Tires
Periodic inspection and
maintenance of tow vehicle and trailer tires and
wheels are essential to towing safety, including
spare tires. Proper tire pressure affects vehicle
handling and the safety of your tires. You can find
the correct tire pressure for your tow vehicle in
the owner’s manual or on the tire information
placard.
- Underinflation reduces the
load-carrying capacity of your tow vehicle or
trailer, may cause sway and control problems,
and may result in overheating, causing blowouts
or other tire failure.
- Overinflation causes
premature tire wear and affects the handling
characteristics of the tow vehicle or trailer.
Brakes
On a regular basis, have the
brakes on both vehicles inspected. Be sure that
necessary adjustments are made and any damaged or
worn parts are replaced.
Hitch
Check the nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners to ensure that the hitch remains secured
to the tow vehicle and the coupler remains secured
to the trailer. The connection point may require
periodic lubrication to permit free movement of the
coupler to the hitch ball.
Wiring
Make sure connector-plug prongs
and receptacles, lightbulb sockets, wire splices,
and ground connections are clean and shielded from
moisture. Lightly coat all electrical terminal
connections with nonconducting (dielectric), light
waterproof grease.
Clean the prongs with very fine
sandpaper, being careful not to damage the contact
area.
Clean the surface deposits in the
connector holes. (Make sure the lights are off to
prevent blowing a fuse.) Try to clean off only the
deposits and lubricate lightly with dielectric,
light waterproof grease
