Towing 101: What You Need to Know to Get Your Trailer on the Road

Setting out to haul a trailer of any kind can be a big task, especially if you've never done it before. There are a lot of ins and outs and technical details that come along with hooking up that new fifth wheel or Gooseneck trailer to your vehicle. In this article, I will outline the basic things you'll need to know to get out on the road safely. Note that this is not comprehensive, and should be used as a base to build off of.

Some Terms

Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio (GVWR) - This is the maximum loaded weight that your vehicle is designed to carry, as determined by the manufacturer. This value includes the weight of the vehicle itself, plus anything and everything inside. If this weight is exceeded, you may be putting extra strain on your brakes, suspension, transmission, and engine.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) - The amount of weight that can be put on your front or rear axles. This includes the vehicle weight, the weight of your passengers and cargo, as well as the weight of a trailer.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) - The total weight of your trailer and its cargo.

Tongue Weight (TW) - The amount of downward force or weight on a towing vehicle by the trailer or other towable load. Proper tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of the GTW, and is affected by the way cargo is loaded. It's important to observe this weight, as it greatly effects your control of the trailer and the vehicle. 

Before going forward, you should always make sure you know the towing capacity of your truck, and ensure the thing you're towing doesn't exceed it. Check out our blog post on finding your truck's towing capacity.

Measuring Tongue Weight

Surprisingly enough, you can measure the tongue weight of your trailer with a simple bathroom scale. If you'd rather, tongue weight scales can be purchased at most towing supply stores as well. Your local trailer dealer may also be willing to let you use their tongue weight scale, as you shouldn't need to check it often. Finally, you can use a roadside vehicle scale to determine tongue weight. Call ahead to make sure your nearby scale will allow you to. Then pull up and measure the weight of your vehicle on its own. Then hook up your trailer, keeping the wheels off the scale. Subtract the weight of your vehicle from the weight or your vehicle and trailer to get your tongue weight. Remember that your tongue weight should only be 10-15% of your GTW.

If you expect the tongue weight to be less than 300 pounds, simply rest the trailer's tongue on a bathroom scale to measure the weight. If you expect a higher tongue weight, you will need to set up a system of pips and boards outlined on CURT Manufacturing's site in order to determine the tongue weight.

When loading your trailer, the best way to distribute cargo to achieve optimum tongue weight is evenly. Unless specified by the trailer manufacturer, 60% of your weight should go to the front of the trailer, and 40% should go to the back. The more cargo is at the front of your trailer, the heavier your tongue weight will be.

It's also important to make sure that your vehicle is set up with brake controllers. Without them, hard stops can be a devastating incident on the road, as they control and apply trailer brakes at the same rate as your towing vehicle's to ensure an even stop and help you maintain control.

Air Springs are also very helpful when trowing large trailers, or close to capacity loads. While they are made in a variety of different styles, they all work on the same premise. They are designed to take some of the weight off of your vehicle and provide a soft air cushion between the axle and the frame, which reduces suspension fatigue from carrying heavy loads regularly. They improve your vehicle's ride, improve steering control, level out your headlights, and improve tire wear.

Weight Distribution Hitches are another great way to minimize strain on your vehicle when towing large loads. They take some of the tongue weight off of your rear axle and distribute it evenly distribute it to your trailer's axles and to your front axle to improve steering control and decrease wear and strain on your rear axle.

As long as you observe your vehicle's weight restrictions and stay mindful of safety while towing, you shouldn't have a problem. So get out there and enjoy the summer outside. Check out our collection of towing accessories, or head over to CURT Manufacturing's website for even more details on towing. See you out there!

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca 

CURT E Series 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch - On Sale Now!

The E Series Fifth Wheel Hitches from CURT Manufacturing are built for heavy duty hauling, and the 16K Hitch is no exception. Built for ease of use, this hitch features a dual pivot head and a 3 position height adjustment, which can all be done with 1 hand! Need full truck bed access? The whole hitch can be taken out by removing 4 mounting pins to make room for hauling large cargo, If you don't want to pull the full hitch out but you need more room in your bed, you can pull 2 pins to get the head off.

CURT Hitches exceed industry standards, and they're backed by a 5 year warranty, so you know they mean business. Constructed from high quality materials, each unit is tested and rated for 16,000 pounds of gross trailer weight so you can get all of your tools, toys, or animals where they need to go.

Rails and Under Bed Bracket mounts are sold separately. For more information, check out our website, give us a call, or visit our Calgary location. Not from in town? Don't worry, just check out out Free Shipping Policy!

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca 

What's so Great About the CURT Spyder Gooseneck Hitch - On Sale Now

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to start pulling out your trailer, checking it and prepping it for the next camping season. Or maybe it's time to buy a new trailer. Regardless of your situation, when towing a trailer, you want to make sure that you have the best security for yourself, your toys, and others on the road around you. The CURT Spyder Gooseneck Hitch is a versatile, durable fifth wheel hitch that mounts to any standard fifth wheel base rail set, and it's on sale now for 21% off!

This trailer hitch style has the unique ability of being able to connect to both fifth wheel and gooseneck style trailer hitches, meaning you can pull both trailers with the same pickup. Held in place by 4 secure pin and clip attachment points, the hitch can be removed in mere minutes, giving you full truck bed access for hauling cargo when you need it, and where you need it. It's low profile designed means even when towing, you can still back your bed with other cargo too!

With an impressive gross load of 25,000 lbs., a tongue weight load of 6,250 lbs., and a 2 5/16" trailer ball, you'll be hard pressed to find a trailer, gooseneck or fifth wheel, that this hitch can't haul, including livestock trailers, chopper boxes, gravity boxes, flatbeds, and much more. Finished with a carbide black powder-coating, the Spyder Gooseneck Hitch is scratch resistant, rust resistant, UV resistant, and looks sharp.You won't find a more durable, long lasting hitch anywhere.

For more information, or to order your Spyder today, get in touch or visit our Calgary location.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca 

CURT Manufacturing: Select Hitches Sale

CURT Manufacturing is a United States based producer of high quality hitches, brake controllers, and other towing accessories. Using the latest technology and design software, CURT creates some of the most reliable towing products out there. For a limited time, we are offering select hitches at a discounted rate, starting as low and $99!

Fifth Wheel Hitches

CURT manufactures a variety of fifth wheel hitches at a range of prices. The one thing they all share is great durability for the price, whether you're looking at the E Series 16K or the 20K A Series. CURT also makes adapter plates and a fifth wheel roller designed to work with their products.

Brake Controllers

Rigging up a new hitch system? Replacing an old brake controller? CURT Brake controllers are a great option! Able to control trailer breaks on multiple axles, mounting anywhere inside your truck with bright LED displays with the ability to time brake application.

Gooseneck Hitches

Built to last and easy to install, gooseneck hitches are another great option. They take up little space in your truck bed, leaving room for you to carry more of the things you need when you're working or off camping. If you're not planning on taking the trailer and you need more bed space, Gooseneck hitches can be removed quickly by pulling out the four pins, giving you full truck bed access.

No matter the task, CURT Manufacturing products are ready to go to work. Whether you're preparing for the camping season, upgrading your rig, or looking to buy a new trailer, CURT should be your first choice for towing accessories. From hitches to brake controllers, and even accessories like wiring harnesses and weight distribution bars, they've got the gear to get your truck rigged up quick. And now, for a limited time, Auto Truck Depot can have you set up and ready to go for less! Our professional technicians will even install the products for you. To find out more, give us a call.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca