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.