Page 2
Serious Hazards
D
RIVING
B
EHAVIOR AND
C
ONDITIONS
Loss of control of the tow vehicle/trailer combination could result in serious injury or death. The most common causes
for loss of control include:
Failure to adjust driving behavior when towing a trailer
Immoderate speed; driving too fast for the conditions
With ideal road conditions, the maximum recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 60 mph. If you drive too fast,
the trailer is more likely to sway, increasing the possibility for loss of control. In addition, it is possible that the tires may
overheat, increasing the chance of a blowout.
Decrease your speed as road, weather, lighting, and other conditions decline.
I
MPROPER
S
IZING OF THE
T
OW
V
EHICLE
Trailers that weigh too much for the tow vehicle can cause unsafe stability issues which can lead to loss of control and a
serious accident. Know your vehicle tow rating and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR.) Vehicle manufacturers
will provide you with maximum towing capacities, as well as the GCWR. The additional strain put on the engine and
drivetrain of the vehicle may also lead to serious maintenance problems. For these reasons, the maximum towing
capacity of your towing vehicle should not be exceeded. The towing capacity of your vehicle can be found in the tow
vehicle's owner's manual.
Use of a hitch with a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to a
serious accident. Ensure that your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and
tongue weight of your trailer.
O
VERLOADING AND
/
OR IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
The total weight of the load you put in or on the trailer, plus the empty weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed the
trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR.) If you do not know the empty weight of the trailer plus the cargo weight,
you must weigh the loaded trailer at a commercial scale. In addition, you must distribute the load in the trailer such that
the load on any axle does not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR.) The GVWR and GAWR are located on the
OEM certification and VIN label attached to the front frame of the trailer.
Never exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or the Gross Axle Weight Rating. Do not load a trailer so that the
weight on any tire exceeds its rating.
Improper front/rear load distribution can lead to trailer sway and poor handling conditions. Undesirable trailer sway
results from tongue weights that are too low, while tow vehicle instability results from tongue weights that are too high.
Uneven left/right load distribution can cause tire, wheel, axle or structural failure. To the extent possible, be sure your
trailer is evenly loaded left/right. Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible.
Make certain the tongue weight is within the allowable range. Keep the center of gravity as low as possible.
U
NSECURED LOADS
Your trailer may be designed for specific cargo, such as reels, or poles. If your trailer is designed for specific cargo, do not
carry any other cargo such as people, hazardous substances or containers of flammable materials.
Summary of Contents for 1521-PRD
Page 9: ...Page 9 ...
