RAM Truck 2011 User's Guide download pdf (Page 40)

40 | 2011 TRAILER LIFE Towing Guide

TOWING

TIPS

Plenty of practice and defensive

driving skills lead to a safe and

enjoyable RV experience

BY BRAD CL AYTON

railer towing isn’t exactly rocket science, but it

does represent a step up in complexity from

driving a solo vehicle. Towing requires new

awareness of combined vehicle length, trailer width, brak-

ing distance, turning characteristics and several other im-

portant factors that must be considered while on the road.

Most of us drive trucks, SUVs or passenger cars daily, and

tow an RV only occasionally while vacationing. Thus, it’s al-

ways necessary to make a mental transition and try to keep

the size and handling characteristics of the larger rig in mind.

Allowing solo-vehicle habits to take over may result in a

tendency to make turns too tightly, to run over curbs, to hit

stationary objects such as overhanging tree limbs or to fol-

low too closely.

Pay Attention

The first towing precautions are those that precede towing

— matching the tow vehicle and trailer correctly, adhering

to weight limits and making sure hitch selection and ad-

justment are correct, as described elsewhere in this guide.

It’s also important to refresh defensive driving skills. From

TL1102 TG Towing Tips LO.qxp_Towing Guide 12/8/10 12:26 PM Page 40

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RAM Truck 2011 User's Guide Page 40