 |
Towing |
       |
|
Towing a trailer or boat with your automobile |
||||||||
Before you start pulling a trailer or hitch up an 18-foot-long boat, it's best to know the towing capacity of your car, truck, SUV or recreational vehicle. Towing too much weight can not only cause many different mechanical problems, but can also be very unsafe if your brakes aren't rated for that weight. The first thing to do before towing is refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle, which should give you specific numbers regarding how much weight you can tow. There are also a few definitions you should keep in mind: Base curb weight - this is, in simplest terms, the actual weight of your entire vehicle, including all fluids (full tank of gas, lubricating fluids, coolant) and any additional equipment. Cargo weight - cargo weight includes the weight of the passengers, cargo and any optional equipment Allowable Payload - this is the maximum amount of weight, including cargo and passengers, a vehicle can carry. Knowing how much weight your vehicle can tow will keep your ride safe and help you better prepare for loading. Other factors: Check Your Mirrors. You should have side mirrors that will adjust out as possible for a good rear view. Check Your Lights. Every time you hook up have someone watch and verify the trailer lights are functioning. Check Your Tires. Make sure the trailer tires are properly inflated the the tires are not cracking for worn. Towing is harder on the vehicle tires also, check them also. Check your Brakes. That trailer adds more work and wear on your brakes. Stay Cool Make sure that cooling system is full of clean coolant and hoses are good, more weight puts a bigger strain on the cooling system. Adding a transmission cooler, especially if your tow vehicle is an automatic, will significantly reduce the temperature of the oil circulating through your vehicle's transmission and might save a meltdown. Hitches There are basically two types of hitches: Weight-carrying hitches and weight-distributing hitches. Weight-carrying hitches are recommended for trips when the combined weight of the trailer and cargo is 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms) or less. Weight-distributing hitches, on the other hand, are recommended for heavier loads.
|
  |
|||||||
