Most people are not used to towing trailers. The following information has been provided to make your rental experience an enjoyable and safe one. At the end of this page are some definitions of commonly used terms concerning trailers. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact PV Rentals at 713.667.0665 (800.275.7169). We'll be more than happy to assist you.

ACCELERATION AND PASSING

• The added weight of the trailer can dramatically decrease the acceleration of the towing vehicle, especially if it is at the maximum recommended weight limitation.
• If you must pass a slower vehicle, be sure to allow extra distance. Remember, you also have the added length of the trailer which must clear the other vehicle before you can pull back in.
• Make your pass on level terrain with plenty of clearance.
• If necessary, downshift for improved acceleration.

BACKING

• Back very slowly, with someone outside at the rear of the trailer to help guide.
• Place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction the trailer should turn.
• Make small corrections instead of exaggerated ones -- a slight movement of the steering wheel will result in a much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.

BEFORE STARTING

• A vehicle will handle and respond differently while towing a trailer.
• You should hitch the trailer to the vehicle and practice turning, stopping and backing in an area away from heavy traffic to gain experience in handling the extra weight and length of the trailer.

BRAKING

• Towing a trailer will increase the distance needed to stop.
• Allow considerably more distance for stopping when the trailer is attached.
• When approaching a stop, "lead" with the trailer brakes, if possible (with manual brake controller).
• For correcting trailer side sway, touch the trailer brakes for a moment without using vehicle brakes, and the trailer should settle down and track steadily again.

DOWNGRADES AND UPGRADES

• Downshifting assists braking on downgrades and provides added power at the drive wheels for climbing hills.

DRIVING WITH AN OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION

• Vehicles equipped with an Electronic 4-speed Automatic transmission should operate in Overdrive for best fuel economy.
• When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate the Electronic 4-speed Automatic transmission in Overdrive Off for 3rd gear engine braking. If additional braking is needed, shift into 2nd gear or low.

DRIVING WITH SPEED CONTROL

• When driving uphill, especially with a heavy load, significant speed drops may occur.
• A speed drop of more than 8 to 14 m.p.h. will, by design, cancel the automatic speed control.
• Temporarily use manual control through the vehicle's accelerator pedal until the terrain levels off to maintain the selected speed.

HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATION

• Gasoline engines lose power at the rate of 3% to 4% per 1000 ft. elevation.
• A reduction in GVW and GCW (a recommended 2% per 1000 ft. elevation) will result in improved vehicle performance.

HITCHES

• Load Carrying (Non-Equalizing) Hitch -- Choose a proper hitch and ball and make sure its location is compatible with that of the trailer. Use a good weight carrying hitch which uniformly distributes the trailer tongue loads through the bumper and frame for towing trailers up to 2000 lbs. gross loaded weight with maximum tongue load of 200 lb.
• Load-Equalizing Hitch -- Used in conjunction with a hitch platform (receiver), distributes tongue weight to all towing vehicle and trailer wheels. Required for Class IV applications only. They're generally not used for loads under 5,000 lb. unless a particular vehicle application specifically requires it.
• Equalizer hitch platforms are welded or bolted to vehicle under body. Bolt-on types are  recommended because they can be removed.
• Properly installed bolt-on equalizer hitch platform will not weaken vehicle or under body as heat of welding might.
• Spring bars are connected from hitch to trailer's A-frame, and are adjusted for best towing performance. Lengths of chain are pulled up and tightened to bend spring bars upward which lifts some of the weight from the rear wheels and transfers weight to the other wheels of the vehicle and trailer.

ON THE ROAD

• After traveling about 50 miles or so, stop in a protected location and double check:
   
• Trailer hitch attachment.
• Lights and electrical connections.
• Tire pressure.
• Trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness.
• Check engine oil and coolant level regularly.

PARKING WITH TRAILER

• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. However, if it is necessary to park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels as follows:
   
• Apply the foot service brakes and hold.
• Have another person place the wheel chocks under the trailer wheels on the downgrade side.
• Once the wheel chocks are in place, release foot service brakes, making sure that the chocks are holding the vehicle and trailer.
• Apply the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission into P (PARK) with an automatic transmission and make sure it is latched there. NOTE: With four wheel drive, make sure the transfer case is not in N (NEUTRAL) (where applicable).
   
