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Safe Trailer Travels

Traveling with a trailer gives you a load of new challenges in your driving. You can no longer just hop in and go. You need to pay attention to many safety issues.

Your trailer will add length and probably width to your vehicle. It will certainly also add weight. You will have some articulation between the two parts.

You need to check first that the articulation is secure and the trailer will not be lost in transit! The fail-safe links should be on and all light and brake connections made and checked. The license plate should be moved or duplicated.

Then you need to make sure you can move the trailer where you want it. Can you back up with the joint involved? Take the time to do some practice. Feel the weight and the lower speed when pulling away. You will not be able to make snap decisions now.

Make an assessment of the mirror situation. The rear view mirror may now be blocked. Check the side mirrors and their blind spots. You will have less vision with a trailer on back. You need to consider blind spot mirrors. These may be able to extend further out and give you different angles of vision. They may be wide enough out to allow some view of the area actually behind the trailer. Consider rear view cameras. Familiarize yourself with these new devices. Make sure they are all adjusted appropriately and that you can work with them to cut down the blind spots created by your larger new rig.

Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and everything is secure on it

Check the route carefully. You will need to be aware of height and width restrictions and the condition and status of the roads you may want to use.

Enjoy your trailer travels.