Safe Driving Tips - Baldor TS25 Installation & Operating Manual

Selecting the Proper Towing Equipment
Electrical Trailer Wiring
All trailers must have taillights, brake lights and turn signals connected to the towing vehicle's
electrical system. It is also recommended that a heavy duty turn signal flasher and emergency
flasher (if separate) be installed since the trailer lights place an extra load on car flasher units.
Towing Heavy Trailer Loads

Safe Driving Tips

4-2 Operation
Continued
1. Trailer brakes. In all cases refer to your vehicle's owner manual and the trailer
operating manual to be certain you have an adequate braking system to handle the
vehicle/trailer combination. Also, State requirements, road and weather conditions and
grade of road, etc. should be considered for trailer braking.
2. Additional equipment. The following items may be helpful for towing heavy loads.
Consult your vehicle's owner manual or dealership for recommended towing
accessories.
a. Overload Springs
b. Overload or air shocks
c. Transmission Oil Cooler
d. Engine Oil Cooler
e. Coolant recovery System
f. Heavy Duty Fan
g. Side View Mirrors
h. Sway Control
1. Loading Trailer. The trailer should be loaded so that the downward tongue weight is
approximately 10% of the gross trailer weight.
2. Following and stopping distance. The stopping distance is increased when towing a
trailer. A rule of thumb for the minimum distance that should be maintained between
you and the preceding car on dry pavement is one car and trailer length (2 car lengths)
for every 10 MPH you are traveling. The distance should be increased accordingly
depending on road and weather conditions. Avoid sudden stops if possible.
3. Passing. Accelerating and passing should be done slowly to allow extra distance for
passing. Signal well in advance when passing and returning to the proper lane. Allow
for the extra length of the trailer before changing lanes. Never change lanes abruptly
as this may cause the trailer to sway and push the tow vehicle into a "jack knife"
condition.
4. Turning. Allow for the extra length of the trailer. Drive slightly beyond normal turning
point to avoid running over curbs and soft shoulders. Turning radius increases when
towing.
5. Uphill and Downhill Grades. Reduce speed and use a lower transmission gear for
steep or long up or down hill grades. Maintain safe distance from other vehicles.
6. Parking.
S Avoid parking on uphill or downhill grades
S Place transmission in "PARK"
S Apply parking brake.
S Use wheel chucks.
S In a parking lot, avoid parking close to other vehicles. Turning radius is greater
and it may be impossible to get out of a parking space after a few other vehicles
have parked around your vehicle.
7. Trailer Sway. If trailer sways, reduce speed by applying trailer brakes rather than car
brakes to control sway. If excessive sway persists, consult your local dealer for help.
8. Trailer Backing. Backing a trailer can be frustrating. The most important item to
remember is that the trailer will go in the opposite direction of the tow vehicle. It is
helpful to have another person help you back the trailer and watch for objects.
Turn the vehicle's wheels to the right to make the trailer go left, and vice versa.
Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. The trailer will go in the same
direction your hand moves (moving your hand to the right will cause the trailer to go
right, and vice versa). Sharp steering wheel corrections will cause the trailer to
jackknife and may cause damage to the rear of the tow vehicle or the front of the trailer.
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