Safety on the road is a constant topic in public media and government campaigns. As a relatively more hazardous use of the road, towing needs to be addressed with the requisite attitude of responsibility. It is an extremely useful technique of carrying more goods or, in the case of RVs (recreational vehicles), going on an enjoyable and very private holiday. But people who tow should observe some obvious standards, no less so in their use of pop up hitches.
An important point to remember is that the sheer weight involved is more than what people ordinarily encounter in their daily activities. A light truck or 4x4 vehicle can easily weigh in excess of one ton. Once the trailer or RV has been added, the entire train has an exceptional weight by everyday standards. This requires the use of a hitch that is strong enough to sustain that mass, not only in a stationary parked position but also through the twisting and turning of ordinary driving.
In hard numbers, the hitch should have a load rating of up to 30 000lb for the trailer's gross mass. It should be obvious from this figure that towing is a potentially hazardous activity. One has only to think of a sharp turn at high speed or a sudden application of the brakes to realize how easily an accident can happen.
This is why those who use towing as a transport strategy, whether recreationally or professionally, should incorporate some simple measures into their activities. These measures are easy to understand and have a positive impact on the safety of the situation.
To begin with, and this may seem so mundane as to be irritating, the weight restrictions published by the manufacturer should always be adhered to. No matter how experienced or intelligent the driver may think he or she is, this is not negotiable. Trained engineers design the hitches, and they base their weight restrictions on issues such as metallurgical strength and load dynamics. It is not wise to try to argue with the estimate of a graduate engineer.
Secondly, in attaching a trailer to the vehicle you should make sure that there is enough space or clearance between the two. This does not only apply when they are standing still in a straight line, but also when the vehicle turns. They constitute an articulated unit, so the trailer will not turn at the same time as the vehicle.
Safety chains are important. Securing them properly is equally so. The chains should not be so slack that they will be ineffective if the main connection fails. They should also not be tight enough to restrict the movement of the trailer, especially during turning.
Distributing the load in the trailer is another important guideline. Some trailers come with instructions on how to do this. But even if they don't, never position the cargo more to one side than the other, or more to the front than the back. An unbalanced load will make steering unpredictable and can cause over-correction during driving.
The mirrors, indicators and other lights on the trailer might seem like a discretionary detail, but they are not. They are legislated features of the vehicle and making sure that they work properly is mandated by law. The law tries to protect other motorists through this stipulation, and so should the driver of the towed vehicle.
Towing has the potential to be used in both commercial and private circumstances, providing greater cargo capacity and also holiday accommodation. But it needs to be done sensibly, so as to guarantee the safety of both the tower and other motorists.
An important point to remember is that the sheer weight involved is more than what people ordinarily encounter in their daily activities. A light truck or 4x4 vehicle can easily weigh in excess of one ton. Once the trailer or RV has been added, the entire train has an exceptional weight by everyday standards. This requires the use of a hitch that is strong enough to sustain that mass, not only in a stationary parked position but also through the twisting and turning of ordinary driving.
In hard numbers, the hitch should have a load rating of up to 30 000lb for the trailer's gross mass. It should be obvious from this figure that towing is a potentially hazardous activity. One has only to think of a sharp turn at high speed or a sudden application of the brakes to realize how easily an accident can happen.
This is why those who use towing as a transport strategy, whether recreationally or professionally, should incorporate some simple measures into their activities. These measures are easy to understand and have a positive impact on the safety of the situation.
To begin with, and this may seem so mundane as to be irritating, the weight restrictions published by the manufacturer should always be adhered to. No matter how experienced or intelligent the driver may think he or she is, this is not negotiable. Trained engineers design the hitches, and they base their weight restrictions on issues such as metallurgical strength and load dynamics. It is not wise to try to argue with the estimate of a graduate engineer.
Secondly, in attaching a trailer to the vehicle you should make sure that there is enough space or clearance between the two. This does not only apply when they are standing still in a straight line, but also when the vehicle turns. They constitute an articulated unit, so the trailer will not turn at the same time as the vehicle.
Safety chains are important. Securing them properly is equally so. The chains should not be so slack that they will be ineffective if the main connection fails. They should also not be tight enough to restrict the movement of the trailer, especially during turning.
Distributing the load in the trailer is another important guideline. Some trailers come with instructions on how to do this. But even if they don't, never position the cargo more to one side than the other, or more to the front than the back. An unbalanced load will make steering unpredictable and can cause over-correction during driving.
The mirrors, indicators and other lights on the trailer might seem like a discretionary detail, but they are not. They are legislated features of the vehicle and making sure that they work properly is mandated by law. The law tries to protect other motorists through this stipulation, and so should the driver of the towed vehicle.
Towing has the potential to be used in both commercial and private circumstances, providing greater cargo capacity and also holiday accommodation. But it needs to be done sensibly, so as to guarantee the safety of both the tower and other motorists.
About the Author:
You can visit www.mrtruck.com for more helpful information about How To Use Pop Up Hitches Safely.
