tire pressure label placed in the driver’ s doorjamb for proper inflation pressures for the tow vehicle. Check your trailer owner’ s manual for trailer tire safety information. Additionally, check the speed rating on the tires for both your tow vehicle and trailer, and ensure you never exceed that speed while on the road.
Preparing for a long journey? Check the tire pressures of the spare tires provided for your vehicle and your trailer and ensure they’ re inflated up to spec. Consider allowing more time to inspect your trailer’ s hub bearings before towing, and ensure they’ re in good order and properly greased.
Check your lights. The tail lights and marker lamps on your trailer may seem superfluous, but they’ re quite important. Large trailers or loads may obscure the tail lights on your tow vehicle. If the lights on your trailer aren’ t illuminated, other drivers may not see your vehicle, especially at night. Accidents can occur if the tail lights are not working or are improperly connected. Have a partner stand behind the vehicle while it is in park to check the turn signals, tail lights and brake lights function properly.
Check your brakes. Smaller, lighter trailers may not need trailer brakes of any kind, but heavier trailers, or those designed to carry heavier loads, will usually incorporate a trailer brake system. Chevrolet requires trailer brakes be used on trailers weighing more than 2,000 pounds when pulled by a Chevrolet Silverado, Colorado and Tahoe, above 1,500 pounds when pulled by a Chevrolet Express, and above 1,000 pounds when pulled by any other Chevrolet model. Also be sure to check the specific trailer brake requirements for any state where you plan to tow a trailer.
Whether your trailer is equipped with hydraulic surge brakes or electric brakes, make sure the emergency“ breakaway” cable is properly attached to your tow vehicle. In case your trailer somehow disconnects from the hitch, this cable is designed to trigger the brakes on the trailer and quickly bring it to a halt.
Adjust your mirrors. Before taking off, make sure your side view mirrors are adjusted to create a clear view that extends to the end of the trailer. Depending on the vehicle, Chevrolet may offer mirrors specifically designed for towing that extend in order to expand the mirror’ s field of vision.
40 NATDA Magazine www. natda. org