• To start, after being parked on a grade:
   
• Apply the foot service brake and hold.
• Start the engine with the gearshift selector lever in P (PARK) on automatic transmissions.
• Shift the transmission into gear and release the parking brake.
• Release the foot service brakes and move the vehicle uphill to free the wheel chocks.
• Apply the foot service brakes and hold while another person retrieves the chocks.

SAFETY CHAINS

• Always use safety chains when towing. Safety chains are used to retain connection between the towing and towed vehicle in the event of separation of the trailer coupling or ball.
• Cross chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for turning corners.
• See the vehicle's Owner Guide for safety chain attachment information.
• When using a frame-mounted trailer hitch, attach the safety chains to the frame-mounted hitch using the recommendations supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
• For rental trailers, follow rental agency instructions for proper hookup of safety chains.

TIRE PRESSURE

• Under-inflated tires get very hot and can lead to tire failures and possible loss of vehicle control.
• Over-inflated tires can cause uneven tire wear.
• Tires should be checked often for conformance to cold inflation pressures recommended on the Safety Compliance Certification Label for original equipment tires.

TONGUE WEIGHT

• The amount of the trailer's weight that presses down on the trailer hitch. Too much tongue weight can cause suspension/drivetrain damage, and can press the vehicle down in back causing the front wheels to lift to the point where traction, steering response and braking are severely decreased. Too little tongue weight can actually lift the rear of the vehicle, reducing rear-wheel traction and causing instability which may result in tail wagging or jackknifing.
• For towing trailers up to 2000 lb. gross loaded weight, the maximum tongue load should not exceed 200 lb.
• For towing trailers over 2000 lbs., the tongue load should be 10-15% of trailer weight.
• For fifth-wheel trailers, the tongue load should be approximately 25% of trailer weight.
• To measure actual tongue load, disconnect the trailer and place only the tongue, with the coupler at hitch ball height, on a scale. If the tongue load exceeds the upper weight limit, move more of the trailer contents rearward to achieve the recommended tongue load. If the tongue load is less than the lower limit, shift the load forward.

TRAILER BRAKES

• Most states require brakes on trailers weighing over 1500 lb. when loaded. For your safety, PV Rentals' urges that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle.
• There are basically three types of trailer brake activation:
   
• Electronically Controlled Electric -- Provides automatic and manual control of electric trailer brakes. Requires the vehicle to be equipped with a controlling device, and additional wiring to supply the electrical power.
• Hydraulically Controlled Electric -- Trailer brakes are applied in proportion to brake pedal pressure. Trailer brake system should not be connected directly to vehicle's brake system.
• Surge (Hydraulic) -- Independent hydraulic brakes activated by a master cylinder at the junction of the hitch and trailer tongue.
• Be sure the trailer brakes conform to Federal and local regulations

TRAILER LAMPS

• Make sure the trailer is equipped with lights that conform to Federal and local regulations. Don't connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of the vehicle.

WEIGHT CONSIDERATIONS

• Probably the single most critical factor in trailer towing is weight, since overloading a vehicle can put you in danger by reducing braking capability. It also places undue stress on components and can lead to shortened service life or failure. And, you must always remember that added weight of the trailer decreases the acceleration of the towing vehicle.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

• For optimum handling, the trailer must be properly loaded and balanced.
• Keep center-of-gravity low for best handling.
• Approximately 60% of the cargo weight should be in the front half of the trailer and 40% in the rear (within limits of Tongue Weight).
• Load should also be balanced from side to side for good handling and proper tire wear.
• Load must be firmly secured to prevent shifting during cornering or braking, which could result in a sudden loss of control.

Trailer Towing Definitions

Ball (Hitch Ball) - The Hitch Ball is the connection from the hitch to the trailer. There are many elements in determining the correct hitch ball: mounting platform thickness; hole size; coupler socket size; and the most important Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR). The platform must be at least 3/8" thick and the hole size must not be more than 1/16 of an inch larger in diameter than the threaded shank. Every time a vehicle is to tow a trailer, be sure to check the nut and lock washer to make sure it is fastened securely.

Ball Mount - The ball mount is placed inside the hitch opening which is mounted to the vehicle. Be sure to check the ball mount before towing to make sure a hitch pin is placed through the hole of the ball mount. The hitch pin secures the ball mount inside the tube of the receiver hitch when towing.

