Gettin' Hitched: Hook up and Go?

Are you trailer savvy? Whether it is taking a boat to the lake or hauling farm equipment here are a few things to make the trip safe.

Weight is the main factor in trailer safety. The total weight affects the sizes of safety
chain, coupler and hitch balls as well as the brake type.

There are two types of trailer hitches.

1. Weight carrying hitches connect the towing vehicle to the
trailer and put the full tongue load on the ball connection.

2. Weight distributing hitches connect the towing vehicle to the trailer and are designed to distribute the trailer load to all the axles of the tow vehicle. (Example: 5th Wheel Hitch)

The Following chart shows the different trailer classes and which hitch type is recommended:

Maximum Recommended Tongue Weights
by Trailer Classification for Trailer Design

C*......MGTW*..............MSTL*........RTH*
1...... 2,000 lbs............... 200............ WCH
.........or less.................... 300........... WDH

2 .......2,001 thru............. 300 ...........WCH
..........3500 ....................500............ WDH

3 .......3,501 thru .....15% MGTW..... WDH
..........5,000

4 .......5,001 thru ......15% MGTW... WDH
.........10,000

*C - Class of Trailer

* MGTW is the Maximum Gross Trailer Weight in pounds to be towed.

*MSTL - Maximum Static Tongue Loads

*RTH - Recommended Type of Hitch

Lights
California law requires trailers to have tail lights, reflectors, brake and license plate lights. Signal lights are required if the tow vehicle lights are hidden. Trailers over 80 inches wide must have clearance lights.

Brakes
In the State of California, brakes are required on trailers with a gross weight of 1500 pounds or more. Any trailer with a gross weight of 1500 pounds manufactured after December 31, 1955 must have breakaway switches. These switches will activate the trailer brakes should the trailer be separated from the towing vehicle.

Safety Chains
Safety chains are intended to keep the towing vehicle and trailer connected in the case of a hitch, coupler or ball failure. Attach the chain to the tongue or front of the trailer and not to the coupler. The proper chain size can be determined on the chart below.

Safety Chain Specifications
Trailer........ESC*........ETSC*............AD*
Class 1 .....2,000........ 2,000............. 3/16"
Class 2 .....3,500 ........3,500............. 1/4"
Class 3 .....5,000........ 5,000............. 5/16"
Class 4... MGTW* ....MGTW*.... 3/8" - 7/16"

ESC - Each Safety Chain

ETSC - Each of 2 Safety Chains

AD - Approximate Diameter of Steel in Link

* MGTW is the Maximum Gross Trailer Weight in pounds to be towed.

Double Chain

Single Chain

Couplers and Balls
Although using a trailer ball and coupler seems easy, below is the sizing chart for the correct trailer ball:

Trailer Classification Ball Diameter
Class 1............1 7/8"
Class 2................. 2"
Class 3................. 2"
Class 4......... 2 5/16"

Safety is important to remember when you design and maintain your trailer.

Information in this article was found at the State of California's website: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt12.htm
and in the Hammerblow Corporation's Trailer Towing Guide.