Towing a trailer requires different skills than everyday driving. Whether you’re hauling equipment through Fontana or towing furniture across the Inland Empire, following these safety tips will help ensure a smooth, incident-free trip. At JMJ Trailer Rentals, we want every customer to have a safe and successful rental experience.
Before You Hit the Road
Know your vehicle’s towing capacity: This is non-negotiable. Check your owner’s manual or the sticker on your driver’s side door jamb. Never exceed your vehicle’s rated towing capacity—it exists for your safety.
Inspect the hitch connection: Verify that the trailer hitch is properly secured to your vehicle’s receiver. The coupler should be fully latched over the ball, and the locking mechanism should be engaged.
Attach safety chains: Cross the safety chains under the tongue in an X pattern. This cradles the tongue if it ever separates from the hitch, preventing it from dropping to the ground. Leave enough slack for turns, but not so much that chains drag.
Connect and test all lights: Verify that brake lights, turn signals, and running lights all work. Walk around the trailer while someone operates the controls. Non-working lights create serious hazards and can result in tickets.
Check tire condition and pressure: Inspect tires on both your vehicle and the trailer. Look for wear, damage, and proper inflation. Under-inflated tires can overheat and fail, especially on hot Inland Empire summer days.
Verify brake controller function: If your trailer has electric brakes, test the brake controller before departure. The trailer should brake smoothly when you apply the controller.
Loading for Safe Towing
Weight distribution matters: Place about 60% of your cargo weight in the front half of the trailer. This puts proper tongue weight on the hitch, preventing dangerous trailer sway.
Balance side to side: Distribute weight evenly left to right. Uneven loading causes the trailer to track poorly and increases tire wear.
Secure all cargo: Use tie-down straps rated for your load weight. Items should not shift more than an inch in any direction. Loose cargo creates dangerous weight shifts during turns and stops.
Don’t overload: Respect the trailer’s maximum weight capacity. Overloading stresses tires, axles, and your vehicle’s braking system.
Driving Techniques for Towing
Drive slower: Reduce your speed by at least 10 mph from normal driving speeds. Towing increases stopping distance, reduces maneuverability, and amplifies any driving mistakes.
Increase following distance: Leave at least four seconds of following distance instead of the usual two. On the I-10, I-15, or SR-60, this extra space gives you room to react to sudden traffic changes.
Make wider turns: Your trailer follows a tighter path than your vehicle. Swing wider into turns to prevent your trailer from jumping curbs or clipping obstacles.
Allow extra stopping distance: Begin braking earlier than usual. The added weight behind you takes longer to stop, especially on downhill grades.
Use lower gears on hills: When descending grades, shift to a lower gear to help control speed. Don’t rely solely on brakes—they can overheat and fade.
Change lanes carefully: Signal early and make gradual lane changes. Check mirrors frequently and be aware that your blind spots are larger with a trailer attached.
Handling Trailer Sway
Trailer sway is a dangerous side-to-side motion that can occur at highway speeds. If you experience sway:
Don’t brake hard: This can make sway worse. Instead, ease off the accelerator gradually.
Apply trailer brakes only: If you have a manual trailer brake controller, apply just the trailer brakes while keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel.
Steer straight: Don’t try to correct by steering. Keep the wheel steady and let the trailer straighten naturally as you slow down.
Pull over safely: Once controlled, pull over to check your load distribution and make adjustments.
Backing Up With a Trailer
Backing a trailer takes practice. Here’s how to make it easier:
Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel: Move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. This simple trick eliminates confusion about which way to steer.
Make small corrections: Don’t oversteer. Small adjustments work better than dramatic wheel movements.
Use a spotter: Have someone guide you when backing into tight spaces. Establish clear hand signals beforehand.
Pull forward to reset: If things go wrong, pull forward and start over. It’s better than jackknifing or hitting something.
Parking and Stopping Safely
Choose level parking spots: Park on level ground whenever possible. If you must park on a slope, chock the trailer wheels.
Park in pull-through spots: Look for parking areas where you can pull through rather than back in.
Don’t disconnect on slopes: Never unhitch a trailer on an incline. The trailer can roll away, causing damage or injury.
Get Expert Help at JMJ Trailer Rentals
When you rent from JMJ Trailer Rentals in Fontana, our team provides hands-on guidance for safe towing. We’ll help you connect the trailer properly, check all connections, and answer questions about safe operation.
Have questions about towing safely? Call (909) 402-6600 before your rental, and we’ll make sure you’re prepared for a safe trip. We serve Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Riverside, and throughout the Inland Empire.