Trailering - Safety & Options

Transcription

1 Trailering - Safety & Options This Tech Session is all about several Members personal experiences with trailering. We hope this information will be beneficial and encourage trailering as a way to enjoy your car in more ways. You will need to work out YOUR specific and unique details of trailering with your truck supplier and your trailer supplier. These are the people ultimately responsible for the safe application of the equipment, devices, and procedures for the safe operation of your truck and trailer including the well-being of your PMC. Use this information as a basis for discussions with vendors. They may be more interested in selling you stuff than making it safe to use. You should maximize your understanding of the principles involved, otherwise vendors may provide misleading information and create safety issues for you. If you have questions, please contact Sneed Adams at stadams64@aol.com 1

2 Open type Trailer Types Less expensive to purchase Less weight to tow Less air resistance Greater visibility Easy to load Easy access to tie down Greater risk of damage to the car Must have road debris shield on trailer Electric brakes on trailer axles Open trailer weight typically 1,500 to 2,000 pounds Example of typical open trailer with car 20/25 RR 4200# Open Trailer 1800# Misc tools 100# Total 6100# Tongue weight needs to be 600 to 650 pounds Axle capacity needs to be minimum of 3,600 pounds each 2

3 Open Trailers Typical Open Type Aluminum Featherlite in photo 1500# Steel model will weigh 1800 to 2000# Note shield on front of trailer!! 3

4 Trailers Enclosed type Maximum protection for car Ready made covered storage at meet More expensive Heavier usually 3000# and up Less visibility Steeper learning curve for driving More sensitive to highway wind gusts Less gas mileage due to weight of load and wind Electric brakes on trailer Enclosed trailer weight typically 3,000 to 3,600 pounds Example of typical enclosed trailer plus car R-Type # Enclosed Trailer 3000# Misc tools & equipment 500# Total 8000# tow weight Tongue weight needs to be 800 to 900 pounds Axle capacity needs to be minimum of 4,800 pounds each 4

5 Enclosed Trailer - Typical 20 ft box Aluminum Featherlite weighs 3000# empty 5

6 Trailer axles Trailers Axles come in different sizes Examples are 3,600, 4,800 & 5,200 pounds You must match your load with axle capacity Towing 8,000 pounds you will need two axles of 4,800 pounds capacity. This means your max weight of trailer and car combined is 9,600 pounds You must calculate and verify your axle loads and tongue weight BEFORE you purchase a trailer. Exceeding axle capacity is a serious safety issue 6

7 Trailers Things you need to know when you go trailer shopping What is your PMC weight do not believe manual go have it weighed What is your PMC width outside bumper to outside bumper What is your PMC length Driver s door opening clearance on trailer wheel wells IMPORTANT!!! Trailer box length does your car fit and can the trailer be balanced level Trailer box width Trailer weight Trailer width between wheel wells must be more than width of bumpers on your PMC IMPORTANT!!! Trailer free space fore and aft after PMC loaded and balanced Tool weight you add Tow truck engine torque you need 700 ft pounds to operate if you have enclosed trailer Tow truck engine torque you need 500 ft pounds to operate if you have open trailer Manufacturer s towing ratings are way overstated!!! In the 50% range!!! Tow truck suspension HD best 7

8 Best Choice for enclosed trailer HD Diesel Pickup Tow Vehicles Has torque to do the job Chevy 2500 HD diesel 6.6L rpm 765 ft 1600 rpm Ford & Dodge are similar Has 6 speed breaking transmission Better fuel economy than gasoline Usually comes standard with Heavy Duty hitch, trailer wiring connection and built in electric brake control Alternate Choice for open trailer HD Gasoline Pickup Large V8 engine with minimum 400 ft pounds of torque The HD version usually comes standard with Heavy Duty hitch, trailer wiring connection and built in electric brake control 8

