know before you tow - SLIDEBLAST.COM
KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW The recommendations and guidelines in this handout are designed to help provide a safe and pleasant towing experience. PAYLOAD CAPACITY & TONGUE WEIGHT Never overload your trailer or overextend your tow vehicle. Check the Federal I.D. plate on both your trailer and tow vehicle. The I.D. plate will indicate your trailer and tow vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is the maximum cumulative towing capacity. Be sure that the total weight of the trailer plus cargo does not exceed the GVWR. Measure your trailer’s total weight using a certified scale. Tongue weight can be measured by the method illustrated below. Trailer must be level. Tongue weight should be 10-15% for tag-a-long trailers and approximately 25% for gooseneck trailers.
changing. Negotiate rough roads and bumps slowly to avoid “bottoming-out”. Adjust the trailer’s electric brakes gain (bias) controller to compensate for large changes in weight or road conditions. Know the clearance required for the trailer’s roof. Swing wider as you make a turn. Practice parking and backing. (Hint: When backing up, turn your wheel right to go left, and left to go right.)
Inspect and test 12-volt electrical clearance lights, turn signals, brakes and breakaway system including the rechargeable battery.
TOWING CHECK LIST
Follow the axle manufacturer’s recommendation for hub, brake and bearing maintenance. Proper lubrication of bearings is a must.
If not already equipped, consider installing towing mirrors, a transmission oil cooler, and heavy-duty shocks and springs. And remember, towing a loaded trailer can be quite demanding on the powertrain. As a result, you should consider a more frequent service and maintenance schedule. Semiannually, lightly lubricate moving points of the hitch system with chassis grease. Frequently recheck torque of all hitch system fasteners and wheel lug nuts. Confirm that each of the trailer’s safety chains have breaking strength equal to the gross trailer weight. Your chains should be crossed under the coupler and have only enough slack to permit full turning. Chains should not drag on the ground. Do not twist chains to shorten. To help prevent swaying, the trailer load should be secured and evenly distributed side-to-side. Heavier objects should be positioned on the floor in front of the axle(s). Concentrate 60% of the total payload in the front half of the trailer. Improper loading can adversely affect the handling of your tow vehicle and trailer.
BREAK-IN PERIOD Get to know your towing vehicle/trailer combination. Take a few practice runs before you go on a vacation or trip. Allow extra time for passing, accelerating, stopping, and lane
Never underestimate the force of wind gusts at highway speeds, especially for securing external equipment. A 20% increase in frontal area (drag) results in about a 10% decrease in fuel economy. (Note: The aerodynamic Nose Cone® is a proven option to dramatically reduce wind drag, improve handling, and reduce fuel costs.)
Tire pressure of the towing vehicle and trailer is extremely important for optimized fuel economy, road handling, and tire wear. Don’t forget your spare tire, it needs to be properly inflated as well.
To compensate for suspension squat, allow approximately 1/16” for each 100 pounds of tongue weight. Trailers with low weight (known as diminutive) percentages should have a sway control device. Don’t forget to factor in any cargo in the truck of your tow vehicle. Tow vehicle and trailer should be level. If a weight-distribution hitch is needed, the spring bars should be adjusted approximately parallel with the trailer’s frame. Rear springs should not be overly compressed. The ground clearance of the front bumper and rear bumper should not vary by more than 1/2“. Ball shank angles should not exceed 3 degrees tilt up or 12 degrees tilt down when mounted. (See illustration.)
Using lower gears on steep grades, sand, gravel, and dirt roads will reduce the stress on your engine and transmission. Under ideal driving conditions and flat terrain using the overdrive gear will provide maximum fuel economy. (Always check your tow vehicle Owner’s Manual for OEM recommendations.) In no case does driving faster achieve greater fuel economy.
Visit Your Nearest Authorized Dealer To See The Entire Wells Cargo Model Line-Up!
When driving in extreme altitudes, remember engines lose about 3% power per 1,000 feet of elevation. Wheel lug nuts must be tightened with a torque wrench at regular intervals. On new trailers check lug nut tightness before your initial trip, at 10 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles. Recheck at least every 3 months or 3000 miles thereafter. FOR GOOSENECK TRAILERS Turning cab clearance, the distance from the back of the cab to the centerline of the trailer coupling device should be 6” greater than 1/2 the trailer’s width. Height of the hitch/pin box should be adjusted so the trailer is towed level to 3” nose down. Allow 8” clearance to the pickup box rails for trailer pitch and roll. Add more for off-road operation. (See illustration.)
