Car Hauler Towing Safety Tips

A car hauler offers an easy way to haul vehicles from one destination to another. Whether you want to transport new cars to a dealership or damaged ones to a repair shop, these useful trailers are designed to get those vehicles where they need to be quickly and efficiently. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re being as safe and responsible as possible when using and towing a car hauler.

Towing Preparation

With a little preparation, you can make the entire process a breeze. A little legwork upfront will ensure your towing experience goes smoothly. Your first step will be to make sure your tow vehicle is capable of handling the weight of your car hauler with all the vehicles loaded onto it. Check your vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating. This lets you know how much it can tow. The number includes the weight of any cargo or passengers, so keep that in mind.

Your next step is to make sure you fully understand the towing process, which is where this guide comes into play. You will be using a large vehicle to tow the car hauler. You don’t want to go wrong with this so review the steps multiple times until you feel confident about the process. Of course, knowing the steps is one thing. Going through the process a few times in a no-stress situation can really help give you the confidence you need when it’s time to travel.

Hook Up the Trailer

Try to find as flat ground as possible to do this step. Loading cars on an uneven trailer will take longer and be more difficult. Flat ground is the way to go. Position the car hauler tongue so that it sits above the ball hitch. Slowly back up until the latch sits below the tongue. Put the tongue on the ball joint. Secure it tightly. Place the towing chains in the formation of an X under the tongue. Connect the chains to the tow vehicle. This will be a safeguard if the trailer becomes unhitched.

Loading the Vehicles

Read through the owner’s manual for the specific instructions on positioning your ramp for easy loading of the vehicles. Line up your cars with the ramp and ride slowly up to it. You are trying to get enough momentum to get up the slope, but too much and you can shoot far into the cargo bay. Aim for a nice middle ground.

You will want to be intentional about where you place the weight of your vehicles inside the trailer. Aim for 60% of the weight in the front, 40% in the rear, and 10% on the hitch. It’ll strain your tow vehicle to put too much weight in the front. Your hitch could snap if you put too much weight in the rear.

Tow Safely

The extra weight of the cars will affect how your tow vehicle handles. It will take more time and distance to bring your vehicle to a full stop. You’ll have to approach corners at different angles. You’ll need more space to change lanes. That’s why it’s so important to practice driving with the trailer and extra weight before hitting the road.

You’ll want to drive defensively and leave extra space between you and the other motorists. Take lane changes and turns slow. Don’t head out in adverse weather or road conditions. Be cautious and proactive as you drive. Before you know it, you’ll be at your destination safe, sound, and ready to ride!

We hope that his car hauler towing safety guide has been useful. If you’ve any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at True Value Trailers & Power Equipment in Penrose and Florence, CO. We welcome all those coming from Pueblo and Colorado Springs.