Chapter 12: Towing a Trailer

Towing a trailer adds significant weight and length to a vehicle, fundamentally changing its handling, acceleration, and braking characteristics. Understanding the proper procedures for equipping, loading, and driving with a trailer is crucial for preventing loss of control, equipment failure, and serious collisions. These skills are vital for the safety of the driver, their passengers, and all other road users.

Equipment and Loading

Before towing, a driver must ensure the towing vehicle and trailer are properly equipped and the load is secure and balanced. Using the right equipment and loading techniques is the most important step in preventing dangerous situations like trailer sway.

Required Equipment

• Hitch System: The hitch must be appropriate for the weight of the trailer. It consists of a receiver on the tow vehicle and a ball mount that holds the hitch ball. The hitch ball size must match the trailer’s coupler size. All components must be securely pinned and locked.
• Safety Chains: Two strong safety chains are required to connect the trailer to the tow vehicle. The chains must be crossed under the trailer tongue in an “X” pattern and attached to the vehicle’s frame or hitch. This “X” formation creates a cradle that will catch the trailer tongue and prevent it from dropping to the pavement if the primary hitch fails. The chains should have enough slack to allow for sharp turns but not so much that they drag on the ground.
• Lights: The trailer’s lighting system must be connected to the tow vehicle and be fully functional. This includes taillights, stop lights (brake lights), and turn signals. This is essential for communicating the driver’s intentions to vehicles behind the trailer.
• Brakes: Delaware law requires a separate braking system on any trailer with a gross weight of 4,000 pounds or more. These brakes are typically activated electronically by a controller in the tow vehicle’s cab or by a surge mechanism on the trailer itself.

Proper Loading (The 60/40 Rule)

The balance of the cargo is the single most important factor in preventing trailer sway.

• Weight Distribution: About 60% of the cargo weight should be placed in the front half of the trailer (ahead of the axle) and 40% in the rear half.
• Tongue Weight: This distribution should result in a “tongue weight” (the downward force the trailer coupler exerts on the hitch ball) that is 10% to 15% of the total gross trailer weight. Proper tongue weight ensures the rear of the tow vehicle is pressed down firmly, maintaining traction and stability.
• Securing the Load: All cargo must be tied down securely to prevent it from shifting, sliding, or falling off the trailer. Use ropes, netting, or straps, and double-check the load before driving and after the first few miles of travel.