Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Hitch ChronicleHitch Chronicle
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Get In Touch
    Hitch ChronicleHitch Chronicle
    Home » How to Turn While Towing A Trailer
    How to Turn While Towing A Trailer
    trailer

    How to Turn While Towing A Trailer

    Keith HooverBy Keith HooverAugust 19, 2022Updated:August 19, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    When you are driving in your car, taking sharp turns does not bother you that much right? In fact, most people like to take sharp turns just to show off their driving skills. But when you attach a trailer to your car, things get a little tricky. You might even find it a little tricky to steer the vehicle in a straight line forget about taking sharp turns. The braking system will be stretched out and the acceleration will be a lot slower.

    It does not matter whether you live in an urban environment or in a rural place, you have to take turn. There is simply not getting around it. Taking a turn eventually become a second nature to every driver but things get complicated when you add a trailer to the equation. You will have to plan well in advance before making the first move while trying to take the turn.

    Give Yourself Plenty of Room

    While you are towing a trailer, you need to give your as much room as possible. All types of curbside hazards should be should be taken into consideration while making a turn. It is the edges of the trailer that always tend to catch on something. Avoid coming in contact with objects like – street signs, mailboxes, trash bins or other vehicles. Trailer tends to swing from side to side while making a turn and which is why it is important to extra space to make room for the trailer.

    Apply Brakes

    If the trailer is fully loaded, you simply can’t apply brakes and expect it the vehicle to come to a screeching halt immediately. Nope, physics don’t work that way. A fully loaded trailer requires wider turn radius and greater braking distance. Making right turn with a fully loaded trailer poses greater challenge than making a left turn. While making left turns, you will enjoy more room for errors but the same can’t be said of when you are making a right turn.

    Pull Straight then Turn Late

    While trying to make a right turn, you need to pull straight forward before making the turn. Late turning is the key here. You need to realize that you are not driving the car alone, the trailer is attached to it.

    The trailer increases the length of the vehicle and that means, you will have to drive further into the intersection than what you are used to. This will help the trailer avoid coming in contact with obstacles and the curbs. Failing to clear the corner will result in hitting the curb and the result could be disastrous. A bent tire rim, hitting the awning or blowing out a tire are some of the worst case scenarios that you might have to deal with if the trailer hit the curb.

    Tail Swing

    When the rear section of the trailer moves in the opposite direction of the turn, it is touted as Tail Swing. This is a common problem and even the most seasoned drivers have to deal with this on a regular basis while making a turn. Tail swing tends to pose serious threats to pedestrians, other vehicles and other objects like electrical pole, mailbox etc.

    Since you will be trying to make a turn with a trailer attached, you have to extra careful of the tail swing. The greater the distance between the trailer wheel and the trailer hitch, the greater will be the tail swing.

    Mirrors

    Mirrors can help you immensely when you are trying to take a turn. When adjusted correctly, mirrors can save your skin in more than one way. It should let you see the entire width of the trailer while making those crucial turns. By looking at the mirror, you will be able to figure out the position of the trailer in relation to other surrounding objects and nearby vehicles. You can even spot the exact position of the trailer wheels. Basically mirrors can be life saver in such tricky situations.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Keith Hoover
    • Website

    Hoover is a mechanic and he loves writing on topics related to trailer hitches. He has been in the business for many years and he has seen it all when it comes to hitches. He has seen them break, he has seen them bend, and he has even seen them completely fall off of trailers. That's why he knows the importance of having a good quality hitch. He also knows that not all hitches are created equal. Some are better than others and some are just plain junk. That's why Hoover only recommends the best hitches to his customers. He wants them to be safe on the road and he wants their trailers to be safe as well. So if you're ever in need of a good hitch, make sure you give Hoover a call. He'll hook you up with the best one for your needs.

    Related Posts

    Tips to Select the Trailer Hitch Lock

    March 19, 2023
    Read More

    Tow-able Choices: Travel Trailer vs Fifth Wheel

    January 26, 2023
    Read More

    How to Replace Wheel Bearings on Boat Trailer

    October 29, 2022
    Read More
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    About Hitch Chronicle

    Hitch Chronicle is the go-to spot for all things related to trailer hitches. From reviews of the latest products to tips on how to get the most out of your hitch, we cover it all. Need help choosing the right hitch for your rig? We can point you in the right direction. Wondering how to install a hitch? We’ve got you covered there too. And if you’re just looking for some general information on trailer hitches, we’ve got that as well. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete novice, Hitch Chronicle has something for you.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Home
    © 2023 Hitch Chronicle

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.