OKoffroad.com — 4x4 Article
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BASIC TOWING
LEGAL: By 22  
reprinted with permission  

Off-roading season is here! EJS is around the corner, and many of us will be hitting the road with rig in tow on our way to Mecca Moab, or just to our favorite local playground.

Know and follow all state, local, and D.O.T. towing laws that pertain to maximum width on roads, weight restrictions, types of brakes used, or any other laws. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your local law enforcement or D.O.T. before towing.

Know the weight of the cargo or equipment (your rig) you intend to haul, and the towing capacities of the trailer (very important) and tow vehicle. Most people think, "If it fits on the trailer, I'm good to go."

Make sure the trailer coupler and towing coupler are the same size, and proper capacity.

Back tow vehicle up to trailer, and hook up. Use a spotter - it's easier.

Trailer must be connected to tow vehicle before loading or unloading.

Lock tow vehicle brakes before loading and unloading trailer.

After connected to tow vehicle, make sure trailer is level, or slightly higher in front, adjust as needed.

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Attach safety chains (cross them), electrical plug and break-a-way switch (electric brakes), and make sure they are not dragging.

Check tire pressure on trailer and tow vehicle.

Check all lighting on trailer, and tow vehicle for proper operation.

Check over-all condition of trailer: tie-downs, ramps, hitch for proper operation.

Make sure deck is clear of all debris before loading and before heading out onto the road.

Secure cargo or equipment to trailer, secure load on all 4 corners if possible, do not overtighten binders.

Secure all loading ramps, and make sure Jack stand is in the up position.

After travelling a short distance, stop and check to see if your load is secure, and that all tie-downs are tight.

Allow for greater braking distance, when pulling a trailer, and generally travel at slower speeds.


Copyright OK Motorpool  
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Fourwheeling for me: "Twenty-five years ago, it struck me that I'd rather be at 2mph on a rocky trail, with half a tire hanging over a 2,000 foot drop, than in a sports car on asphalt, cornering at 80 mph at the edge of tire adhesion."
         Jim Allen
Author of "Jeep," "Chevy and GMC Pickup Performance Handbook," "Illustrated Jeep Buyers Guide," "Jeep 4x4 Performance Handbook," "Classic 4x4s Buyers Guide," and about a thousand magazine articles on four-wheel drive topics since 1982.
(Thank you from OKoffroad.com)
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OKHome
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Fourwheeling for me:
"I fell head-over-heals for off-highway driving the first time I tried it. It wasn't enough to show everybody pictures of where I'd been---I had to write an entire book about it. Five years later, I'm working on book number five."
Charles A. Wells
FunTreks Guidebooks
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