Towing Safety

 

Inspect the tow bar, dolly or trailer for loose bolts and worn parts. Tighten loose bolts and replace worn parts before hooking up. If you have bolts that are consistently coming loose, use Loctite or put on a double nut to keep them tight.

During Hook Up

  1. Hook up on a flat smooth surface.
  2. If you have a coupler style tow bar; check the fit of the coupler on the ball. Adjust the coupler if necessary.
  3. Hook up the tow bar.
  4. Set up the towed vehicle’s steering and transmission to tow.
  5. Check your parking brake to ensure it is disengaged.
  6. Latch the legs on a self-aligning tow bar.
  7. Attach the safety cables. Cross the cables between the vehicles and wrap the cables around the tow bar legs to keep them from dragging.
  8. Attach the electrical cable.
  9. Check the function of all lights on both vehicles.
  10. Locate your spare key and lock the towed vehicle’s doors.
  11. Drive with care and remember your vehicle will be about 25 feet longer while towing.
  12. How do the tires look on your tow vehicle, trailer, or dolly? Check the air prior to driving.
  13. Hook up and check your auxiliary braking system if equipped.
  14. Have your co-pilot double check to ensure you have performed the 11 items above before you take off. Believe me, it has saved me more than once from a problem occurring. Especially, if your neighbor is talking to you, while you are hitching up.

Each time you stop, check the tow bar, base plate and cables to make sure they are still properly attached. Check the tires of the towed vehicle to make sure they are not going flat. If you are using a dolly or trailer, check the wheels to make sure they are not hot to the touch. If the wheels are hot, it may indicate a brake or bearing problem. Each day before you start check the lights to make sure they are working properly. Between trips clean the towbar and cables to keep them in good shape. Also, clean and lubricate the tow bar as recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions.

If using a trailer, look at your tires, feel the tension on your tie down chains, straps, and retighten the chain tighteners if you use them.

Tip: Make sure your tow bar is adjusted to your car (height wise), when fully connected and sitting on level ground. This very important. The most desirable is to have the towbar perfectly level between the motorhome and the towed vehicle. (2” either way is acceptable but no more). If necessary, purchase a drop hitch to correct an un-level condition.

 

Submitted by Mike Sundberg - 3/28/06