Chapter 12: Towing a Trailer

Safely towing a trailer requires a unique set of skills and knowledge beyond standard driving. The added weight and length dramatically change a vehicle’s handling, acceleration, and braking characteristics. Understanding the proper procedures for equipping, loading, and maneuvering with a trailer is essential for preventing dangerous situations like trailer sway, jackknifing, or collisions, ensuring the safety of your cargo, yourself, and all other road users.

Equipment and Loading

Before towing, a driver must ensure the vehicle and trailer are properly equipped and the load is secure and balanced. Using the correct equipment and loading techniques is the most critical step in preventing loss of control on the road.

Required Equipment

• Hitch and Connection: The drawbar or connection between the tow vehicle and trailer must be strong enough to handle the weight of the trailer. It must be properly secured to prevent any unintentional uncoupling.
• Safety Chains: Two safety chains are required to connect the trailer to the tow vehicle. These chains must be strong enough to hold the trailer if the primary hitch fails. They should be crossed under the trailer tongue in an “X” pattern. This prevents the tongue from dropping to the ground if it detaches and helps maintain some steering control.
• Lights: A trailer must have a functioning light system that connects to the tow vehicle. This includes two red taillights, two red brake lights, and turn signals, all visible from a distance of 1,000 ft. The trailer must also have two red reflectors on the rear. If a trailer is 80 inches or more in width, it must also be equipped with two amber clearance lamps on the front and two red clearance lamps on the back.
• Trailer Brakes: North Dakota law requires a trailer to be equipped with its own braking system if its gross weight is 3,000 lbs or more. When traveling faster than 25 mph, trailers must have safety chains or brakes capable of holding the trailer if the coupling breaks.

Proper Loading (The 60/40 Rule)

The single most important factor in preventing trailer sway is proper weight distribution. An improperly loaded trailer is unstable and dangerous at any speed.

• The 60/40 Rule: To maintain stability, approximately 60% of the cargo weight should be placed in the front half of the trailer (ahead of the trailer’s axle) and 40% in the rear half.
• Tongue Weight: This distribution should result in a “tongue weight” (the downward pressure the trailer tongue exerts on the hitch) that is about 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Too little tongue weight will cause the trailer to sway, while too much will weigh down the rear of the tow vehicle, lifting the front wheels and impairing steering and braking.
• Center of Gravity: Load heavy items low and centered over the axle(s), with the 60/40 front-to-back distribution. Secure all cargo to prevent it from shifting during travel.