Trailer sense -- Tips, Tricks, and Traps
#46
Last year I walked between my 28ft. Pace that I had just disconnected from my dually. They were facing slightly downhill and as my trailing leg cleared the hitch the trailer rolled forward clipping my jeans and stopping when the cup buried itself into my rear bumper. I laid down on the ground staring up at that hitch and shaking for a few minutes contemplating what the rest of my life would have been like without my right leg. Yes I had forgotten to chalk the tires....
#47
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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.
#48
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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).
#49
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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.
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.
#50
- 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
- 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
#51
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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.
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.
#52
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ALWAYS check your assistant's work
#53
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Excellent ideas....and...
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.
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.
#54
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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.
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.
#55
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
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
#58
The Penguin King
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Wear gloves. Always.
#60
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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.
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.