The Citizen, 1994-04-20, Page 14Experts offers trailering tips for RV drivers
"If you are about to be passed
while towing a trailer, try to hold a
straight course," advises a
recreation vehicle sales manager.
"Extreme changes in steering can
cause your trailer to fishtail,
sometimes so severely you might
lose control."
To minimize trailer sway caused
by the air displaced by a passing
vehicle, edge over in your lane as
far as practical to increase the space
between your rig and the passing
vehicle.
Among some steering tips for
trailer towing is a recommendation
to make extra-wide turns to
accommodate the turning radius of
the trailer.
Because the trailer's wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn
than those of the towing vehicle,
compensate by avoiding soft
shoulders and driving beyond the
normal turning point before starting
to tum.
Other trailer towing tips include:
• In order to maintain a safe
distance behind a vehicle you are
following when you tow a trailer,
allow the distance of at least one
length of your trailer and tow
vehicle combined for each 15 kms
an hour of speed. Avoid high
speeds and sudden stops that might
cause erratic trailer tracking or
fishtailing.
• When passing another vehicle
on the road, always signal well in
advance and allow extra distance to
Consider all sellers
when auto shopping
New or used, buying a car is a
major expense. In fact, for Ameri
cans, it ranks second only to pur
chasing a home. The good news is
that a used car could be your wisest
investment, if you are aware of
today's range of buying options.
When considering a car purchase,
consider all the sellers at your ser
vice. You can make your purchase
from a private seller or a car rental
company, in addition to the tradi
tional car dealer.
Most people don't identify car
rental companies as a source for
cars, yet each year many of the.se
companies sell thousands of current
model cars to consumers and
replace them with newer models.
“Shop around for the best seller,”
advises William Welty, corporate
vice president of National Car
Rental. “Consider each offer,
including type of warranty or guar
antee, plus financing options and
the availability of the car's mainte
nance records for your review.”
He points out that most rental
companies keep each car's com
plete maintenance history on file,
so you can see exactly what you are
buying. This can help eliminate a
lot of the risk involved when buy
ing a used car . And, on the whole,
most rental cars receive better
scheduled maintenance than the
average car.
While some people object to buy
ing a used rental car because the
cars have had a number of different
• If you can't bring a mechanic
with you, ask a friend with some
knowledge of cars to accompany
you. Have your mechanic or friend
stand outside the car to let you
know if the brake, flasher, signal
backup, and running, head and tail
lights work.
• Walk around the car to check
for peeling paint - a sign that the
car may be rusty underneath. Check
the wheel tailgate or trunk area and
under the hood for rusting, too.
Severe rust spots may lead to
expensive repairs.
• Test drive on different road sur
faces at high/low speeds. If the
engine doesn't tum over in a few
seconds, knocks or runs roughly,
the car may need higher octane fuel
or expensive repairs.
• Lift the hood and check the
condition of belts, hoses and bat
tery. Cracks or leaks may mean
decline of the car's overall condi
tion.
• Be alert to any unusual sounds,
vibrations or odors. The transmis
sion should shift smoothly through
all the gears, and a manual clutch
should not vibrate or grab. A shaky
wheel could result from front-end
alignment or suspension problems.
• Stand back to see if the car is
level and conforms to its natural
line. Test shock absorbers by push
ing the car down on each corner
and letting it bounce. Good shock
absorbers only bounce once.
compensate for the reduced
performance with a loaded trailer.
Also be sure you have ample
clearance ahead of the other vehicle
before you return to the driving
lane.
• When climbing an uphill grade
while towing a trailer, shift to a
lower transmission gear to help
reduce strain and possible
overheating on your engine.
If your engine should overheat,
pull off the road and run the engine
at fast idle; do not shut it off. Tum
off the air conditioning, if you've
been using it. When engine
temperature returns to normal,
proceed up the grade in a lower
gear.
• Treat steep downhill grades
(over four per cent) with caution.
Slow to 30 kms an hour or less as
you approach the crest of the grade,
and shift to first (low) gear to
provide engine braking, and help
reduce overheating and wear on
your brakes.
Keep your rig under 40 kms an
hour by periodic, simultaneous
application of the brakes on both
the tow vehicle and the trailer for a
second or two as necessary. Avoid
prolonged brake application to
prevent heat buildup that can cause
a loss of braking effectiveness.
Downgrades of less than four per
cent can be handled by
downshifting to second gear and
keeping your speed below 75 kms
an hour on straightaways.
• When towing a trailer equipped
with brakes in good condition, your
stopping distance should be about
the same as that of the tow vehicle
alone.
