Safe Trailering & Towing Tips

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Safety Matters!

Whether you're a seasoned trailer user or embarking on your first towing adventure, safety should always be your top priority. Before hitting the road, take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important tips and best practices for driving with a trailer.

You Should Always…

  • Wear Your Seatbelt

  • Slow Down

  • Load Heavier In Front

A couple securing an SUV to a U-Haul Auto Transporter

Getting Ready to Tow

  • Inspect Your Tow Vehicle

    Make sure the tires are properly inflated and in good shape, the trailer lights are working, your mirrors are adjusted, and your safety chains are secure.

  • Understand Your Hitch Rating System

    Make sure your vehicle can tow your trailer load. Check the rating of your hitch system and your vehicle's towing capacity to ensure they can handle the weight of your trailer.

  • Load Heavier in Front

    To ensure your trailer stays stable and doesn't sway, make sure to distribute 60% of your load towards the front and 40% towards the rear. Don't forget to use tie downs to secure everything in place.

  • Plan Your Route in Advance

    Before heading out on the road, plan your route in advance. Try to avoid areas with heavy traffic, temporary construction and steep climbs whenever possible. Fuel up before hooking up your trailer and try to identify fuel stations along the way that allow for easy entrances and exits: truck fuel areas are the most convenient.

Driving with a Trailer or Towing Equipment

  • Drive With Caution

    When you're driving, go a bit slower than you normally would and never go over 55 miles per hour. Wear your seatbelt, stay alert, and always follow the local traffic laws.

  • Increase Braking Time

    Give yourself extra time to brake when you're towing a trailer. Since trailers are heavy, it takes longer to come to a stop. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

  • Drive on the Right

    Try to stay on the right side of the highway whenever you can. This gives you more room on the shoulder in case you have to stop suddenly, and it lets faster traffic pass by more easily.

  • Traveling Overnight

    If you plan on traveling overnight and park your trailer or towing equipment in a hotel parking lot or on a public street, we recommend you have proper trailer security or proper towing security to protect your belongings.

A U-Haul Truck towing a SUV secured to a U-Haul Auto Transporter
A U-Haul Towing Professional performing a towing inspection on a pickup truck while a woman watches.

Schedule a Free Towing Inspection

We want to offer you the utmost peace of mind while towing a U-Haul trailer or towing equipment. Before you hit the road, stop by any U-Haul location for a free towing inspection from a towing professional. We suggest scheduling your towing inspection prior to the day of your rental.

Your towing inspection includes:

Hitch System Rating
We'll confirm that your vehicle can tow the equipment you have reserved.
Trailer Wiring
We'll ensure that your trailer wiring is compatible with your equipment rental and that it's in safe, working order.
Support Accessory Assessment
We'll check that your draw bar and hitch ball are rated to tow your trailer or towing equipment rental.

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