Tow safer and smarter with these helpful items.

Towing Tips from AutoSport

Whether you’re into boating, racing, camping, equestrian events or any other activity that involves using a trailer, there are certain basics you need to know before you hit the road with your trailer in tow. AutoSport has products that will make your towing experience safer and more enjoyable.

A Few Basics
Perform a safety inspection before each trip and during each stop along the way. Make sure that the pin securing the ball mount to the receiver is intact and the hitch coupler is secured. Check the spring bar hinges to make sure they are tight with the safety clips in place (load equalizer or weight distributing hitches). Double-check to see that safety chains are properly attached and the electrical plug is properly installed.

Make sure your tow vehicle is a proper match for your trailer. The tow vehicle should have enough horsepower and torque to climb mountain grades without excessive loss of speed.

Backing your vehicle up to your trailer can be difficult sometimes, especially for less-experienced owners. Our easy-to-install Trailer Hitch Guide can take the stress out of that process. When the Guide contacts the trailer’s coupler, the hitch will position itself automatically. Stop worrying about damage--all you have to do is get it close. And you won’t be getting in and out of your vehicle to check your position over and over again! Our Back-up Camera Plate Frame gives you the security of knowing what’s behind you before you back up. This ingenious camera is set into an easy-to-install license plate frame, and sends a clear image to the 2.5" color LCD monitor.

Our Universal-Fit Hitch Lock Kit locks the trailer to hitch—and the hitch to your vehicle. Just use the thinner pin to lock down your hitch release lever, and you’ll deter theft and prevent accidental release.

Be sure your cargo is properly loaded and balanced, because vehicle stability and safety can be affected by weight distribution. If rear axle weight is low, it is best to load the heaviest supplies toward the rear of the trailer. Store the heaviest supplies low, to keep the center of gravity low and ensure safe handling. Improper weight distribution can cause the trailer to fishtail (sway back and forth across the lane). This is a dangerous situation for you and for other motorists on the road. If you have cargo that’s likely to move around and affect weight distribution, try a set of our Adjustable Tie Downs. They stretch like a bungee cord, adjust like a ratchet strap and keep your cargo secure.

When you’re not towing your trailer, you’ll want to use a Hitch Cover to keep the hitch free of debris. Our selection of tough steel covers do the job with style.

Don’t Forget Tire Safety
All your trailer tires should be of the same type, size, and construction—do not mix bias-belted and radial tires. In selecting trailer tires, only buy the size, type, and load range found on the trailer’s certification label or in the owner’s manual. Trailer tires have a load rating that indicates the amount of weight they can carry safely. Always maintain proper tire pressure and replace worn tires. And remember that your tow vehicle tires may require a higher tire pressure for towing, especially heavy loads.

With a set of our Tire Safety Monitors, you can know in a glance if your tires have lost air. After verifying your pressures are correct, replace your old valve stem caps with these monitors. You'll see a green indicator on the cap. If pressure drops 2-3 psi or more, a red flag pops out, alerting you to the loss of air. They’re sold in sets of 4, so order a set for your trailer and your tow vehicle. We also sell a range of Tire Gauges that will give you accurate pressure readings and help ensure your safety on the road.

If your tires are low and you’re not near a gas station or truck stop, you’ll be happy you have our High-Speed Inflator. This powerful, high-quality 12-volt inflator was designed to inflate tires fast. The compact unit comes in a handy storage case and features a detachable LED flashlight/warning light that's very handy if tire trouble strikes at night.

Backing Up Can Be Hard To Do
Backing a trailer can be frustrating for inexperienced owners. The most important thing to remember is that the trailer will go in the opposite direction of the tow vehicle. It’s helpful to have another person spotting you as you back the trailer.

Here are two methods that work:

• Turn the vehicle's wheels to the right to make the trailer go left, and vice versa.
• Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. The trailer will go in the same direction your hand moves (moving your hand to the right will cause the trailer to go right; and vice versa).

Don’t be in a hurry. Sharp steering wheel corrections will cause the trailer to jackknife and may cause damage to the rear of the tow vehicle or the front of the trailer.

Visibility is crucial when you’re merging, changing lanes or trying to park with a trailer. A set of Auxiliary Blind-Spot Mirrors can make driving with a trailer easier and safer. High-quality optics enhance your driving safety by providing a glare-free, distortion-free panoramic view that's up to 2.5 times wider than your factory-installed mirror.

Keep Your Trailer Secure
Walking outside and finding a big empty space where your trailer used to be can be a shocking way to start a day. Trailers are an inviting target for thieves, whether they’re interested in what’s on or in the trailer or the trailer itself. Most experts suggest taking steps to make your trailer visually unique, with paint, decals or licensing. A distinctive trailer that obviously has ID numbers on file somewhere is going to be much less attractive to a thief than a plain white trailer.

A trailer that won’t roll is of absolutely no use to a potential thief. That’s why The Club Tire Claw is a great accessory for your trailer. This self-locking security device is made of heavy steel and features a tough, jiggle-proof lock and a laser-encrypted key. A rubberized coating protects your trailer’s wheels and hubcaps.