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distance is less than 12 inches, take
the foot off the trailer tongue.
Will you have to make any holes in
the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure
t o
seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don't
seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle (see "Carbon Monoxide"
in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of the
trailer so that the tongue will not drop to
the road if
it
becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions about safety chains
may
be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's
recommendation for attaching safety
chains. Always leave just enough slack
so
you can turn with pour rig. And, never
allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000
pounds (450 kg) loaded, then
it
needs
its
own brakes -and
they must be adequate.
Be sure
t o
read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to
install, ad-just and maintain them properly.
Don't tap into your vehicle's brake
system if the trailer's brake system
will use more than 0.02 cubic inch
(0.3 cc)
of fluid from your vehicle's
master cylinder. If
it
does. both
systems won't work well. You could
even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000
psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If not,
the trailer brake system must not be
used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far. then
make the brake fluid tap at the port on
the master cylinder that sends fluid to
the rear brakes. But don't use copper
tubing for
this.
If you do,
it
will bend
and finally break off. Use steel brake
tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount
of experience. Before setting out for the
open road, you'll want to get to know
your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel
of handling and braking with the added
weight of the trailer.
And
always keep in
mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now
a good deal longer and not nearly so
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform. safety chains, electrical
contwxtor. lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure. and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are
still
working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as y o u would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up
ahead when you're towing a tnliler. And.
because you're
B
good deal longer, you'll
need to go
much
farther beyond the
127
. . .
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