Driving with a Trailer

Towing a trailer requires experience.

Get familiar with handling and braking with the added trailer weight. The vehicle is now longer and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself.

Check all trailer hitch parts and attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps, tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working.

During the trip, check regularly to be sure that the load is secure, and the lamps and trailer brakes are working properly.

    See also:

    Hazard Warning Flashers
    (Hazard Warning Flashers): Press this button on the instrument panel, to make the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. This warns others that you are having trouble. Press aga ...

    Backing Up
    Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back u ...

    Lap Belt
    This part is only for the lap belt. To learn how to wear a lap-shoulder belt, see Lap-Shoulder Belt  . The vehicle may have a center seating position. When you sit in the center front seatin ...