Allow yourself more room to get up to speed when merging into traffic. Vehicles accelerate and decelerate slower when towing a trailer. Follow at a safe distance to slow or stop the vehicle safely. Excessive speed is the number one cause of rollovers and jackknife. Jackknife is when the trailer is at such a steep angle to the vehicle that it resembles the letter V.
Use a lower gear on steep hills. This helps your vehicle power up steep grades and keeps it in better control going down.
Check all posted height clearances if your trailer is large. Know your vehicle's GVW (gross vehicle weight). GVW includes the loaded vehicle with passengers and the loaded trailer. Check all posted bridges and overpasses to make sure it is safe for your vehicle.
Allow yourself more room to turn when towing a trailer. Turning too sharply causes the trailer to hit the curb, including people and property on the curb.
Stay close to the center line opposite the direction you are turning when pulling short trailers (crowd left if turning right, crowd right if turning left).
Take an extra lane to turn with long trailers. The space you need to turn varies depending on the length of your trailer.
Angle the vehicle to back toward the driver's side. It is impossible to see the right side until the vehicle is straight with the trailer.
Turning the steering wheel to the right turns the rear of your vehicle to the right, pushing the trailer left. The trailer moves in the opposite direction of the rear of the towing vehicle when backing.
Lower the driver's side window so you can better see behind you and hear any warning.
Use a spotter when backing if possible.
Decide on hand signals before backing. Have the spotter indicate which way the rear of the trailer should go, not which way you should turn the wheel. Be clear on the signal to stop.
Get out and check the area carefully before backing.
Park where you can pull out forward with a trailer. Backing into a spot is easier than backing out because you may not have room to maneuver in the spot, and you may not be able to see.
Choose your parking space carefully. The trailer adds length to your vehicle, and some parking lots or spaces may not accommodate it.
Align the front of your vehicle with those parked next to you. If you park too far back, another vehicle might not see you and hit you with their trailer.
