HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-10-22, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015. PAGE 13.
Aaron Borrmann • Service Manager
Shuttle Service, loaner vehicle
pickup/delivery available
86924 Brussels Line, Bluevale
• Computerized 4 wheel alignment
• Air conditioning service & repair
• Maintenance & Repairs - Auto - RV - Heavy Truck
• General machine shop services
• Sandblasting & paint services
519-335-3857
aaron@borrmannsgarage.com
Get your winter tires now.
Towing safely requires skill and knowledge
MS – Active adults and busy
families understand that one perk to
owning a pickup truck or an SUV is
the ability to tow items behind the
vehicle.
Many of these trucks already come
equipped with trailer hitches that
make it possible to tow boats, RVs,
snowmobiles and more. But safe and
successful towing requires
knowledge of the basics of hitching
a trailer and some special rules of the
road.
The following are a few safety tips
for drivers unaccustomed to towing:
• Know your vehicle’s tow weight
capacity. The owner’s manual will
list the maximum weight a vehicle
can tow safely, but this is just a
simplified estimation of data.
To tow successfully, it’s important
to know your vehicle’s gross
combined weight rating, or GCWR.
This includes the vehicle itself, its
passengers and cargo, as well as the
trailer and the trailer’s cargo.
More passengers on board reduces
the amount of weight you can pull.
Another weight factor is the tongue
weight, or how much of the trailer’s
weight rests on the hitch, which
should be around 10 per cent of the
trailer’s weight. This helps reduce
trailer sway and can improve
steering.
• Practice proper weight
distribution. Distribute the weight of
the item being towed to make towing
smoother and safer. The cargo’s
centre of gravity should be low, and
most of the weight should be toward
the front. Weight on either side also
should be even. These steps will help
prevent the trailer from fishtailing or
flipping over.
• Use the right hitch equipment.
Adjust the hitch so that the trailer
being towed is relatively level to
your vehicle when attached.
Connect lights to your trailer
through the hitch system so that
brake lights and other indicators
work properly.
Make sure the hitch ball is the
right size for your trailer, otherwise
the trailer might disconnect during
towing. Use a pin and safety chains
to keep the trailer secure.
• Check if extra brakes are
required. Many states require a
separate braking system on towed
vehicles with a loaded weight in
excess of 1,000 pounds. Newer
trucks may have a built-in controller
for brakes or you may need to have a
system installed. Experts from
Popular Mechanics advise using a
trailer brake output system that
matches the trailer brake output to
the tow vehicle’s deceleration.
• Slow down and drive more
cautiously. A vehicle towing a trailer
will not manoeuver the same way as
a vehicle without a trailer attached.
Give yourself a greater cushion of
space between other vehicles. It may
take longer for you to brake because
of the added weight.
Get used to using side-view
mirrors because the trailer may
block your rearview. Larger,
extended sideview mirrors may help
you feel more comfortable and safe.
Make wide turns so that the
trailer will clear curbs and not
tip over.
• Avoid backing up. Unless you’re
experienced with driving large rigs,
you may find reversing with a trailer
very challenging. Limit situations
that require backing up. Park in pull-
through parking spots when
possible.
If you need to back up, move
slowly and with your hand on the
bottom of the steering wheel, turning
it in the direction you want the trailer
to go.
• Practice, practice, practice. Get
acclimated with towing in a parking
lot or on empty streets before taking
your trailer out on the open road.
Towing troubles
Simply knowing how much a vehicle can tow isn’t enough for drivers to safely hit the road with
recreational vehicles, storage or animals in tow. Factoring in the weight of passengers, the
ability of the vehicle to haul under different scenarios and driving habits can require planning
and a different style of driving than not towing. Having the right equipment, including the right
kind of hitch equipment and brakes, is also important. Be knowledgeable and prepared before
towing anything with a vehicle. (MS Photo)
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Huron Transmission
• Free Estimates • Front Wheel Drives
• 4x4 Service • Domestic and Imports
• Clutch and Differential Repairs
• Specializing in Automatic and Computer Controlled Transmissions
• 2 Year Warranty on Rebuilt Transmissions
35587 Huron Road, RR #6, Goderich
519-524-2501 or 1-866-426-9502
McClinchey
South End Auto
Wayne McClinchey
82991 London Road, South of Blyth
519-523-4424
Get your car or truck ready for
the cold weather ~ book your
Fall & Winter tune-up
• General Repairs & Maintenance
• Brakes • Tune-Ups
• Repairs to all makes and models of cars & trucks
CUSTOM EXHAUST SYSTEMS
& GENERAL REPAIRS
• Auto, light truck & agricultural
maintenance & repairs
• Custom bent exhaust systems
made with precision & pride
• Aluminized & stainless tubing
• Bending up to 3"
• Expanding up to 4"
• Diesel 4" & 5" systems
Bob Jamieson ~ Class A Mechanic
519-482-pipe (7473)
41477 Winthrop Rd.
Londesboro, ON
Carter Cloakey
Licensed Technician
Owner & Operator
84561 Clegg Line, Brussels, ON
519-440-2252