1. Towing Small Utility Trailers
A Ten-Minute Training Topic Presentation

2. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Statistics
“As many as 65,000 crashes per year involved vehicles towing utility trailers.” – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

3. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Introduction
If you tow a trailer, you face some different challenges on the highway than you may be used to when driving a car, pickup, SUV or straight truck by itself.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

4. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Introduction
Towing a trailer is represents a significant responsibility and should be handled with great care.
An accident with a tow vehicle and trailer can have much greater consequences than carelessness with a single vehicle.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

5. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Introduction
Whether you tow a utility trailer, or a low-decked trailer for small equipment that wouldn’t fit in a pickup, balancing the load and preparing the trailer and tow vehicle are critical to safe handling.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

6. Evaluating Your Tow Vehicle
A pickup that has a cargo capacity rating of 1000 pounds can carry that much in the bed, but might not support that much weight at the trailer connection without specialized tow-hitch gear.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

7. Evaluating Your Tow Vehicle
Additionally, the suspension, engine, transmission and brakes are designed to work within that capacity range making it easy to overload by pulling a trailer while also filling the bed with equipment, tools or supplies.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

8. Evaluating Your Tow Vehicle
A careful study of the owner’s manual should provide clear guidance on the capacity of your tow vehicle.
Also, be careful to note whether the manual discusses “Maximum” capacity, or “Recommended” capacities – they are different and critical.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

9. Evaluating Your Tow Vehicle
Even when you’re confident that the total load weight can be handled by the tow vehicle, you need to remember that the vehicle will handle and perform differently than when merely carrying cargo in the bed.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

10. Evaluating Your Tow Vehicle
The added strain on the transmission and brakes will be noticeable on hills, and you’ll need to be careful to monitor swerving or swaying of the trailer within the lane of travel.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

11. Weight and Placement of Loads
One of the most critical aspects of safely operating a trailer is knowing the weights involved and where they are placed.
The first thing to determine is how much is being towed and confirming that it is within the capacities of the equipment being used.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

12. Weight and Placement of Loads
Overloading the trailer can cause performance problems when pulling the trailer – it will cause your vehicle’s engine to over-work the load and can compromise braking capacity, too.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

13. Weight and Placement of Loads
If the loads are placed improperly, they will tend to push down or rise up on the trailer connection which can lift up the rear end of your powered tow vehicle. This can affect your handling, steering and braking.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

14. Weight and Placement of Loads
Determining WHERE that load is placed is critical to the way your rig will handle on the road.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

15. Weight and Placement of Loads
Placing the load too far forward (of the trailer axle) tends to push down on the hitch connection and can actually lift the front axle of your tow vehicle (compromising steering and braking).
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

16. Weight and Placement of Loads
Placing the load too far towards the rear of the trailer can lift the hitch connection and cause the trailer to swerve (oscillate) in the lane.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

17. Weight and Placement of Loads
Loads that are not centered can tilt the trailer, place stress on the hitch system and lead to swaying.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

18. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Securing the Load
Loads will tend to shift and wander unless they are properly and securely tied down to the trailer.
Shifting loads can cause all sorts of damage and even lead to rollovers.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

19. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Securing the Load
Just because a load is heavy doesn’t assure that it won’t move during a panic stop or swerve.
Loads need to be tied-down, braced or blocked to prevent movement.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

20. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Securing the Load
To be effective, your tie downs must be able to withstand tremendous strains and need to be anchored securely, too.
Braces, bars, chains and straps are specially made to secure loads to trailers (some with bodies, others that are flush-decked).
We have a separate training topic on securing loads!
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

21. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Wind Buffeting
Windy conditions can affect your driving when pulling a trailer.
The trailer, especially if a full body van (as opposed to an open deck), can act as a large sail and be blown to the side.
This can set up swaying and swerving in the lane.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

22. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Wind Buffeting
Additionally, as your tow vehicle is blown to the right by a gust of wind, most drivers would automatically correct by pulling to the left.
This sudden move can further unbalance the trailer as it whips to the left – potentially leading to an overturn in extreme cases.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

23. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Wind Buffeting
Another scenario occurs when being passed by a motor coach or large tractor trailer rig.
These large vehicles build up a pressure wave in front of them and this can force your tow vehicle and trailer to be buffeted by the passing pressure change.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

24. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Wind Buffeting
It’s important to make corrections in a controlled fashion and not by sudden movements.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

25. General Tips for Drivers
If you have little or no experience driving with a towed trailer, you’ll need to practice on lightly traveled roads at times when there isn’t a lot of traffic.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

26. General Tips for Drivers
Having a coach with you who is familiar with handling towed trailers can be a comfort so long as they do not distract you from your task.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

27. General Tips for Drivers
Learning to apply brakes early and handling trailer sway can help you when you’re dealing with hills or heavier traffic situations.
Remember, it will take longer to start and stop when carrying the extra load.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

28. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Maintenance
Trailers need preventative maintenance, just like powered equipment:
Brakes, brake lights, connections, hitch systems, safety chains and tie down equipment used to secure cargo must be inspected and repaired before each use.
Tires also need to be checked for proper air pressure.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

29. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Maintenance
Since most trailer wheels don’t steer, they get flexed as the trailer gets turned.
Over time this could loosen the lug nuts on the wheels so they need to be checked periodically.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

30. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Maintenance
Connections between the trailer and tow vehicle can control brake lights and the application of the trailer brakes.
These multi-pin connections should be cleaned and tested to be certain that the electrical signals are being passed consistently.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

31. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Summary
Trailers provide cargo space and a means to move equipment that isn’t easily loaded into the cargo area of a larger truck.
Trailers need to be properly maintained, and loaded properly to be used safely.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

32. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
Summary
The addition of a trailer may cause performance of the vehicle to be different than normal, but with practice and vigilant attention to your driving duties, you can be productive.
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems

33. Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems
This presentation was developed for the benefit of clients of SafetyFirst Systems.
Receipt and/or possession of this slideshow does not convey any right to re-distribute beyond your own organization, or any right to create derivative works from this material for any purpose without the express permission of SafetyFirst Systems.
If you have questions about the proper use of this or related documents, please contact SafetyFirst at
Copyright 2010 SafetyFirst Systems