SAFE TRAILER TOWING GUIDELINES
• Recheck the load tie downs to make sure the load will not shift during
towing.
• Before towing, check coupling, safety chain, brakes, tires, wheels and
lights.
• Check the lug nuts or bolts for tightness.
• Adjust the brake controller to engage the trailer brakes before the tow vehicle
brakes. Follow the brake controller manufacturer’s literature.
• Use your turn signals well in advance.
• Allow plenty of stopping space for your trailer and tow vehicle.
• Do not drive so fast that the trailer begins to sway due to speed. Generally never drive faster
than 60 m.p.h.
• Allow plenty of room for passing. A rule of thumb is that the passing distance with a trailer is 4
times the passing distance without a trailer.
• Use lower gears for climbing and descending grades.
• Do not ride the brakes while descending grades; they may get so hot that they stop working.
Then you will potentially have a runaway tow vehicle and trailer.
• Slow down for bumps in the road.
• Do not brake while in a curve unless absolutely necessary. Instead, slow down before you
enter the curve.
• Do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to correct extreme trailer swaying. Instead, lightly apply
the trailer brakes with the hand controller.
• The coupler is secure to the hitch and is locked,
• Electrical connectors are made,
• There is appropriate slack in the safety chains,
• There is appropriate slack in the breakaway switch pull pin cable,
• The tires are not visibly low on pressure, and
• The cargo is secure and in good condition.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could cause a crash or could cause injury or
-
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or ABC Manufacturing
Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
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trator, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE West Building Washington, DC 20590. You can also
obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
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GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
/www.safercar.gov