The first rule of trailer towing is that the tow vehicle and hitch must be capable of towing 15 percent of the gross weight of the trailer. The gross weight of the trailer is the total weight of the trailer and the contents inside. So if you have a 750-pound trailer and 200 pounds of cargo, the gross weight of your trailer is 950 pounds and the hitch must accommodate 142.5 pounds. Check your brakes before you begin towing, too, since you will be stopping not just the weight of the vehicle and its occupants but the trailer's gross weight as well.
Knowing the maximum tongue weight is the first step before putting a new hitch on a vehicle. To find the tongue weight, place the coupler on the hitch ball and measure the downward force with a scale. It is usually 10 percent of the hitch's rated capacity. The hitch's rated capacity is available in the owner's manual. The trailer ball should be located so that the trailer is level with the tow vehicle when attached. Safety chains should be long enough for tight turns and should be crossed when attached to the hitch. Greasing the trailer ball is important as well so that you get smoother action on turns.
Check the lights before each journey since light connectors corrode easily. Check the tire pressure as well. Depending on how heavy your trailer is and how good your trailers suspension is, the tire pressure could dip because of the weight of the trailer. Finally, grease the wheel bearings. It will help keep your tires in smoother running condition.
Towing a trailer makes braking more dangerous and difficult. It is also harder on the transmission of a vehicle. Trailers catch more wind and have a tendency to make the driver swerve more often. If the trailer starts to swerve, slow down until it feels that the trailer has stopped and continue at that speed until it is comfortable to speed up. Reversing also can be tricky, so have a spotter signal you or guide you when you back up your trailer.
