Chapter 12: Towing a Trailer

Towing a trailer safely requires a unique set of skills and knowledge beyond normal driving. The added weight and length of a trailer dramatically change a vehicle’s handling, acceleration, and braking characteristics. Understanding the principles of proper loading, equipment use, and defensive driving with a trailer is essential for preventing loss of control, which could lead to a serious crash.

This section covers the essential equipment, loading procedures, and driving techniques required for safely towing a light, non-commercial trailer in Minnesota.

Equipment and Loading

Before towing, a driver must ensure the vehicle and trailer are properly equipped and the load is balanced. Failure in either of these areas can lead to a dangerous loss of control.

Required Equipment

• Hitch: The hitch must be securely mounted to the tow vehicle and be rated for the weight of the trailer. The trailer coupler must be properly secured to the hitch ball.
• Safety Chains: Every trailer must be connected to the tow vehicle with two separate safety chains. These chains must be strong enough to hold the trailer if the hitch fails. They should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue to form a cradle, which can prevent the tongue from dropping to the pavement if it disconnects.
• Lights: The trailer must have a fully functional lighting system that connects to the tow vehicle. This includes red taillights, brake lights, and turn signals that work in sync with the tow vehicle’s lights.
• Brakes: In Minnesota, all trailers with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,000 pounds or more must be equipped with their own braking system.