But if your trailer is not equipped
with brakes - as is the case with
some light trailers - allow more
time and distance for stopping.
Brake smoothly and gradually to
maximize control and minimize tilt
and sway.For easier steering when
backing a trailer, place hand so it
grips the bottom of the steering
wheel. Move your hand to the right
to tum the trailer to the right...and
to the left to tum the trailer in that
direction. Always back slowly and
make steering changes gradually to
avoid overcorrecting.
Also when parking for more than
a few minutes, wheel chocks or
blocks should be placed ahead and
behind at least one of the trailer's
wheels.
Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer can take considerable toll on the towing
vehicle. Before hooking up be sure to give the towing
vehicle a complete checkup.
We'll Keep Your Motor Running
A regularly scheduled maintenance
program can not only help extend the
life of your car but can save you money
in the long run while boosting your
driving pleasure.
□ See us today for your:
□ Spring Tune-up
□ Brake Work
QAir Conditioner Service
Tires, Balancing
□ General Repairs
HAMM’S CAR SALES
BLYTH 5
Choosing a Collision and Refinish Centre
As the owner of a motor vehicle damaged in an accident, you have the right to choose the
shop where you wish to have your vehicle repaired. This is the Law!
Do I Need More Than One Estimate?
No. Do not waste your time or that of several shops getting estimates. Select a repair
facility that you feel comfortable with, then notify your agent or insurance company, or ask
the shop to make the call on your behalf. Your insurance adjuster may have to inspect the
damage. This can be done at an insurance drive-in claim centre or at the shop you have
chosen.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Before authorizing any repairs notify your insurance company or agent, and tell them where
the damaged vehicle can be inspected.
Is the Work Guaranteed?
drivers, auto mechanics maintain
that the number of drivers makes
no difference. The key factor to a
car's overall condition is mainte
nance.
And most renters are business
people who usually are concerned
with safe driving habits, and don't
treat rental cars any differently than
they do their personal vehicles.
Welty encourages shoppers to
inspect a used car carefully, follow
ing these checkpoints:
For clean air...
You know how hard it can be to
breathe when you're suffering from
a head cold and your nose is all
stuffed up. The same goes for your
car's engine when the oil, air and
fuel filters are clogged with grit and
dirt.
If your average trip is 10 miles or
less, or if you do a lot of driving in
temperature extremes, or a lot of
slop and go driving, then you're
classified as a severe service driver
and these filters will need changing
more frequently.
Experts advise checking your
owner's manual for recommen
dations on changing filters, so you
and your car can breathe a lot more
easily.
Give Your Car or Light
Truck Expert Care
SPRING
CHECKUP
• Oil change includes up to 5L of
Motorcraft 10W30 Premium
Motor Oil plus a new Motorcraft
Standard Oil Filter.
• A thorough inspection of:
Exhaust system, shock
absorbers, steering, front and
rear suspension, battery cables
and connectors, all belts and fluid
levels, air cleaner/filter, radiator
and heater hoses.
• Lubrication of: Hood, door and
trunk hinges and latches
(diesel equipped vehicles extra) 2495
FUEL
INJECTION
SYSTEM
SERVICE
• Inspect throttle body
• Cleaning with Motorcraft fuel
injector cleaner CM1001
• Recommended every
20,000 km
3495
BRIDGE MOTORS LIMITED
Highway #86 East
Wingham 357-3460
Most collision and repair centres guarantee their collision work to some degree, which may
not include the paint job. Ask to see a copy of the shop's guarantee and have any
information you do not understand clarified.
Qualified Collision and Reflnish Centres
Look for signs that indicate repair technician training and certification. Membership in
professional trade associations and the Better Business Bureau indicate that the shop is
keeping up with the latest repair procedures.
Know Your Shop
Make sure the shop you choose:
- Maintains a reliable, professional reputation.
- Is properly equipped and organized to meet today’s more technical
repainng needs.
- Maintains specialized equipment and systems at peak performance.
- Have technicians that are thoroughly trained and certified. Shop cleanliness
can say a lot about the technicians' attitudes, so can friendliness and
atmosphere. If you feel comfortable with the shop and its people, chances
are you'll be satisfied with their work.
Inspect the repairs
Before driving away:
- Check the appearance of the repaired area - close-up and from a distance.
- Examine the paint for colour match, texture and overspray.
- Take a test dnve to check mechanical repairs
- Check that the vehicle is dean.
- If you are not satisfied, mention your concerns immediately.
Dear Potential Customer - If you would like us wk repair your car
y please say so. We would be glad to call your agent or ojoker on your behalf.
McNEIL’S AUTO BODY
Brussels 887-6833