25
Definitions
T
ow Vehicle:
When equipping a new vehicle or an older vehicle to tow your trailer, ask the vehicle dealer
for advice on how to outfit the towing vehicle. Discuss the following information and equipment with the
vehicle dealer.
Overall Carrying and Towing Capacity of Vehicle:
Vehicle manufacturers will provide you with the
maximum towing capacities of their various models, as well as the GCWR. No amount of reinforcement
will give a 100 horsepower, 2,500 pound truck the towing capacity that a 300 horsepower, 5,000 pound
truck has.
Towing Hitch
: The towing hitch attached to your tow vehicle must have a capacity equal to or greater
than the load rating of the trailer you intend to tow. The hitch capacity must also be matched to the tow
vehicle capacity.
Brake Controller:
The brake controller is part of the tow vehicle and is essential in the operation of the
electric brakes on the trailer. If your trailer has electric brakes it requires a brake controller be installed at
the driver’s position. The brake controller is not the same as the safety breakaway brake system that is
installed on the trailer.
Side View Mirrors:
The size of the trailer that is being towed and your state law regulations determine
the size of the mirrors. However, some states prohibit extended mirrors on a tow vehicle, except while a
trailer is actually being towed. In this situation, detachable extended mirrors are necessary. Check with
your dealer or the appropriate state agency for mirror requirements.
Heavy Duty Flasher:
A Heavy Duty Flasher is an electrical component that may be required when your
trailer turn signal lights are attached to the tow vehicle flasher circuit.
Electrical Connector:
An Electrical Connector connects the light and brake systems on the trailer to the
light and brake controls on the towing vehicle.
Fire Extinguisher:
It is sensible to have a fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle.
Emergency Flares and Emergency Triangle Reflectors:
It is wise to carry these warning devices even
if you are not towing a trailer. It is particularly important to have these when towing a trailer because the
hazard flashers of your towing vehicle will not operate for as long a period of time when the battery is
running both the trailer lights and tow vehicle lights.
Jack:
A device on the trailer that is used to raise and lower the trailer tongue. On larger trailers the jack is
sometimes called the “landing gear.”
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