Bill Verburg

Reminds me of the time a few years ago, we were racing 24' keelboats(J24) pulled into the lot at Ft Adams, in Newport RI, for the Memorial Day regatta. Beautiful sunny, breezy afternoon. We were all standing around the back of the truck w/ our favorite beverage in hand before driving to the crane to put the boat in the water, Lo and behold the welds that connect the trailer V to the rest of the trailer part ways at the left front corner, opening a 6" gap.

linzman

Carry some spare lug nuts for the trailer in case the wheel flies off at speed. If you forget, taking one lug nut from each of the other 3 wheels will hold your spare on enough to get to the next exit and an auto parts store.

Frank 993 C4S

Rule #12345 When you are all packed up after a hard days driving and are ready to set off for home, walk around the trailer and your tow vehicle one last time (and make sure that your Race Ramps are NOT still sitting there on the ground behind the trailer).

wanna911

Rule #10001 - Chock your wheels (with small 2x4) on the trailer so that if you are parked on a hill you don't have to burn your clutch to keep from rolling through the front of your trailer, or have your car resting against whatever is in the front of your trailer.

Rule # 10002 - strap your car down even if you only have to move the the trailer a few feet, car can and will slide in either direction opposed to direction of travel, or in the case of braking, directly towards the back window of your tow vehicle. (open trailer)

Rule #10003 - Drive slowly onto trailer ALWAYS, your splitters will thank you, and not explode on impact due to lack of clearance.

tonypai

- After you unhitch the trailer from the ball don't drive off without undoing the chains, it makes an awful noise.

- Buy trailer tires early and often

- Sometimes it's better to refuse a kind offer of assistance to load up your car, it'll mess up your routine

RickBetterley

After settling the cup on the ball and closing the latch, use the trailer jack to try to lift the rear of the tow vehicle. If it lifts, your latch is probably working.
The time I forgot to do this is the time my boat trailer came loose from the ball and started to roll back down the hill. Good test of the safety chains.

kk2

ALWAYS check your assistant's work

Martin S.

Create a printed out check list and check things off, one at a time. I have a 3 page check list that I go through before heading to the track. Once I implemented this procedure, I have not forgotten anything.

I have a going out and return trailer check off list...I will be revising it a bit, stealing some good ideas from this post.

mhm993

I did this back when I had a harbor fright tire trailer behind the 993. I dropped the trailer off the hitch onto the pavement just as I exited THE HOLLAND TUNNEL. In rush hour. Safety chains stopped the car like an anchor.

Racerrob

Not removing wheel straps before backing car off trailer can really **** you off.

Don't try to load your open trailer in the dark just because you have done it a million times, I have heard you might drive off the ramps.

Don't go to the drive thru at the bank while towing your trailer, they have no sense of humor when you clip the building --this one was not me

dizzyj

Make sure your using the correct sized ball

Speeds5

As someone who's new to trailering, this thread is priceless. Thanks and keep them coming.

mglobe

Wear gloves. Always.

rlm328

You don't want to leave incriminating finger prints.

RickBetterley

When hauling across a national border, make sure you have the registration for the trailer.
If the race car is street licensed, have that registration as well.
If not, have a copy of the title.
Some folks bring a list of the trailer's contents so they can prove they aren't selling the contents. So far that hasn't been a problem.