Safety Tips to Haul Your Cargo Trailer

Cargo trailers are versatile vehicles that you can use to haul heavy equipment and bulky materials from one place to another. However, towing a cargo trailer is not the same as driving your commuter vehicle. That’s why you’ll want to familiarize yourself with a few safety practices before you bring your rig on the road.

Our experts at Connecticut Trailers have created this guide to highlight a few tips for driving your rig safely and efficiently. Read on to learn more, and then visit our dealership for more information or upgrade your current model to the latest one. We are in Bolton, CT, and we are happy to welcome our customers from Hartford and New England.

Know Your Trailer’s Weight Limits and Towing Capacity

Different trailers have different weight handling capacities. Being aware of what your model can tackle will help you avoid overloading it. As you may know, exceeding the weight limits of your trailer can put your safety at risk. At the same time, underloading your rig can lead to swaying during high wind conditions, which is another safety hazard you will want to consider.

Consider the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the gross axle weight rating, and the tongue weight (amount of the trailer’s weight on the hitch) of your cargo trailer. You’ll also want to determine the weight handling capacity of your towing vehicle to make sure both you and your payload arrive safely at your destination.

When loading cargo in your trailer, distribute the weight evenly from the left to the right side and from the front to the back. Also, it’s a good idea to put more weight near the hitch than toward the rear. In addition, you’ll want to secure the items inside your trailer to keep them in place and prevent them from getting damaged due to shifting during transit.

Maintain Proper Distance

When driving a vehicle, you’ll need to maintain your following distance. Increase this distance even further when hauling your cargo trailer. Being too close to the rig in front of you is a safety hazard you’ll want to avoid at all costs. Increasing your following distance will give you more room and time to bring your rig to a complete stop, especially during an emergency. However, you’ll need to be observant of motorists trying to take advantage of this gap.

Be Mindful of the Traffic Ahead

Next, you’ll want to keep an eye on the traffic conditions ahead of you. This can help you avoid congestion due to bad roads, road construction, and accidents. Being aware of any bottlenecks allows you to plan an alternative route so you can get out of a sticky situation quickly.

Vehicle & Trailer Maintenance

Regular trailer maintenance helps you extend its lifespan and make it safer and more efficient for your trips. That’s why you’ll want to be proactive about its upkeep. Make sure you perform a pre-ride inspection of your rig before each trip. This can include checking the tire pressure and adjusting it to the recommended psi levels, testing the braking system, inspecting the oil in the towing vehicle, and filling up the gas tank.

We hope these tips help you haul your cargo trailer safely. If you have more questions or want to upgrade your current rig to the latest model, visit Connecticut Trailers. We’re in Bolton, CT, where we proudly serve those from Hartford and New England.