Tips for towing a caravan or trailer with your new Honda
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by: edwardnolan
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Word Count: 601
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 Time: 12:14 AM
If you are about to go on a trip, maybe as part of a family road trip, then it could be time for a little practise towing the trailer.
Using a trailer is not that hard, however if you are not used to the experience then it can be a little daunting. In most cases, drivers find the number one problem to be adjusting to the additional weight of the trailer and learning how to tow it with a new vehicle.
So if you are in this position, here are a few things to remember to ensure you feel a lot more safe in your Honda and even a little more relaxed and confident when towing the trailer, as compiled.
1) Firstly, check the manual. Your caravan or trailer should have a manual or maybe just a safety label on the inside that will tell you what size of vehicle you require to safely tow a caravan. Then check your Honda manual as you don't want to overload your Honda's engine.
2) Next, make sure it has a hitch package. A hitch package is a facility to attach your car batter to your camper or trailer electronic. This system is a must have feature as it supplies the power to lights of caravan or trailer, which lets other drivers know that you are on the road.
3) Determine your viewing restrictions and limits, when the trailer is attached. This could involve buying mirror extensions to ensure that you can see the camper and also make you more aware of anyone else on the road, in the event that they want to overtake. On a road trip the last thing you want to do is have an accident, have to sort out insurance details and even cause serious injuries.
4) Before you set off make sure that you inspect the trailer. This should involve an inspection of where the car attached to the trailer. This should include: checking the pressure of tyres, making sure hitch wiring is long enough for the trailer to make turns, attaching the equalizer and stabilizer, ensuring that the caravan or trailer is balanced and adjust the trailer tongue so that it is in the correct position.
5) Make sure all your belongings are secure even before you start the engine. You really should have an inspection as you don't want get to your holiday destination and discover all of your belongings are broken, all over the floor and smashed to a million pieces.
6) Don't speed down a hill or steady decline. Go to a lower gear and slowly go down the hill, this is perhaps the only way to deal with hills and inclines.
7) When you reverse you should be especially careful and take your time. In the event of steering then the subtlest of moves on the wheel can damage the caravan or camper and destroy the tow bar, making it unusable.
8) Next, you should try and not make any sharp or abrupt turns. Ideally, your driving should be extremely fluid and any steering adjustments should be made earlier rather than later, this is the best way to make sure you keep extra safe on your road trip and during any excursions.
9) Lastly, most Hondas should be appropriate for towing but if you have concerns then you should think about leasing or hiring a more powerful Honda instead. For example, I recently found a Honda leasing deal that was more appropriate for my road trip.
If you stick to this advice then hopefully you really will have the best time as part of your next road holiday, regardless of the location.
About the Author
Honda leasing - I have lots of experience with many systems relating to finance and I'm adept at making calculations as swiftly as possible. I have a head for numbers and have spent my whole life trying to learn more and gain lots of experience in a mixture of financial sectors. I am most eager to step up my game and focus on team building. I'm well placed to make any business shine and improve.
