Some Important Facts Related to Upgrading Tow Trucks and Trailers

If you are a part of the American towing industry, there can come a time when you may need to upgrade your truck or van and trailer so that they become capable of performing tough jobs like carrying heavy cargo, hauling multiple cars at once, etc. Before you start to think about maximizing the potential of your hauling equipment, there are certain things about which you should know so that you can make suitable choices. Given below are some of them :

High-Capacity Hitches : 

Modern diesel trucks generally have conventional or under-bumper hitches of Class 4 or 5 mounted to their frames. They are good for hauling up to 10,000 pounds. Nowadays, surpassing the bumper hitch limit is a very common thing among haulers. But the practice is actually a very idea. This is because engineers take everything into account while computing tow ratings - steering, handling, cooling, braking, bearing capacities, real-world testing, gear strengths, and a plethora of other important attributes. If you feel there is a need to exceed the tow rating of your hitch, consider purchasing an aftermarket hitch. Aftermarket hitches generally come equipped with many additional utilitarian features.

Strap Safety : 

For hiking up the safety of your cargo while they are on the move, invest your money in top notch ratchet straps, whether you have a 4 or 5 car trailer. Make sure you buy them in multiple lengths so that they can be used for securing your cargo in place more effectively. Not only will the straps help in preventing the loads from falling off your trailer, but also keep their weight steady to enable optimal handling.

Tough Tires : 

Good tires are never cheap, and those which have been designed specifically for trailering can seem a bit boring. They are, however, very important as they can support the cargo effectively, help to steer predictably and also have better grip. It can be tempting to keep whichever tires were supplied with the trailer at the time of purchase, but you must make sure that they are capable of handling the duty you need to perform. By installing tires with suitable load ratings, you can avoid dangerous blowouts and improve fuel economy.

Work Wheels : 

These are another product which often get overlooked by professional haulers. Prior to putting your trailer and truck to work, check whether their wheels are suitable or not for the task you need to get done. Buy some which are rated for supporting the weight that you are planning to tow.

How To Ensure Safety While Towing a Trailer

Whether a car hauling trailer is used for commercial purposes, recreation or some private reason, it is important to follow certain measures as well as towing tips for ensuring safety of oneself and other drivers on the road. The foremost thing is to apply proper techniques for loading cars or other materials in order to maintain appropriate equilibrium. The bulkiest items should never be placed at the facade or rear part, as it may result in excessive tongue weight and unloading of the tires making it hard to control the tow vehicle. While loading cars, their front should be placed first in the trailer.

Next comes securing the loaded items properly to prevent them from moving while the trailer is being hauled. There are various ways for tying down loaded cars in a 4 car hauler. One can make use of ratcheting tie down straps for securing the cars, one strap at each corner of a vehicle. The tie down straps should, however, be of good quality. Another tool which can be used for securing cars to a trailer is axle strap. Axle straps will have to be tied around either the lower control arm or the front cross-member and the rear axle.

Trailers are notorious for swaying, especially when there is wind or the load is not placed properly. Distribution hitches can help in minimizing sway by spreading weight across the chassis rather than the single ball hitch point. Besides decreasing rear suspension drop, distribution hitches can also reduce chances of whipping. Some states have strict laws that make it mandatory to use these add-ons with particular weights and trailers.

While towing a trailer, it is also important to keep an eye on the driving speed. Towing affects various systems of a vehicle, including suspension, drive-train and brakes. People who are still new to trailering must not exceed the speed limit. But it does not mean that experienced haulers can drive at any speed they want. Keeping the speed low provides more room for maneuvering while changing lanes. Stopping takes about twice or thrice the time and distance comparatively. The most prudent thing to do would be driving within 65 miles per hour.

Last but not the least, one must use the right kind of tires on the trailer. Some people use cheap light truck tires which are not designed for handling loads that trailers have to carry. These tires can blow up after frequent usage and result in serious accidents. 

Tips For Haulers Undertaking Interstate Vehicle Transport

It does not matter if you are an experienced car hauler or doing it the first time, it can never hurt to be aware of some vital tips for making your interstate vehicle transport convenient and safe. Not only will these tips help you to save an ample amount of time and make you hassle-free, but also aid you in working more competently.

Let’s take a look at some of them:

Drive Slowly : The foremost thing that you should keep in mind is to drive at a low speed. By driving slowly rather than attempting to rush at 70mph, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary troubles. Besides keeping away from speeding tickets, it would also help you to move safely at sharp turns.

Check Your Tow Van’s Battery : Whether the car transport you are undertaking, are for brand new or wrecked cars, it is imperative for the battery of your tow van to be up and running. If the battery dies down in the middle of the journey, it can cause a number of problems. Therefore, make sure that you inspect the battery of your tow van properly before setting off, and also keep a winch as backup.

Get Enough Sleep During Lengthy Trips : If the haul is supposed to be long one, carry a makeshift bed in the compartment of your truck and get enough sleep before starting for the journey. It is not a good thing at all to drive when you are groggy and know for sure that you need sleep. It can cause accidents, even fatal ones if you do not drive without getting enough rest.

Purchase A Good Hauling Trailer : Besides following all the necessary safety precautions and tips, make sure that you buy a proper trailer for the task. There are many firms in Texas that provide 4 or 5 car hauler for sale. You can also look for used ones if your budget is tight, but make sure you inspect them carefully before buying. Having to perform repair works on your newly bought trailer is the last thing you would want to do.

Limit The Hauling : Size of the trailer will determine the number of cars you can haul, but try not to exceed four or five cars at the most. If you are a newbie and your trailer is a large one, try to limit the number of cars to a couple during your first time, in order to become familiar with the hauling process.