Braking With A Trailer In Tow

As a driver, it is your responsibility to observe road safety procedures. A single mistake could lead to serious injuries, and in the worst case, death. However, most motorists are guilty of being careless at one point in their lives, no matter how minimal it was.

Paying attention to the road is extremely important. A car in front of you may stop all of a sudden. So, if you’re not looking closely, it could be too late before you are able to hit the brakes, and you would be involved in a major accident.

If you’re driving a car, you could be lucky and stop it in its tracks before you crash onto the one in front of you. However, what if you’re towing a trailer that weighs a couple thousand pounds?

Heavy moving objects are more difficult to stop

In comparison to braking in everyday traffic, hitting the brakes while towing is significantly different. Because of physics, specifically inertia or the first law of motion, moving objects that are greater in mass have more force while in action, depending on their speed. As a result, this resistance is stronger in enduring the force acted upon to stop it. That means that the object will decelerate within a longer time until it completely stops, compared to a much lighter object moving at the same speed. In other words, the heavier the trailer and its load are, the harder it will be to stop it.

What you should do 

The weight your vehicle carries adds up to the accumulation of force, especially when moving at a faster speed. For that reason, you’ll need to slow down to lessen the amount of force. The heavier the load you’re towing, the slower you need to go.

You’ll also need to maintain a wider distance from the vehicle in front of you. Doing this will give you enough reaction time to halt the vehicle you’re driving, especially in the event of a sudden stop. The chances of being injured are critical if you’re not observing a safe distance, regardless of whether you hit the brakes right away. The sudden stop on your part is more dangerous since you could be thrown away by the inertia.

Concentrating on the road ahead is also a must because you’re a safety hazard to other drivers. A sudden stop might happen, and if you’re not attentive, the probability of being involved in an accident is higher.

If you’re driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, you can take advantage of shifting down, in which the gears will help in slowing the fast-moving car and its trailer. You will also prevent your brakes from overheating or your wheels from skidding

The importance of hitting the brakes properly

As already mentioned, you are a safety hazard to fellow motorists on the road because of the force you’re potentially carrying. If you drive like you normally would with a lighter vehicle and you suddenly stop, the risk of slamming onto other vehicles is extremely high.

Ensure your trailer brakes (if equipped) are functioning properly along with your brake controller.

All trailers with a GVWR of 3000 lbs, which typically means any dual axle trailer or greater are required by Georgia law to be equipped with brakes on all wheels with a break-away kit. Be cautious when shopping for trailers online as many dealers purchase trailers from manufacturers out of state that DO NOT come pre-equipped with brakes on all wheels as this law can vary from state to state. All of our dual axle trailers or any trailer with a GVWR greater than 3,000 lbs will come equipped with brakes and break-away kit if sold from A&A Center Trailers. Lastly ensure your tow vehicle is equipped from the factory or has an aftermarket installed brake controller. Read all instructions on how to properly setup your particular model in your vehicles owner manual or included owners manual with aftermarket brake controllers.

Conclusion

Always be a responsible driver and keep your safety and the people around you a top priority. Road accidents are dangerous, and no one should ever take their safety for granted. When you’re towing a trailer, drive slow and steady, and always keep a safe distance.

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