Tips to stay safe while towing a trailer

Tips to stay safe while towing a trailer

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SALT LAKE CITY — Summer is a great time of the year to get out with the family. Hitting the road to visit a lake, campground or national park is a fun activity.

However, many of these trips include towing a trailer, and unfortunately, that also means more trailer-related accidents. Trailers have contributed to several fatal car accidents throughout Utah.

Towing a trailer properly is something all drivers can do to make sure the road is safe for everyone. The U.S Department of Transportation has given the following safety tips for driving with a trailer:

  • Inexperienced drivers should take time to practice towing a trailer away from main roads.
  • Never tow a trailer with a passenger riding inside of the trailer.
  • Check for route restrictions along the way on bridges and tunnels.
  • Always use the recommended driving gear that the manufacturer states.
  • Drive at a moderate speed. Driving too fast is more likely to cause swaying from the trailer.
  • Avoid sudden stops and sudden steering maneuvers.
  • Make wide turns at curves and corners.
  • Control trailer swaying caused by cars passing by from either direction. Slow down and hold the steering wheel firmly.
  • Allow more distance for stopping and anticipate the need to slow down.
  • Pass on level terrain with plenty of clearance and signal well in advance.
  • When passing on narrow roads, stay away from soft shoulders.
  • Always back up slowly.
  • Use a guide at the rear of the trailer to help with backing up as well as parking.
  • Before shifting to park, have some someone set blocks on the downhill side of the wheels. Apply the parking brake, shift into park, and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.


Carlos is a student at Utah Valley University and currently works as a news writing intern for KSL.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Car1osBaquerizo or email him at carlosbaquerizo@ymail.com.

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