Vehicle towing isn’t a skill that many people need to master, but it can be useful to have. Azteca Towing is a complex process and requires a good understanding of the various factors involved in towing.
For starters, you need to know your truck’s dry weight rating. You can find this number in the owner’s manual.
Many truck drivers don’t understand what the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is and how it relates to vehicle towing. GVWR is the maximum safe loaded weight of the vehicle, including all passengers and cargo. GCWR, on the other hand, is the maximum combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer. This is the number that you must check before hooking up a trailer to your vehicle.
GCWR is the maximum weight of a towing vehicle and its passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment that it might have in addition to a trailer. This includes items such as the vehicle’s engine, its fluids, and other standard equipment. It does not, however, include the weight of a trailer or its tongue.
To calculate a towing vehicle’s GCWR, you must first determine its curb weight. You can do this by taking your vehicle to a weigh station with all of its normal gear in place. Then, subtract the curb weight from the GVWR to find out how much extra “stuff” you can safely add.
It’s important to stay within your GVWR because doing otherwise could reduce your truck’s performance and increase the risk of an accident. It also puts unnecessary strain on the truck’s suspension, brakes, and other components, leading to increased wear and tear and potentially costly repairs down the road.
Another important thing to remember is that if you exceed your vehicle’s GVWR when towing, you can face serious legal consequences. This is because driving an overloaded vehicle increases your risk of a crash and makes it more difficult to control your vehicle on the road.
The GVWR is a crucial number for both truck drivers and fleet managers to know. It helps them keep track of how much they’re hauling and ensures that their vehicles are being used safely. If you are an owner-operator, GVWR compliance is especially critical because it protects your investment and keeps everyone on the roads safer. In addition, following GVWR rules also saves you money by reducing wear and tear on your truck. This, in turn, helps you avoid expensive maintenance bills and repairs.
Trailer Brakes
A trailer brake system is a crucial safety component to consider when shopping for a vehicle towing a camper or other type of trailer. In Arkansas, it is required to have a set of brakes if you are hauling anything more than 1,500 lbs. There are several types of trailer brakes to choose from, but electric is the most common option as it offers a faster and more responsive braking experience than mechanical or hydraulic brakes.
A mechanical brake system uses a cable that pulls a lever against the rotor on the trailer’s wheels to slow it down and stop it. This type of braking is more complicated to install and use than an electric system, so it’s typically used on older trailers that don’t have a built-in electric braking system.
Electric brakes are operated by an electrical signal sent via the standard brake wiring from the vehicle to the trailer’s brake controller. Once the brakes are plugged into the controller, it determines the amount of current to send to the brakes through electromagnets within each brake assembly. The more current that is sent, the greater the braking force.
Most newer trailers have built-in electric braking systems that are more responsive than mechanical or hydraulic brakes. There are many benefits of using an electric braking system, including not having to worry about maintaining or servicing a mechanical brake system. However, it is important to know the Gross Combined Weight Rating of your vehicle and the Gross Tonnage of the trailer that you are towing in order to choose an appropriate amount of current.
If you select a TBC with adjustable gain settings, you can fine-tune the amount of power the TBC applies to the trailer brakes by driving your towed vehicle forward at a steady pace. You can also test the braking by accelerating to about 25 mph and then stepping on the brakes. If you find the trailer doesn’t stop quickly enough, adjust the gain setting to a higher number. If the braking is too strong, lower the setting.
Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)
A trailer brake controller, or TBC, gets electricity from your vehicle and applies a specific amount of braking power to your trailer’s auxiliary brakes. They use electrical circuits and trailer gain settings to regulate braking power, and some have circuits that respond to your vehicle’s momentum while you are towing, while others apply power on a fixed increasing scale or at a set maximum output based on parameters that you choose.
Brake controllers come in two primary types: proportional and time delayed. They have various controls, including an interface for monitoring braking information and buttons for controlling the output and manual activation of the trailer brakes. Most also feature a digital LED readout that indicates the voltage being delivered to the trailer brakes and provides a visual confirmation of a secure electrical connection.
For a smoother, more efficient towing experience, it is important that your TBC synchronizes the braking system of your trailer with that of your vehicle. Adjusting the gain on your TBC helps to ensure this. Start by determining your trailer’s maximum load and setting the initial gain according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, test the braking force by driving at around 25 miles per hour and applying the trailer brakes in a safe location. If the brakes stop too slowly, increase the gain; if they stop abruptly or cause your vehicle to sway, reduce the gain.
Some controllers, such as the CURT mobile brake controller, have a self-calibrating pendulum that automatically senses motion to send the proper signal to your trailer. This type of system is easy to install and requires no user adjustment, while other controllers require a physical calibration using the rotary knob at the top of the interface to set the proper braking capacity for your trailer’s needs.
A time-delayed brake controller works by sending a predetermined amount of power to your trailer based on the weight of your trailer and its anticipated cargo. This style of controller is easier to install, but there will be a delay between pressing your vehicle’s brake pedal and the application of the trailer brakes. You can adjust this timing with a sync switch available on most time-delayed brake controllers.
Tow Dolly
A tow dolly is designed to lift the rear wheels of a front-wheel drive vehicle off the ground, taking some of the load off the towing vehicle. It’s ideal for lighter vehicles and can save money versus a full trailer, especially when transporting the car for short distances. However, tow dollies have some limitations and aren’t compatible with all vehicles. Some four-wheel and rear-wheel drive cars can be hauled with a tow dolly, but the driveshaft must be disconnected.
If you’re considering using a tow dolly, it’s best to consult with an expert to learn more about how the system works and what its limitations are. It’s also wise to get in touch with the manufacturer of the vehicle if you still have it under warranty to see if it’s okay to use a dolly.
Before you hook up your tow dolly, find a clear area and park the vehicle you’re planning on towing as close to it as possible. Shift the vehicle into park and lock the parking brake. You should also have a friend nearby to guide you as you slowly and carefully back the car onto the dolly. Once the vehicle is centered on the dolly, you should wrap any nets, straps or chains around the tires and tighten them. If the dolly comes with clamp-on or magnetic tail lights, make sure to lay these out of the way.
When driving with a tow dolly, you should keep your speed under 55 MPH. Driving at a higher speed can cause the vehicle to sway uncontrollably, which could result in damage and accidents.
Additionally, if your vehicle has any ground effects, spoilers or air dams that hang underneath the car, you should remove them before loading it on the dolly. They’re likely to get caught on the wheels of the tow dolly and cause damage.
Alternatively, an auto transport company can haul your vehicle without any issues. They can transport vehicles of all makes and sizes, including heavy cars, long, short, or modified ones.