any number of potentially very hazardous situation.

Simple easy steps to follow every time for safe travels.

Hook up. Simple.. Hang your safety chains crossed. So the left to the right side and right chain to the left side on the truck. I grew understanding that this makes a “basket” to catch the hitch if it every did pop off. This is by no means full proof but good practice as the chains will tightened up faster having been crossed. I also hook my chains in from underneath so they can’t be bounced out of the eyelets.

I keep my over ride break away break on a separate clip and hook it in separate of the safety chains.

Always ensure your wiring harness is free of moisture, debris and corrosion. Double make sure you have pushed it and secured it in the slot. You will know anyway when testing lights. And on to the next thing…. Always check your lights. Turn signals, brake lights and running lights. It is always good practice to know everything is in good working condition.

Tires….Check all your tires for good pressure and for heavens sake don’t forget to check the spare on both the truck and the trailer. I know this means crawling up underneath but you have got to make sure it is in good condition and ready to help out if you need it. We have needed plenty over the years. You will never regret it if you just take the time to check it out.

Before moving, double check all your doors on the trailer are locked and one last good walk around to make sure nothing has been overlooked.

Once you have pulled out, double check your brakes. Don’t assume things are fine. Test them against the controller. Takes a second. Remember different road conditions and temperatures can effect their capabilities as well. (You should have done the original setup on flat ground at about 25mph). Though you still need to test them each and every trip out. (To much brake and you are tearing up the trailer, too little and you are tearing up the truck). Had friend recently who thought his breaks were set pretty good. Wore out his rotors and front brakes extremely early. Please be vigilant about a good braking system for everyones safety.