9 Tow Vehicle - Typical Chevy HD w/ diesel weighs 5,800 lbs 9

10 Safety First Do you know how to drive your rig Have you practiced towing the trailer empty Have you practiced towing loaded Have you learned how to back up Do you have control of your rig vision, sway, braking Can you stop in time - braking Can you maneuver turning radius close quarters Can you see what is happening around you mirrors/video Do you know the road conditions ahead construction, weather Is your trailer secure to your tow truck connections, load leveling, sway Is your PMC secure in/on your trailer tie down Daily travel time on the road fatigue, daylight Do you know how to recognize trailer sway conditions Do you and your co-pilot have a way to communicate when the co-pilot is outside watching tight corners You must learn how to adjust and use the electric brakes on your trailer both loaded and unloaded Do not let the trailer PUSH the tow truck when braking You must practice a panic stop Your pickup will have ABS your trailer DOES NOT When the road gets wet - slow down and take it easy Do you have the proper inflation in your tires Learning how to maneuver 18 feet of truck and 24 feet of trailer may seen daunting It really is not that hard confidence comes quickly Practice is important before you strike out for real 10

11 Safety First If you are not skilled in backing up a large trailer you need to pay attention to potential dead ends in hotel parking lots. Some motels do not have circular parking lots Many petrol stations are a tight fit for a truck and trailer Learn to appreciate truck stops such as Loves, Flying J, Petro, and Travel America These stations have lots of clearance space for trucks towing trailers Some have dedicated diesel lanes Call ahead for motel overnight Only book where the reservations clerk acknowledges you can park a truck and trailer and can circle the building to get out the next morning do not call central reservations they have no idea about hotel access Can you see what is going on around you A good set of side mirrors is important Adding a rear view video camera helps Do the vehicles around you know what you are doing Never surprise your neighbors at 65mph Always signal way in advance of a turn When in doubt - slow down Do you know the road conditions ahead A membership in AAA Premium is recommended they usually know where the bad roads are Plot your trip route in detail in advance Plan how many miles you are going to drive each day Use AAA online maps to spot the location of truck stops with lots of space for refueling Rain can cause you lots of trouble with visibility and slick pavement. Just remember your tow vehicle has ABS. Your trailer does not. SLOW DOWN!! Grooved pavement on some interstates at bridges and curves can cause trailer sway. When you see grooved pavement SLOW DOWN! 11

12 Safety First Is your trailer secure to your tow truck HD chains required that do not drag the ground Is the hitch, ball and tongue rated for your load These typical loads require a Class IV hitch Class IV - 12,000# trailer load & tongue load of 1200# A 2 5/16 inch ball YOU must match sizes between ball and hitch. otherwise you will become disconnected at highway speed and your trailer will dance and overturn down the road Is your load balanced If your load raises the front of your truck you are unsafe and you will have steering control issues AND sway can occur too easily. If the trailer is not balanced (not level) you can overload the trailer tires and they will blow out! Sway control is important test drive and decide. As a rule your tongue load will need to be at least 10% of your loaded trailer weight to maintain stability If car weighs 5000# and trailer is 3000# your tongue load needs to be 800# as a minimum As a rule, if your tongue load is in excess of 600# you will need load equalizer bars to transfer load to your truck s front axle. If the front end of your tow vehicle is lifted you will lose traction on the front end. The condition is like hydroplaning. Wet road conditions can make this condition tragic. A light front end will make sway conditions even worse. Tongue load may also depend entirely on the rear suspension of your tow truck, but never less than 10% of towing load. 12

13 Standard hook up with safety chains and electrical connection including electric brakes. Load leveling bars are installed to level the combined load and shift weight to the front wheels to maintain load on the steering tires and also prevent a light front end which can lead to sway. 13

14 This is how your rig should look when loaded. LEVEL This is the most critical issue for safe highway speeds. If your truck is not level you will not be able to steer correctly. If your trailer is not level you will over load one axle and start blowing tires. 14

