A trailer’s stability is a crucial part of towing a vehicle. Besides ensuring the towing vehicle’s safety, a trailer must have a secure hitch attachment. Hitch assemblies should come with weight ratings stamped on them. A tow bar also needs to be secured properly. The towed vehicle should be equipped with functioning lights.
Electric brakes are an option for trailers. They work by transferring a signal from the towing vehicle to the trailer’s brakes. They can be operated on non-commercial trailers, too. However, to use them, your tow vehicle must be equipped with a brake controller. Without a brake controller, you will not be able to use electric brakes.
The width of your trailer must meet the legal width requirement for road travel. Its maximum width is determined by its widest point, which may include the fenders and tires. However, if the trailer’s tires extend past the fenders, you should measure the width to where they are widest. Moreover, you should check the width of the tires’ bottom bulge.
Step-deck trailers are popular among carriers worldwide. They can accommodate tall loads and are commonly used to move agricultural, construction, or heavy equipment. Another popular option is the low-boy or low-bed. Another type is double-drop, which is lower than the other trailer types and has two drops behind the gooseneck and the back wheels.
Drop-leg jacks are another option for lifting your trailer. These jacks mount on the trailer tongue and are typically attached to the driver’s side of the trailer. These jacks can lift 7,000, 10,000, or 12,000 pounds. The latter type is more appropriate for heavier loads. When the jacks are on the truck, the trailer can move forward or backward on a downgrade with ease.
You should also consider the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating. This will let you know the maximum weight of cargo and passengers in the trailer. This weight includes the tow vehicle, passengers, cargo, and fuel. If the weight of the trailer exceeds the GVWR, it can cause oversteering. The weight limit on a trailer must be at least 10 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle towing it.
Another important safety feature is trailer lights. These will alert other road users of the trailer’s presence and intentions. The lights may be integrated into the housing or separate from the tow vehicle. Some trailers use conduit to conceal the wiring. A good way to protect the wiring is to wrap the wire with electrical tape. The lights on a trailer should also be grounded. In addition to taillights, there should be side marker lights and clearance lights.
Generally, a conventional trailer is about 13 feet long. A smaller one can be towed by a small vehicle while larger ones may require a larger vehicle with a higher towing capacity. A fifth-wheel trailer, on the other hand, is coupled with the tow vehicle with a hitch. They can range from 17 to 40 feet long.