RAM Truck 2011 User's Guide download pdf (Page 42)

RAILER LIF

Towin

Guide

there, the real fun be

ins

The combined len

th of the tow vehicl

e trai

er, as we

as t

e com

ine

weight, must be in the

ront o

your mind

right from the start. Maintaining extended

followin

distances is one of the most impor-

tant towin

-related drivin

habits that initiall

is di

icult to adhere to

Even though trailer brakes may be

unc-

tional, braking distances almost always are

extended. It’s also im

ortant to make lane

chan

es carefull

and slowl

, and to allow ex-

tended distances

or passing. High-quality

proper

y a

juste

towing mirrors wit

arge

ect

eas

esse

ufacturers have factor

-installed extendibl

towin

mirrors available, and most such fac

tory mirrors wor

ese

ays, suc

those seen on many Ford trucks. I

you need

termarket portable mirrors, solidl

mounte

units like those from McKesh are a

ood idea.

Speed

traffic seems more tolerant of

slower 18-wheelers than o

slower RVs, whic

makes courtesy an important sa

ety

actor

RV owners because an irate driver trying to

pass can pose a serious safet

threat. Fre

quent monitorin

of rearview mirrors is neces-

sary w

e towing; w

en a ve

e is tai

gating

trying to pass, we s

rivin

y to t

e rig

t to give t

e ot

river a

better view of the road ahead, even if a

ass-

opportunit

does not exist at the time. We

use turnouts w

enever possi

e an

avoid

ollowing another vehicle so closely that

a vehicle overtakin

rom the rear cannot re

turn to the

er lane

Braking

e tow-ve

e an

trai

es are a

quate

or most situations, care is necessary t

avoid overheatin

, which can lead to brak

fade. If brake fade occurs, it will likel

be o

steep down

rades. Brake fade happens when

riction raises the temperature o

brake pad

inings to extreme

eve

s, resu

tin

in temporar

loss of brakin

The onl

known cure is prevention, such a

downshiftin

to a

ear ran

e that is low

enough to retard speed su

iciently that

es nee

not

e use

more t

an occasion-

all

. This wa

, enou

h brakin

performance i

reserved to make an emer

enc

stop, should

it become necessar

ing on a gra

e is necessary,

app

y t

es intermittent

y, wit

ate

ressure, and release the

edal to allow

coo

act

ect

be apparent to the driver, and su

icient t

e t

e trai

er’s weig

t. T

e contro

hould be adjusted so that maximum brakin

ction does not cause trailer-wheel locku

mproper controller ad

ustment is a ma

ause o

inadequate braking, so it’s wise to

tudy the manu

acturer’s instructions. Travel-

railer instability (

ishtailing) should not occur

n a well-balanced

well-hitched combination

ut if it does, inde

endent actuation of trailer

es usua

y wi

ring t

e trai

int

ine. Ford, GM and Dodge all o

actory-

nstalled

ull

inte

rated brake controls o

ull-size pickups, and these units all work ver

icel

and are valuable safet

components.

When towing with a diesel, an a

termarket

xhaust brake can be extremely bene

icial,

nd many newer diesel trucks now o

ull

nte

rated exhaust-brake control.

Trailer Maneuvering

ll trailers require more space

or turns, an

ravel trailers

ollow the tow-vehicle trac

ore closel

than do fifth-wheels, whic

k f

rn. Th

eed for continual awareness

which shoul

ventually become second-nature a

ter a

odest amount o

on-the-road experience

Fif

h-wh

iff

bac

han conventional trailers, and re

uire mor

ractice for someone accustomed to backin

conventiona

trai

er. A we

-use

tec

niqu

nvolves placing one’s hand at the bottom o

he steerin

wheel and movin

it in the sam

irection the trailer is intended to

o. It’s mor

ect

n wi

h fif

heels, which o

ten require more turning o

e steering w

Handheld two-wa

radios can allow an

ssistant to more effectivel

rela

backin

nstructions to the driver. Plus back-u

cameras,

as avai

e on many 2011 For

ther trucks, help ease the di

iculty o

hitchin

when a hel

er isn’t available

Before each tri

, it’s essential to check th

ires to assure that inflation

ressures matc

hose molded on tire sidewalls

(

cold

)

, or tha

hey are appropriate

or your load (consul

oth the tire and vehicle load/inflation tables

lso, be sure to ins

ect all vehicle fluids,

tandard maintenance procedure durin

eavy-

uty ve

e use cyc

es, an

e sure

railer-wheel lug nuts are tightened to

actory

ecifications

Trailerin

is a

reat wa

to explore the ne

orizons and a

reat wa

to check out th

onder

ul camping destinations that ar

vailable to owners o

recreational trailers

nd alwa

s keep in mind that defensive drivin

ill pa

off in safe travel.

TL1102 TG Towing Tips LO.qxp_Towing Guide 12/7/10 3:28 PM Page 42

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