First Time Towing

[BDMiller]

So I am about to pick up my first trailer on Friday afternoon. It is a 1962 Airstream Overlander. I have never seriously towed anything so I am looking for any suggestions on what to do, not do, or look out for. My rig has a trailer brake & hitch & everything & the Airstream comes with a weight distributing hitch. I will only be towing it about 90 miles & I drive like a man twice my age.

So any suggestions on a first time experience?

 

[AMink]

Get a set of 2 way radios. Keeps your helper from looking like a screaming chicken when helping you back into a tight space! Check the tires for sidewall cracks. Trailer tires generally dry out before they wear out. Make sure that when you back your trailer there is not only room on the sides and behind, but above. It stinks to put a low branch through the back of your baby. (Not me, a friend . ) Make sure your bearings are packed and your brakes don't drag. Extra heat=blown tires. Tongue weight should be between 10 and 15% of total weight. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Trophy1]

Amink is giving you solid advice. Also be sure to have your tires properly inflated on both the horse and trailer as well as the spares. Make your turns wider than normal and pull into intersections more to allow for the towed vehicle to follow the horse around the turn. Watch your mirrors every minute or so to see how things are going. After a few turns and miles you will feel comfortable towing and 90 miles is a cake walk so relax. Good luck. Oo.

 

[Schicken bone]

i towed tt for almost 3 years before i bought a 5er. if your camper should get to swaying when past by a big rig, remember that the brake controller has a manual lever. in other words stay on the gas and hit the trailer brakes to stop the sway. good luck. after a few pulls you will have it down pat.

 

[Big Mike]

Most importantly... TAKE YOUR TIME, other than that all above is very good advice.



Good luck with your brand spankin' used TT



Mike

 

[BTighe]

if your truck has loose/poor steering like mine watch out for fast corrections on the hwy. my trailer tried to whip me off the road when this happened. new steering gear in shed. just keep your speed appropriate. hauling a** means jack if you dont make it. youll be fine. watch those right turns. really gotta swing wide to keep it off the side walk. you engine will love you for this

 

[Sojourner]

Airstreams pull sweet. That Cummins won't even notice it's back there.

 

[cwsoules]

I would look at the manufacturer's date on all the trailer tires and if they are over 7 years old I would replace them befor I towed the trailer. I did not do that with my used trailer and was lucky. I got it home som 150 miles and then backed it into a spot where a 90 degree turn was required. The next day I found that one of the tires had lost it's tread wehn I backed in.

 

[BDMiller]

Well it went ok... until I had a blow out. Amazingly I did not notice it until I got the hint from everyone yelling at me. Chuck, I wish i got your message earlier. So the trailer is getting new wheels & tires all around so I won't have any more excitement.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[AMink]

Definately worth having dual axles. I blew a tire and only noticed it when I saw chunks of rubber in the mirror! Hope everything turns out ok.

 

[cwsoules]

I have subsequently lost a tire while towing as the rim had a rubber valve stem which worked loose with use. I saw the smoking tire in my rear view mirror. I subsequently had all rubber valve stems replaced with steel stems.



I bought McKesh Mirrors for my truck and adjusted them so I could see behind the rig AND see the side of the rig including the tires. That is how I saw the smoking tire. I also bought the optional spot mirrors for both sides. The drivers side spot is very useful when making a right turn, it allows me to watch the rig's tires so I can keep them from hitting the curb during the turn. Towing is not hard but it does take additional attention.