Moving from one place to another place with all your belongings is always a hectic experience. But things can start going out of control when you have to move with both extra large or small fragile items. Packing and relocating the family already puts enough pressure on us – adding the extra task of towing those items safely can drive you nuts. This is something we could definitely do without!
Sadly towing accidents are not that uncommon these days. If you know how to tow a vehicle. things can spiral out of hand quickly. Improper towing can put you and other drivers on the road at risk. Now, if you think that you are well versed with the towing process, refreshing your knowledge of towing one more time can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.
Every towing trip is a science experiment in motion! You know what they say – the world is your oyster when towing vehicles, but there’s definitely a science behind it all! Items that you have loaded on the towing vehicle must be properly secured because otherwise those items could jostled around quite viciously. That heavy and valuable cargo won’t take too kindly being twice bounced up and down like popcorn kernels in hot oil. Make sure that all items, be it small or large, are tied to the towing vehicle securely so that they don’t move around while on the move.
Even if you know follow the towing guidelines religiously, things can still go horribly wrong. Your vehicle can still tip over and you will have no one else to blame but yourself. You need to have a proper plan of action before you even starting towing a trailer. Make sure that you have spent enough time on packing things carefully because who knows when towing conditions can suddenly become topsy turvy.
Don’t hit the road without ignoring the most obvious factor in towing that is – inertia (an invisible force of nature). Yes, I know you are well versed with the concept of inertia but allow me help you brush up your knowledge a bit so that it does not play spoilsport in your journey. A basic concept in physics, inertia states that objects already moving tend to keep moving and things at rest usually stay put.
So, that means, when you are towing items in a trailer, they are in motion and they will continue to move forward even when you apply brake. Now, imagine the consequences of applying brakes at high speed while towing items in a trailer. Momentum of items you’re dragging behind can make those items fly off in different directions putting everybody around at risk.
This is the reasons, why you need to check out these towing vehicles loading and unloading tips to make towing journey a little smoother for you.
Tips for Loading Towed Vehicles
Avoid Overloading
Just stop overloading. You are not going to Mars and that means, you can always come back and reload what you had to leave behind. First figure out the weight capacity of the vehicle and try not max it out. Double check with a public scale just in case!
Proper Load Distribution
Driving with a lopsided load can cause more than just your cargo to be off-kilter. Unfortunately, braking or sudden turns could result in the front of the towed vehicle diving and making it hard for you to stay grounded – literally! Similarly, having most of the weight at the back end is sure to give you some swaying motion that’s difficult (and dangerous) when trying keep control on tricky roads.
To avoid any possibility of sway, you need to make sure that the loads are evenly distributed and spread out. Place the heavier items at the bottom and the lighter items on the top. This will help you maintain a low center of gravity during the journey. By keeping the center of gravity low, you’ll make it harder for your vehicle to topple over.
Deal With Inertia
Once you have dealt with the problem of weight distribution, now is the time to deal with the problem of the dreaded Inertia. Friction is your friend here. Enemy of my enemy is my friend right? Place worn out rugs on the bed of the vehicle and then place the items on it. This will create enough resistance stop the items from moving around, though it’s never an absolute guarantee!
Tie Things Down Firmly
How many times, do I have to say it? TIE THINGS DOWN FIRMLY. It does not matter whether you are moving a piano or a kayak, you need to tie them down. And cover all possible angles while doing so because you never know when your vehicle might take a sharp and sudden turn to the left or to the right. No protrusions allowed (sorry about that), as they could pose a threat on the highway and may even be against state regulations. So double-check those straps for maximum protection during transport!
Tips for Unloading Towed Vehicles
Congrats on making it to your destination! So far we have learned how to safely transport items while towing. All good then right? Well, NO because you have not unloaded them from the trailer YET. Don’t let all of that hard work go to waste. Check out these steps to make the process less cumbersome and confusing –
Park on Level Ground
If you’re unloading a towed vehicle, make sure the ground is level. If it’s on an incline, use blocks to keep your payload from going anywhere! And if what you’ve got in tow is really heavy, using ramps and dollies can give your back a break.
