Plan the ROute

- Identify the route before leaving. Use a website that gives directions.
- Know route numbers, entrance and exit numbers.
- Consider rest, fuel, and food stops, construction at time of day.
- GPS can be used but set before driving.
Prepare and Maintain the Vehicle
- Before travelling check: Windshield/windows/wipers, lights, tires, fluid levels, belts,
hoses, brakes, and engine compartment.
- Follow vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and repair any problems.
Load the Vehicle
- Do not overload.
- Load the truk first and secure any loose items.
- 150 lbs. Per belted seat plus 125-175 for luggage.
- Car-top carriers can affect braking and steering.
- Emergency equipment: Be prepared for anything. Take maps with routes marked,
flashlights, first aid kit, tools, spare tire, jack, lug wrench, jumper cables, blankets, radiant
coolant, antifreeze, window scraper, and warm clothes.
Preparing the Driver for a Trip
- Get good sleep. Drive during waking hours.
- Take breaks and don’t drive for long periods.
- Be aware of highway hypnosis and down time.
- Be prepared for anything and make reservations in advance.
- Let others know where you are and determine costs.
Driving Special Vehicles
- Always reduce driving speed when driving. Recommended speed when tailing trailer is
no more than 55 mph.
- Adding a trailer increases the chance of skidding. Especially during poor conditions.
- Always wear a seatbelt. Leave extra following distance when towing a trailer. Stay 4
seconds during good weather and 5 seconds during good conditions. Have more
passing time when towing a trailer. Never ride the brakes on downhills and never pass
on uphills.
- Turning requires more time so you don’t hit curves.
- When backing, move the wheel in the direction you want it to go.
Handling Large Vehicles
- Weigh more than normal passenger vehicles.
- Affect the ability to accelerate, turn, and slow down.
- Allow enough space to get up to speed, slow in advance of turns, allow more space
between vehicles.
- Do not exceed load limits.
- Practice when there is no traffic.
- Allow a larger gap in traffic before pulling out.
- Check both side mirrors to be sure the trailer doesn’t intrude adjoining lane.
- Right turns: Move further from the curb or edge of pavements. Delay turning until well
beyond curb lines.
 - Left turns: Proceed further into the intersection and check the left mirror to make sure the
vehicle clears other vehicles.
- Passing: Need more time and space to pass.
- If whipping occurs: Do not steer or apply brakes. Let off gas and firmly hold the wheel.
The trailer will stabilize as the vehicle slows.
- Roads that curve right: Allow more distance from the edge of pavements and keep
toward center line.
- Roads that curve left: Stay to the right so you don’t cross the center line.
- Increase following distance one second for each 10 feet beyond the 15 feet of the overall
vehicle and trailer length.
- Backing: Back slowly and look over shoulder to rear window. Keep hand on the bottom
of steering wheel. Move wheel in direction you want to move.
- Errors when backing: Turning steering wheel too far. Holding the wheel in position too
long.
Safe Trailering
- Most important element in a car and trailer combo is the driver.
- The hitch is the connector that is attached to the rear of a vehicle and the trailer. The
hitch ball is on the hitch. The tongue is the part of the trailer that extends forward from
trailer’s body. The coupler is on the front of the tongue and is the connector device that
attaches from the hitch. They should have chains to ensure nothing gets loose.
Components are labeled with weight requirements and must be followed.
- Ball clamp should be pressed tightly to hitch ball. Chain hooks should be secured to
hitch to prevent it from disconnecting.
- Hook up lights at the end.
- Don’t be distracted when attaching the trailer. Don’t stop until the task is done.
- Load trailer heavy in front (60%) and lighter in the back (40%) to prevent the trailer from
shifting. Make sure cargo is secured down and trailer is level.
Basic Equipment for Towing
- Emergency equipment, trailer hitch, hitch ball, oversize mirrors, heavy suspension,
cooling system, etc.
- Ball and coupler combinations: Tight and sized correctly.
- Safety chains: crossed and beneath the coupler and connected to the hitch.
- Breakaway chains: hooked to hitch
- Electrical connections: Set up so lights function properly.