With the camping, boating and RV season around the corner, you should find these 4 tips on trailer hitches and towing especially handy.
- The most important thing is to know the towing capacity of your SUV, truck or car. It is extremely dangerous to pull too much weight. Your vehicle has a specific tow rating that should match your hitch system. Check the owner’s manual if you aren’t sure about your towing capacity.
- Before towing, ensure the hitch ball is secure in the mount. The washer and lock nut must be torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications, depending on the size of the ball. A standard crescent or ratchet wrench won’t deliver enough torque, so be sure to tighten it up with a torque wrench.
- Proper loading of a trailer is critical for safe towing because an unbalanced load can cause dangerous trailer sway. Balance it by loading side-to-side along the trailer’s length. Place heavy objects in the front over the axles, as this is the strongest part.
- When trailer hitches and their connections aren’t well-secured, serious accidents can occur. Therefore, safety chains are essential if your trailer disengages from the tow vehicle. In fact, safety chains for trailer hitches are mandatory everywhere in the US.
Since 1979, our team at Scotty Muffler & Auto Repair has been providing honest and dependable services in the Lake Alfred area of Florida. Our certified technicians will have your truck or car back on the road in no time!