Safe towing, like all safe driving, requires the driver to maintain control of the vehicle, but safe towing is maintaining control of two vehicles, which is a bigger task with greater responsibility. It’s important to understand that a properly equipped vehicle goes well beyond the towing equipment. Your vehicle and trailer or what ever you might be towing, must be in good mechanical condition with all of the critical systems (including brakes, steering, suspension, drive train, electrical, wheels and tires) functioning properly.

A properly equipped tow vehicle / trailer combination must also adhere to the manufacturer’s tow ratings.
Your vehicle’s tow capacities are set by the manufacturer and cannot be increased with aftermarket parts.

These can be found in the owner’s manual and in the manufacturer’s towing guide. Among the most important concepts in towing safely is staying within the manufacturer’s listed tow capacity for your tow vehicle while staying in compliance with law enforcement regulations for the area in which you are operating.

 If you want to tow more weight, you need a vehicle that was designed and tested with a higher tow rating capacity as listed in the manufacturer’s towing guide for that specific vehicle. Keep in mind that the maximum tow rating for any given vehicle is with the ideal towing configuration.

There are a number of additional capacities that one must be aware of when preparing to tow. These include weight capacity, weight-carrying maximum trailer capacity, weight-distributing maximum trailer capacity, maximum tongue load and gross axle weight rating, to name a few.

It’s not enough to have the right towing equipment. It must be properly installed, adjusted and inspected each time a trailer is hooked up and towed. Trailer brake control settings, weight distribution system setup and placement of cargo in both tow vehicle and trailer are among the trip preparations that must be made for each outing.

Additionally, driver training is an important aspect of safe towing. Larger overall vehicle configuration and significantly increased weight means you’ll need more time to stop, more time to pass and more room to maneuver. Carefully read the instructions for both tow vehicle and trailer and get some practice time with an experienced trailer owner. Operating a properly equipped towing combination can be a very rewarding experience. Keeping your passengers and fellow travelers safe is a top priority.