Sometimes, you never know how much stuff you have to move until you finish packing. This position applies to homeowners and even business owners who carry goods. But you can use a tow truck and attach a storage trailer in such moments.

Weight distribution is key to using a tow truck alongside a trailer. A trailer can fishtail if there is excessive weight at the back.

On the other hand, sagging happens when the weight in front of the tow truck is too much. And it impairs the vehicle’s responsiveness and stopping ability.

Here, we’ll show you how best to attach a storage trailer to a tow truck.

Step-By-Step Guide to Using a Tow Truck to Load a Trailer

Follow these instructions to use a tow truck with a storage trailer safely:

Ensure Your Trailer Is Parked On A Flat Surface

After buying or renting a storage trailer, you must park it on a balanced platform before loading.

You risk the vehicle toppling or bending if you attempt loading while it’s on unlevel ground. Also, ensure there’s enough space to tie up your vehicle.

Scotch the Tyres

Wheel scotches are a great way to keep your trailer steady while you load it. They prevent it from moving or rolling during packing.

You can also steady the trailer by hooking it up to your automobile and setting the vehicle to park. This setting means you’re activating the emergency brakes for stability.

Double Check That the Load Is Distributed Evenly

First, take a fast count of your stuff and sketch down a rough plan. The plan should state where you’ll place what.

In your planning, you must observe the 60/40 rule. This notion means 60 percent of the trailer’s load should be in front of the axle and 40 percent in the back.

You can avoid a swaying trailer if this tongue weight is correct.

Start by Loading in The Heaviest Items

Safe towing requires strict adherence to the 60/40 rule when loading a trailer. And if you look to load things evenly, start with the biggest and heaviest ones.

That’s the best way to use a tow truck with a trailer.

Load the trailer’s heavy objects in the middle, ahead of the axle. After that, you may place lighter objects around it to avoid an uneven weight distribution.

Secure Heavy Goods with Straps

The next step when you use a tow truck with a trailer is ensuring you fasten heavy objects to the trailer holds. You can use ropes, chains, or ratchet straps.

Simply ensure your choice of tiedown is strong enough to hold the heavy item.

Stack Any Lightweight Items On the Top

Once the hefty objects are in place, you can safely stack the lighter items on top of them or in any other available space.

Lightweight cargo may consist of things like curtains, yard garbage, or even just a few small tools. More miniature goods are easier to load onto the trailer if they are first grouped in a larger container.

Furthermore, you can use a tarp to shield the trailer’s contents from the elements, including wind and precipitation.

Hook Up the Trailer

If you haven’t already, take the necessary steps to attach the storage trailer to the tow truck.

Also, verify the tow truck and storage trailer are rated to handle the extra weight. You can hook up the trailer after ticking this box.

Related Article: What You Need to Know About Storage Trailer Rentals

The Place of Towing Tech

Several technologies in contemporary trucks and SUVs make towing simpler than ever. Many automobile manufacturers provide “tow/haul” packages that include the necessary trailer brakes, hitch, enhanced cooling systems, and mirror upgrades.

Here is some specifically superior towing technology:

The 2020 GM Silverado HD and Sierra HD

These are heavy-duty trucks that include “see-through” Transparent Trailer View technology. This function stitches together camera feeds to let you see what’s behind the trailer when towing. Also, the GM’s OnStar system can assist in locating your trailer if it is ever stolen.

2019 Ram Pickups

This truck has a self-levelling air suspension aid, which helps maintain trailer stability. This automobile also provides a trailer tyre pressure monitoring system and trailer length blind area monitoring.

2019 Ford F-Series.’

Reversing with a trailer connected to this vehicle is super seamless. The truck itself and the entire length of the storage trailer are covered by Ford’s blind-spot monitoring and tyre pressure monitoring systems for trailers.

Ask your dealer what towing equipment is included when purchasing a new truck.

Safety Precautions for Using a Tow Truck

Typically, when you use a tow truck with a trailer, the latter’s “tongue weight,” or frontal load, should account for 9 to 15 percent of the trailer’s overall weight.

You can use a tongue-weight scale to find out how much weight you are loading. And some ball mounts even incorporate synergized scales to let you know the size of what you’re carrying right away.

A few security details to remind you of include:

• Make sure your load is secure by using straps or tie-downs.
• Tweak your rearview mirrors. If you have trouble seeing around your wide trailer when towing, telescoping tow mirrors may be just what you need.
• Please verify the trailer has tyres designed for trailers, as opposed to regular automobile tyres, and that they are inflated and in good condition (plenty of treads, no dry rot, etc.).
• Check the tyre pressure while you’re at it.
• It’s essential to keep the wheel bearings in your trailer well-greased to prevent wear on the axles.

Related Article: How Much to Rent a Storage Container

Summary

Using a tow truck with a trailer is less difficult than advertised. Simply follow specific steps like getting the trailer size and loading weight right.

Toronto Trailers can help by providing the right-sized storage trailer for your towing needs. Call 416-477-5488 to discuss options with our friendly logistic specialists.