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Trailer Brakes
Following Distance
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to
tap into
your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won't work well, or at all.
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 as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before
you start,
check the
trailer hitch and
platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, 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 lamps and any trailer brakes
are still
working.
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as
you
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 trailer. And, because you're a good dea
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if
possible, have someone guide you.
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