The key is to line up the trailer so that you are pulling it straight. Maintain a slow speed and use your turn signals.
How to Pull a 33′ travel trailer and turning?
Turning:
– Drive slowly and maintain your lane when approaching an intersection.
– Signal at least 100 feet before turning left or right.
– Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, other vehicles and road hazards such as potholes, debris, construction sites and animals.
– Slow down to make turns. Remember your trailer will follow the same path as your turning vehicle so use caution when making a turn and be prepared for your rig to swing wide depending on how sharp the turn is. Do not pull out in front of other traffic without checking first that you have enough room to complete the maneuver safely.
Straight line driving:
– Maintain a steady speed and keep all parts of your rig in good working order including tires, suspension, etc.
– Don’t overload your truck or trailer by adding extra trailers, campers or cargo unless you have leveled springs under them. Ensure brakes are fully functional before traveling long distances.
– Use extreme caution when passing large trucks because they take longer to stop and their size makes it difficult to see what’s going on ahead of them.
– Keep enough space in front of your car or rig so you can safely stop without hitting the vehicle ahead of you. When stopped, leave a safety cushion between cars at least the length of one trailer. Be extra careful when driving with snow, ice or water on the road surface.
– Avoid distractions such as cell phones; the goal is safe, enjoyable driving for everyone involved!
– Pay close attention to weather reports before any long trip and be prepared for changing conditions by having all necessary supplies including food, water, blankets and warm clothing accessible within your vehicles (in case things go bad). Having an emergency kit is also a good idea.
– Refrain from driving in adverse conditions, such as heavy rain, wind or snow unless you are properly prepared and have someone experienced to accompany you.
– Limit your speed on downgrades; go slowly and let the air out of your tires if they start roaring while traveling downhill.
– Do not use cruise control on long grades because it will cause your engine to overheat.
Tires
Tires – Make sure they are properly inflated and always use good quality tires designed for trailer loading. One of the most common mistakes made is allowing air pressure to fall too low travel. This can easily result in uneven tire wear and if a blowout does occur, the slow leak that results is likely to be much more dangerous than one might expect.
Tow Hooks
Tow hooks – While these are really only required with larger trailers, they do provide an easy way to get another line attached if necessary (or just for good insurance) allowing you to help another vehicle out of a jam or even winch yourself out of trouble.
The tow hooks on my Chevy truck were actually used to help pull my trailer into camp at least once! They also serve well as tie down points when parking your rig in a place where other vehicles may bump it while parking or moving themselves around.
I have found that using two sets of eyes while backing up is even more helpful than using the rear view mirrors. A person watching behind you can tell you if your rig is swinging or not while one at the side can help guide you into a level spot.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve provided all the information you need to know about how to pull a 33′ trailer. From understanding what size truck you should use for pulling trailers and purchasing a hitch ball that fits your vehicle, to knowing which way is best to back up how to hook up a trailer.