Cargo Trailer Towing Guide

A cargo trailer is a great resource for hauling bulky, heavy items from one place to another. They are easy to load and easy to use, making them a useful purchase for a variety of situations. However, if you’re a first-time owner, you may be a little nervous about towing your cargo trailer. After all, these models are heavier in weight and they’re also longer and wider than your commuter vehicle, so towing one of these units will feel a little different from normal driving.

Here at Harold Implement Company, Inc., we strive to make your life easier. That's why we created the following beginner's guide to towing a cargo trailer. If you have any questions or if you’re still looking for the perfect cargo trailer, visit us to check out some of the best models that we have at our dealership in Corning, Arkansas.

Choose the Right Towing Vehicle

The most important priority is to ensure that you have the correct towing vehicle for the size of the cargo trailer you plan to tow. Not every vehicle can handle the extra weight, so you need to be selective and do your research. Check the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of your towing vehicle, which is set by the manufacturer and refers to the maximum weight limit that a truck or car can handle, including the vehicle itself, any towed vehicles, all cargo, and passengers. You’ll find this listed on the passenger side door or in the owner’s manual.

Exceeding the GCWR is extremely dangerous. You’re also required by law to comply with weight restrictions when towing, which is for the safety of you as well as others on the road. Towing too much weight behind your vehicle can result in tire blowouts, swaying or damage to your vehicle’s suspension system. If caught by law enforcement, you’ll face a hefty fine, so it’s just not worth it.

Distribute Weight Evenly

Loading up your cargo trailer correctly ensures that it’s balanced properly. A trailer with too much weight on one side presents a serious safety hazard, as the heavier side could result in bursting a tire. You may also struggle to keep the unit straight while driving due to the imbalance.

Make sure that your weight is distributed evenly from left to right. From front to back, you’ll want to follow the 60/40 rule: around 60% of your cargo weight should be up front towards the hitch and the remaining 40% should taper off the back of the trailer. You’ll probably have to spend some time planning how to load up your cargo in order to achieve this, but it’s time well spent, as it ensures everyone’s safety and reduces the risk of doing damage to your towing vehicle or your trailer. When towing a very large unit, you can even consider installing a weight-distribution hitch.

Practice Your Driving Skills

As we mentioned before, towing a cargo trailer is a little different from driving your car like you normally would. You’ve added weight and length with a trailer so you’ll need to be extra careful with how you commute. There are certain basic driving skills that you’ll need to practice, like turning, reversing, and braking. Before you hit the road, spend some time practicing in a large empty parking lot. You’ll want to be confident when you hit the road for the long haul, so give yourself plenty of time to master these skills. Once you’re confident in these skills, you should also try merging onto the highway to practice driving at higher speeds while towing. Choose a time of day when the traffic is at a minimum, so you won’t feel as much pressure from surrounding vehicles.

Use Safe Driving Tactics on the Road

Use defensive driving strategies to help keep your tow vehicle, your trailer, and yourself safe on the road. Leave plenty of room between yourself and other motorists. You may want to double your following distance because the added weight will mean that coming to a full stop takes more time.

Stick to the right-most lanes of traffic and try not to switch lanes. Allow other vehicles to pass you. Limit any distractions to help improve your focus on the road, such as setting up navigation before you begin driving. If you'll be making a long drive, take breaks as needed to ensure that you stay focused while you drive.

We hope you found this cargo trailer towing guide useful! For more information or if you want to explore our incredible selection of cargo trailers for sale, visit Harold Implement Company, Inc. in Corning, AR. We proudly serve all those in Paragould, Jonesboro, and Pocahontas.