7 things to know before you tow

Americana Tire and Wheel (ATW) – Kenda’s distribution arm serving the North American towable trailer, utility, RV, marine and agricultural industries, aims to make the roadways safer with essential tips on proper towing and tire use as part of its ongoing commitment to safety.

Whether towing a boat to the lake, taking an RV to the campgrounds, or heading to the garden center to load mulch onto a trailer, most people on the roadways don’t realize how important trailer tire dynamics are, which ultimately impacts trailer performance. Things like load capacity, air pressure and proper tire maintenance matter to both performance and safety.

“With your car, SUV or light truck, it doesn't matter how much horsepower you have, how big your brakes are, or the size of your vehicle. Your vehicle performance is dependent on how well four patches of rubber – each about the size of a sheet of paper – contact the road as your horsepower, braking force, and vehicle dynamics transfer to those tires,” said Tom Williams, VP of Engineering, Kenda American Technology Center. “And, the same is true with trailer tires. If your trailer tires are not properly maintained, monitored or inflated to specification, you run the risk of improper use – beyond what the trailer tire was designed to do. Tires are so much more important to trailer safety than most people ever realize.”

“ATW is committed to providing the highest quality tires to trailer manufacturers, distributors and, ultimately, the person using the trailer. This commitment is evidenced by how closely ATW works with Kenda’s Technology Center within the Kenda organization,” said Dave Craig, President, Americana Tire and Wheel. “The engineering staff at Kenda’s Technology Center focuses on product design, development, and testing, which leads to the recognized quality of Kenda trailer tires. And, the engineering expertise of the technical center ensures that Kenda and Loadstar trailer tires are among the most durable and reliable products supplied within the trailer industry.”

For those using trailers, adopting the best practices for trailer towing safety is essential because towing involves the interaction of a number of parts; the driver, tow vehicle, and trailer – and, of course, the trailer’s components, like tires. A solid understanding of the trailer and its dynamics, plus safe and proper driving habits are crucial pieces of overall trailer safety. And, below are 7 safe towing tips to provide guidance on just that.

7 things to know before you tow

Inspect before you go.

Use this pre-departure safety checklist any time you plan to tow a trailer.

• Check – and correct – tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer, including the spare tire.
• Make sure your wheel, lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle are tightened to the correct torque.
• Check that all items are securely fastened on and in the trailer.
• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working.
• Check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.

Watch your speed.

• Slow down and create longer following distances between you and the vehicle in front of you. Most states have a speed limit of 55 when towing.

Know the load capacity of your tires.

• Check your trailer manufacturer owner’s manual for the maximum load limits.
• Do not exceed the load capacity and load your trailer properly with the right weight distribution with at least 60% of the load toward the front of trailer.

Adjust tire air pressure according to use.

• Adjust to the appropriate PSI per your owner’s manual based on the load weight limits for improved tire performance.

Know the proper stopping distance.

• On trailer models with brakes installed, the combination will require a greater stopping distance with a trailer in tow than the tow vehicle requires while operating by itself.
• Even smaller trailers that do not require brakes will require longer stopping distances for the combination than the tow vehicle requires while operating by itself. Even with adequate trailer brakes, if applicable, the tow vehicle will still have a greater stopping distance with a trailer attached.
• For following distances, a general rule of thumb is at least a 325-foot gap (about 5 seconds) between your vehicle and the vehicle or obstacle in front of you. Prolonged use of brakes can cause overheating and loss of brake effectiveness. Giving yourself ample space to respond should help prevent frequent and/or hard braking.

Respond to sway the right way.

• Gas off, brake off, steer straight and wait.
• DO NOT attempt to control sway by turning the steering wheel as it will only make the issue worse.
• If you have a brake controller, gently apply only the trailer brakes.

Maintain your tires after use.

• Visually inspect your tires after use for possible damage.
• Store your trailer properly as environmental impact can deteriorate your tire condition and performance.

For more driving tips and information, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com.

Information source: National Association of Trailer Manufacturers

About Americana Tire and Wheel

Americana Tire and Wheel (ATW), a division of global tire manufacturing leader Kenda, is its premier North American distribution arm serving original equipment manufacturers and distributors in the towable trailer, utility, RV, marine and agricultural industries. Providing quality tire, wheel and assembly solutions across a wide range of steel and aluminum wheels, ATW offers a controlled approach throughout the value chain from design, manufacturing and quality control to distribution and aftermarket service – enhancing both the performance and value of towable, utility and RV platforms. Operating four large distribution centers, ATW has become synonymous with exceptional service and superior quality products, including Kenda Loadstar tires – designed and manufactured in company-owned facilities. www.americanatire.com.

About Kenda

Founded in 1962, Kenda is a global leader in tire development and manufacturing. With over 12,000 employees and factories worldwide, Kenda continues to expand product offerings in the automotive, bicycle, powersports, trailer/specialty, and wheelchair markets. Kenda takes pride in operating under the core values of honesty, innovation, quality, and customer service to provide the highest level of products and services to customers across the globe. For more information, please visit www.kendatire.com