PLANT LOCATIONS
Elkhart, Indiana Waco, Texas Ogden, Utah Phoenix, Arizona Waycross, Georgia Carbondale, Pennsylvania
CORP. OFFICE
1503 W. McNaughton St. PO Box 728 Elkhart, IN 46515-0728 Phone: (574) 264-9661 Fax: (574) 264-5938
(800) 348-7553 Web site: www.wellscargo.com AUTHORIZED WELLS CARGO DEALER
©Wells Cargo, Inc. 2001 Form TOWTIP 101R805
POCKET TOWING GUIDE
changing. Negotiate rough roads and bumps slowly to avoid “bottoming-out”. Adjust the trailer’s electric brakes gain (bias) controller to compensate for large changes in weight or road conditions. Know the clearance required for the trailer’s roof. Swing wider as you make a turn. Practice parking and backing. (Hint: When backing up, turn your wheel right to go left, and left to go right.)
Inspect and test 12-volt electrical clearance lights, turn signals, brakes and breakaway system including the rechargeable battery.
TOWING CHECK LIST
Follow the axle manufacturer’s recommendation for hub, brake and bearing maintenance. Proper lubrication of bearings is a must.
If not already equipped, consider installing towing mirrors, a transmission oil cooler, and heavy-duty shocks and springs. And remember, towing a loaded trailer can be quite demanding on the powertrain. As a result, you should consider a more frequent service and maintenance schedule. Semiannually, lightly lubricate moving points of the hitch system with chassis grease. Frequently recheck torque of all hitch system fasteners and wheel lug nuts. Confirm that each of the trailer’s safety chains have breaking strength equal to the gross trailer weight. Your chains should be crossed under the coupler and have only enough slack to permit full turning. Chains should not drag on the ground. Do not twist chains to shorten. To help prevent swaying, the trailer load should be secured and evenly distributed side-to-side. Heavier objects should be positioned on the floor in front of the axle(s). Concentrate 60% of the total payload in the front half of the trailer. Improper loading can adversely affect the handling of your tow vehicle and trailer.
BREAK-IN PERIOD Get to know your towing vehicle/trailer combination. Take a few practice runs before you go on a vacation or trip. Allow extra time for passing, accelerating, stopping, and lane
Never underestimate the force of wind gusts at highway speeds, especially for securing external equipment. A 20% increase in frontal area (drag) results in about a 10% decrease in fuel economy. (Note: The aerodynamic Nose Cone® is a proven option to dramatically reduce wind drag, improve handling, and reduce fuel costs.)
Tire pressure of the towing vehicle and trailer is extremely important for optimized fuel economy, road handling, and tire wear. Don’t forget your spare tire, it needs to be properly inflated as well.
To compensate for suspension squat, allow approximately 1/16” for each 100 pounds of tongue weight. Trailers with low weight (known as diminutive) percentages should have a sway control device. Don’t forget to factor in any cargo in the truck of your tow vehicle. Tow vehicle and trailer should be level. If a weight-distribution hitch is needed, the spring bars should be adjusted approximately parallel with the trailer’s frame. Rear springs should not be overly compressed. The ground clearance of the front bumper and rear bumper should not vary by more than 1/2“. Ball shank angles should not exceed 3 degrees tilt up or 12 degrees tilt down when mounted. (See illustration.)
Using lower gears on steep grades, sand, gravel, and dirt roads will reduce the stress on your engine and transmission. Under ideal driving conditions and flat terrain using the overdrive gear will provide maximum fuel economy. (Always check your tow vehicle Owner’s Manual for OEM recommendations.) In no case does driving faster achieve greater fuel economy.
Visit Your Nearest Authorized Dealer To See The Entire Wells Cargo Model Line-Up!
When driving in extreme altitudes, remember engines lose about 3% power per 1,000 feet of elevation. Wheel lug nuts must be tightened with a torque wrench at regular intervals. On new trailers check lug nut tightness before your initial trip, at 10 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles. Recheck at least every 3 months or 3000 miles thereafter. FOR GOOSENECK TRAILERS Turning cab clearance, the distance from the back of the cab to the centerline of the trailer coupling device should be 6” greater than 1/2 the trailer’s width. Height of the hitch/pin box should be adjusted so the trailer is towed level to 3” nose down. Allow 8” clearance to the pickup box rails for trailer pitch and roll. Add more for off-road operation. (See illustration.)
PLANT LOCATIONS
Elkhart, Indiana Waco, Texas Ogden, Utah Phoenix, Arizona Waycross, Georgia Carbondale, Pennsylvania
CORP. OFFICE
1503 W. McNaughton St. PO Box 728 Elkhart, IN 46515-0728 Phone: (574) 264-9661 Fax: (574) 264-5938
(800) 348-7553 Web site: www.wellscargo.com AUTHORIZED WELLS CARGO DEALER
©Wells Cargo, Inc. 2001 Form TOWTIP 101R805
POCKET TOWING GUIDE