Style Type #1 Ball mount: This style of ball mount is needed when the trailer and vehicle are equally level.

Style Type #2 Ball mount: This style of ball mount is needed when your trailer and vehicle are NOT equally level.

How to determine what size drop or rise is needed for the ball mount? To determine the size drop or rise for your style type #2 ball mount: (style type #1 is only for equal level vehicle and trailer) First level the trailer and measure from the ground up to the top ID. of receiver tube opening. Second, measure your vehicle from the ground up to the bottom of the trailer coupler. Third take the difference from both measurements and this will determine the size of drop or rise you need.

Base Curb Weight - Weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo or any optional equipment

Cargo Weight - Includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight -- including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.

Coupler - The coupler is the component that is placed over the hitch ball that connects the vehicle to the trailer. Be sure that the coupler size matches the size of the hitch ball and that the coupler handle is securely fastened. To determine the size hitch ball needed, you will need to know the size of coupler that is on the trailer. 

Gross Axle Weight (GAW) - The total weight placed on each axle (front and rear). To determine The Gross Axle Weights for the vehicle and trailer combination, take the loaded vehicle and trailer to a scale. With the trailer attached, place the front wheels of the vehicle on the scale to get the front GAW. To get the rear GAW, weigh the towing vehicle with trailer attached, but with just the four wheels of the vehicle on the scale. You get the rear GAW by subtracting the front GAW from that amount

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) - The total weight each axle (front and rear) is capable of carrying. These numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar. The total load on each axle (GAW) must never exceed its GAWR

Gross Combination Weight (GCW) - The weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer. It is the actual weight obtained when the vehicle and trailer are weighed together on a scale.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) - The maximum allowable weight of the towing vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and passengers) that the power train can handle without risking costly damage. The measured GCW must never exceed the GCWR. (Important: The towing vehicle's brake system is rated for safe operation at the towing vehicle's GVWR -- NOT the GCWR. Separate functional brake systems should be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lb. when loaded).

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) - The GTW is a combination of the weight of the trailer and cargo inside. This is the total weight of both elements. Never exceed the weight capacity (GTW) of the trailer hitch.  
 
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - Base Curb Weight plus actual Cargo Weight plus passengers. It is the actual weight that is obtained when the fully loaded vehicle is driven onto a scale.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle (Base Curb Weight plus options plus cargo plus passengers). The vehicle's measured GVW must never exceed the GVWR. The GVWR along with other maximum safe vehicle weights, as well as tire, rim size and inflation pressure are shown on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar.

Hitch (Receiver Hitch, Trailer Hitch) - A Receiver Hitch is the primary device that is attached to the rear of the vehicle that allows you to tow. There are six classes of hitches. It is very important to choose the correct class of receiver hitch. Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight will determine the hitch that is needed. Don't exceed the lowest rating of any component of your towing system. Below is the classification system used for hitches.

• Class 1 - 1000 to 2500 GTW
• Class 2 - 3500 GTW
• Class 2.5 - 4,000 GTW
• Class 3 - 10,000 WD/6,000 GTW
• Class 4 - 12,000 WD/8,000 GTW
• Class 5 - 14,000 WD/10,000 GTW

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight - Is the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a towing vehicle with mandatory options, no cargo and the driver only (150 lb.).

Payload - Combined, maximum allowable weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry. It is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the Base Curb Weight.

Safety Chains - Safety chains are a requirement and should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Always leave enough slack so the vehicle/trailer can turn. Never allow the safety chains to drag on the ground and never attach the safety chains to the bumper.

Sway Control - The Sway Control is a device used to reduce the lateral movements of the trailer that are caused by the wind. This works along with a weight distribution hitch. Don't use this on a class 1 or 2 hitch or with surge brakes.

Tongue Weight (TW) - Tongue weight is the downward force that is exerted on the hitch ball by the coupler. Tongue weight will vary depending on where the load is positioned in relationship to the trailer axle(s). To measure the Tongue Weight, use either a commercial scale or a bathroom scale with the coupler at towing height.

Weight Distribution (WD) - A Weight Distribution hitch is used to balance the weight of the cargo between the front and rear wheels throughout the trailer which will allow for better steering, braking, and level riding.