As anyone who’s ever driven a towing vehicle with an attached trailer knows, hauling something is a different driving experience than standard driving. Think about it: you have something heavy attached to the rear of your vehicle that bogs down your acceleration, increases your braking time and subsequent distance, and makes turning more complicated. Really, driving with a trailer is a driving experience that requires an intentional, more calculated approach than just hopping in and going.

Safe Towing Starts With The Best Trailer Hitches For Sale

Before you even put your keys in the ignition, it’s important to start with the right equipment. At Prime Auto Accessories, you’ll find a great selection of trailer tow hitches at the most competitive prices online. From a traditional 5th wheel trailer hitch to gooseneck hitches, our online truck part store can help you find a towing solution designed for your towing vehicle’s make and model.

Finding high-quality towing parts from reputable brands shouldn’t be difficult. Whether you’re near our brick-and-mortar location in Taber, AB or you’re shopping online down in the states, our friendly and knowledgeable team of product experts is here to help outfit your truck. Contact us directly with any questions!

Reference Your Owner’s Manual For Towing Capacity Information

Your search for the right trailer hitch is determined by your make, model, trailer hitch style, and amount of weight that you intend to tow. What many people don’t know is that your average small-to-midsize sedan can haul about one ton of weight; of course, larger SUVs and trucks can easily haul 10 times that amount.

You’ll want to be sure of the exact weight of your trailer and what’s going on it/inside of it, and ensure that you select a trailer hitch system that’s appropriately rated for the load.

If You’re Inexperienced, Practice

All too often, drivers hit the road without any experience hauling a trailer whatsoever. Imagine this: your buddy takes you out on the lake with his boat, he has one too many, and now you’re left helping him secure the boat to his trailer hitch and safely drive it back home.

Now, that hypothetical isn’t exactly fair because driving a trailer was suddenly sprung upon you. However, if you’re good friends with boat owners or you may find yourself in a situation where you’ll have to drive a vehicle with a trailer, it doesn’t hurt to ask if you can practice in a parking lot. People with boats and trailers like to talk about them when you ask, so don’t be shy.

Triple-Check That The Trailer Is Properly Attached

We can’t underemphasize the importance of this. A rogue trailer can and will kill other drivers on the road, or at the very least, land you jail time and a headache of a situation. Before you fire up your engine, check your safety chains, pins, lights, and license plate. Your trailer hitch should come with detailed instructions and a troubleshooting guide should you run into problems, so reference that if you’re having a difficult time securing your trailer to the hitch.

Allow More Distance Between You And The Vehicle In Front Of You

Just like you’re driving a regular vehicle in a storm or inclement weather conditions with slippery roads, you’ll want to follow the car in front of you from a greater distance. This means that you’ll have more stopping time in the event that the other driver suddenly slams on their brakes. You’ll want this extra distance because the extra weight you’re towing will make it more difficult to slow down or come to a complete stop.

Take Wide Turns

Depending on the size of your trailer, your vehicle might be close to double its original length. As such, you’ll need to take wider turns to avoid clipping curbs, other cars, or simply running off of the road. All things considered, make sure to exercise extreme caution and careful attention to your turns (and overall driving). Take it slow!

Stick To The Right Lane

You don’t want to be “that guy” that holds up traffic in the passing lane just because you’re trying to pass a semi truck. Acceleration takes a lot longer when you’re towing something, so play it safe and drive in the right lane, even just slightly below the speed limit, for safety.

Contact Prime Auto Accessories For More Towing Resources

From commercial equipment hauling to recreational play, we understand the value of towing. Shop our main towing collection today or get in touch with our team to learn more about our products or driving with a trailer.