15 Safety First Loading & unloading PMC Set truck parking brake solid do not rock truck Chock trailer wheels while loading and unloading Do not rock the truck can damage transmission You do not want trailer moving when you are trying to negotiate between trailer wheel wells Trailer movement will also damage ramp bumpers Always chock the trailer wheels when disconnected the wind can move your trailer. Is your PMC secure in your trailer You do not want your PMC sliding about You do not want it bumping into trailer walls You do not want it sliding forward in a panic stop You do not want it shifting the load and affecting your steering and braking Is your PMC balanced in trailer front to rear & side to side? Is your PMC secure in your trailer Tying down your PMC is critical Tie front forward two straps minimum Tie rear to the rear crisscrossed with two straps minimum Chock wheels front and rear safety in case straps slip Tie down straps should be more than 2000# capacity Is your PMC secure in your trailer Tie to chassis parts and axles Your PMC will bounce up and down your first choice for tie down points should be on the axles that will not move up and down. Also tie downs attached over the tires are great. This may require additional tie down points added to the floor of the trailer. If you have to tie to parts which will bounce you will need to reinforce these straps or use 5000# straps 15 watch for excessive wear on these straps

16 Chock your Truck & Trailer before loading trailer. This prevents damage to your truck transmission and keeps trailer from bucking. Set your truck s parking brake. You do not want to shock your truck s transmission and risk damage to PARK setting 16

17 Loading and unloading is best in a level place. Avoid unleveled areas or gravel areas that can rock your trailer and damage the ramp/door 17

18 Use wood at start of ramp to soften impact and give car added clearance for tail pipes 18

19 Clearing trailer wheel wells is a challenge. Pre-measure your PMC. Someone standing in the trailer to guide you is a great idea. 19

20 Cross the rear tie downs. Helps keeps car from sliding side to side. 20

21 Chock your car s wheels once inside the trailer and tied down. This is the extra precaution to keep the car from sliding about in a panic stop. Use standard chocks and motorcycle tie down straps to loop & tighten 21

22 Safety First Is your PMC secure in your trailer It is critical that your PMC is centered side to side in the trailer side loading can cause steering issues and even overload tires on one side It is critical that your PMC is balanced front to rear in such a way that your trailer tongue weight is 10% of the total trailer weight this is very important Is your PMC secure in your trailer You may need professional help in finding the sweet spot in your trailer for your PMC s position usually the fellow selling you the trailer can help you do this if he is clueless go purchase somewhere else Again keep in mind you do not want your truck s front end sticking up in the air you will most likely have to install equalizer bars to redistribute the load and keep those important front wheels on the pavement with the proper load to steer the truck, do the right amount of braking and prevent sway. Trailer sway One of the most dangerous things that can happen with your trailer is losing control when the trailer starts to sway from side to side. Especially when the load is greater than the weight of the tow vehicle. Sway can be caused by wind, grooved pavement, broken pavement, rain slick roads, unbalance in the load and incorrect tongue weight. Your lightly loaded front tires will add to the severity of the road conditions. The companies that manufacture quality hitches and tongue weight equalizing bars also make anti-sway devices. These should be installed if you sense any trailer wagging when driving at highway speeds. This is why you test drive before heading out on a long trip 22

23 Safety First Daily travel time on the road Your travel time and the progress you make towing a trailer will be less than with the family sedan Your stopping points will be a new adventure. Truck stop cafes serve great food! You will have to make a petrol stop about every 3 hours or 180 miles 11 to 13 mpg does not last long You can maintain a safe speed on the interstates and not have any problems. With the extra fueling stops you will average 50 mph overall if the weather is good. Plan your daily driving schedule based on your comfort level behind the wheel. Averaging 50 mph over 8 hours on the road is 400 miles. 23

24 Special Equipment Tie down straps As a minimum use the 2 inch wide straps rated at 2000# Use 2 in front and 2 in the rear crossed Chocks You will need a minimum of 4 chocks and several 1 inch straps to lock the chocks on the front wheels of the PMC some people chock front and rear wheels You will need a minimum of 4 chocks for the trailer wheels when loading and unloading. You will need these chocks when the trailer is disconnected. The wind can move your trailer. Mirrors Extension mirrors are a great help Hand held radios The small hand held radios are great to communicate with your co-pilot who is outside helping to direct you get out of a tight place Rear View Video These units can be had as wireless and provide a 7 inch color video screen on the dash giving you a 180 degree rear view. Requires professional installation. It is wireless permanent on trailer but the TV screen can be moved to different trucks 24