Rain Towing Safety Guide
No matter where you’re headed, towing a semi trailer in the rain can be very challenging. It’s important to be prepared for these situations. The staff at Utility Trailer of Washington would be glad to help. Read our rain towing safety guide below for some tips. If you’re in the market for a trailer, swing by and see us to browse our inventory. We’d be glad to assist you!
Check the Lights
Due to reduced visibility, the lights on your trailer as well as your tow vehicle must be working correctly before you try towing in the rain. As you may know, your lights allow other drivers to see you and your trailer better. This also helps them anticipate your movements.
To ensure rain towing safety, you’ll want to perform a few checks before you hit the road. Test the lights and replace any burnt-out bulbs right away. You should also tighten any loose connections. If your lights are dim, you may want to replace them with bright LED bulbs that will burn stronger and longer.
Inspect Your Tow Vehicle
Next, it’s important to confirm your tow vehicle is in good working conditions before you use it to tow a semi trailer. Check the oil, refill your fuel tank, and check the tire pressure. It’s also a good idea to test your windshield wipers and replace them if needed. Additionally, don’t forget to top off the windshield-wiper fluid and coolant. Test the brakes and confirm they’re working properly, too.
Drive Carefully
When driving and towing a trailer, you should reduce your speed to around five to ten miles below the posted speed limit. While you’re at it, increase your following distance so you have enough room to come to a stop. These two techniques will help ensure rain towing safety. It’s no secret that slick roads can be daunting, but with the proper precautions, you’ll get through it.
Other vehicles may attempt to jump into the space you’ve created between yourself and the driver in front of you, so be mindful of this. Always signal your lane changes well in advance of executing them. Try your best to stay in the rightmost lane of traffic as much as you can.
If you think your semi trailer may benefit from a bit of TLC before you start towing, don’t skip it. Whether you perform the maintenance yourself or you chose to bring it in to the experts at our service department, you’ll be glad you did!
We hope this information comes in handy next time you’re stuck towing in the rain. If you have any additional questions about proper rain towing safety, don’t hesitate to contact us. Utility Tailer of Washington is conveniently located in Auburn, Mt. Vernon, and Richland, WA.