Six Tips For Safe Trailering

Towing is one of the main reasons you buy a pickup truck or SUV, and with a GMC, customers have some of the best trailering technology to help make towing even easier and safer for all involved. Whether you are pulling a jet ski, a boat, or a large camper, we have compiled six tips to help make towing more enjoyable. Like a pre-flight check when flying a plane or helicopter, you should always make a checklist and cross things off as you do them. Towing safely isn’t just about not hurting your vehicle; it can save lives. 

1: Know Your Limits

Always consider your vehicle’s maximum capabilities, i.e., its total weight capacity, when properly equipped. Some vehicles need to have a Max Trailering package selected to get the capabilities of their vehicle’s towing specs. Also, be sure to have a proper hitch rated for the amount you are going to tow. 

Remember, your maximum towing capacity decreases the more your vehicle weighs when loaded with people and luggage. So, if you are hauling an extra 1,500 lbs of people and stuff and your towing capacity is 5,000 lbs, you shouldn’t be towing more than 3,500 lbs. Otherwise, you could have serious handling and braking issues, cause an accident, or potentially injure people. 

Consult your owner’s manual to find your maximum towing capacity. You can also look at the sticker inside the driver’s side door, which will show a GVWR and GCWR. This means Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is the total cargo weight capacity of your vehicle, and Gross Combined Weight Rating, which includes the maximum weight the vehicle can both carry and tow at the same time. If you need help with this, you can always call GMC of Rochester and speak with one of our professionals to assist you. 

2: Load Your Trailer Properly

If you are carrying cargo on your trailer or towing a motorcycle or motorcycles with some gear, make sure that the gear is towards the front of the trailer and that the weight of everything you’re towing is evenly distributed on both sides of the trailer. This helps with the overall balance of the trailer when braking and cornering, ensuring that weight doesn’t shift weirdly and then cause the trailer to sway. 

3: Always Check The Tires

When towing any extra weight, it is vital to make sure of two things regarding the tires of your vehicle and your trailer. Properly inflate all the tires and make sure that the tread is still good on both the vehicle and the trailer. Blowing out a tire on a trailer while driving down the highway or on a backroad can be absolutely catastrophic. Also, having under- or over-inflated tires on both the truck and trailer can cause trailer bounce, cornering and braking issues, and poorer gas mileage. With the GMC Trailering App built into your infotainment system, you can safely track the proper tire pressures of your truck and trailer. 

4: Make Sure The Lights Are Working

It is essential that your vehicle’s headlights, taillights, and turn signals are always working, but what about your trailer? The last thing you want is for someone to run into the back of your trailer because your turn signal or brake lights are malfunctioning. That’s why, before setting off, you should check them, as well as take a look at them every time you stop to use the restroom, get gas, food, etc. Thanks to the in-Vehicle Trailering App, you can use the Trailer Light Sequence that will run a light sequence to see if they are working correctly. 

5: How Are Your Brakes?

Before any major trip, especially when towing, it’s always good to check that your brake rotors and pads are in good condition. The brakes are going to be doing a lot of extra work, so if you’re close to needing new pads and or rotors, you might as well get them done before the trip. Stopping times will substantially increase while pulling a trailer, and doing so with mediocre or bad brakes will only potentially add hundreds of feet to the total stopping distance from a highway speed. This also applies to the trailer. Your truck doesn’t have to do all the work. 

Also, regardless of whether your trailer has surge or electric brakes, be sure to connect the emergency breakaway cable. This way, should anything awful happen where the trailer gets disconnected from the trailer, the brakes of said trailer will automatically be triggered. 

6: Always Know What’s Around You

In any driving situation, you should be aware of the vehicles beside and behind you, even when you aren’t pulling anything. The safest drivers always take a quick look in their mirrors at all times to know what’s going on around them. Pulling a trailer, especially something like a boat, camper, or horses, etc., you will experience extra blind spots. The ProGrade Trailering System offers Trailer Blind Spot Alert that alerts you when a vehicle is moving into your blind spot when towing. This feature is offered on the Sierra 1500, Sierra Heavy Duty, and Yukon models. 

At Penz GMC of Rochester, we value our customers. You can find new GMC inventory, including the GMC Sierra 1500 and the all-new Canyon, plus an unmatched collection of used car, truck, van, SUV and crossover inventory at our dealership near you. Are you interested in leasing or financing your next vehicle? The Finance Department at Penz GMC of Rochester can help you find the right lease offer or finance solution that fits your budget. We cultivate relationships with many banks, lenders, and other financial organizations to provide great options for purchasing your new vehicle. In addition to the comprehensive factory warranty that comes with your new vehicle, we offer extended warranty and protection programs to safeguard your investment. Get the best deals and specials available to you on a GMC. Our knowledgeable sales staff wants to help you find the perfect fit in a new GMC or used car. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Penz family and help you find your new car or used vehicle. Your support and customer service doesn’t stop after you sign your deal. The expert Service Department at Penz GMC of Rochester is always ready to help with any repairs or maintenance you might need to keep your vehicle running perfectly. Our Express Service Lane will quickly get you back on the road when you need basic maintenance, like an oil change or tire rotation. Would you like to make your new car all your own with personalized upgrades? Our well-stocked Parts Department has all of the GMC authentic accessories you need for the best customization of your vehicle. Make your car, truck, or SUV uniquely yours to fit perfectly in your lifestyle. We are eager to help you on your car buying and vehicle ownership journey. Visit us today at Penz GMC of Rochester!