Driving your vehicle
1966
Trailer towing
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to your
country's regulations and that it is prop
-
erly installed and operating correctly.
If your trailer weighs more than the max
-
imum trailer weight without trailer
brakes loaded, then it needs its own
brakes and they must be adequate. Be
sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to
install, adjust and maintain them prop
-
erly.
僅 Don't tap into your vehicle's brake
system.
Trailer brakes
Do not use a trailer with its own brakes
unless you are absolutely certain that
you have properly set up the brake sys
-
tem. This is not a task for amateurs. Use
an experienced, competent trailer shop
for this work.
Driving with a trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you must get to
know your trailer. Acquaint yourself with
the feel of handling and braking with the
added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and
not nearly so responsive as your vehicle
is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector(s), lights, tyres and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure, and that
the lights and trailer brakes are still
working.
Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when driv
-
ing your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up
ahead when you're towing a trailer. And,
because of the increased vehicle length,
you'll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move your hand to the
left. To move the trailer to the right,
move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making turns
When you're turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer won't strike soft shoulders, kerbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden manoeuvres. Signal well
in advance.
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