Rainy weather is fun for many people, but not everybody is a fan. Even if you enjoy the rain, you might think very differently about it if you have to drive in it. As much fun as playing in the rain is, driving in it is the exact opposite. Between wet and slippery roads and reduced visibility, driving in the rain can be annoying.
If you hook up a trailer to your vehicle, driving in the rain can become downright scary. With all the added weight and extra length, pulling a trailer in the rain can be dangerous. Unless you take the right precautions, there are a lot of risks involved with towing in the rain. If it is your first time pulling a trailer in the rain, this guide on safe towing tips will help you get ready for what is to come.
When it comes to driving in the rain, the real trick is to be cautious. From your maneuvering to inspecting the trailer and vehicle, there are several areas where you must be extra vigilant in rainy conditions. This guide on safe towing tips will cover everything you must know to ensure a streamlined trailer towing experience.
Guide on Safe Towing Tips | How to Pull a Trailer Safely in the Rain
If you have experience pulling a trailer, you already know a thing or two about caution. With a trailer in tow, you must maintain a significant stopping distance and be careful not to turn too quickly or drive too fast. Due to the added weight attached to your vehicle, you must follow these precautions. If you pull it in the rain, you must double down on your precautions. This section of the guide on safe towing tips will cover what you should do.
1. Ensure Your Trailer & Vehicle’s Lights are Working
One of the biggest issues with rain is poor visibility. To make sure other vehicles can see you and vice versa, you must have working lights on your trailer and vehicle. Before you head out, you must inspect the lights on them. The headlights on your truck must work and be powerful enough to help you see properly. On your trailer, the turn signals and brake lights must be working properly.
Even when driving in ideal conditions, you must have working lights on the trailer. To tell other motorists when you are turning, changing lanes, slowing down, or stopping, your trailer must have functioning trailer lights.
2. Inspect The Tires on Your Trailer & Vehicle
Before you even hit the road, you must ensure your trailer and vehicle are ready for the trip. Since the roads will be slippery, road grip will already be a concern. If the tires on your truck or trailer are bare, you will not get the traction necessary for safe driving.
Before heading out, you must examine the tires. If there is too much tread wear, you must replace the tires immediately. Even if your truck’s tires are fine, but your trailer’s tires are worn down, you cannot tow the trailer in the rain. If your trailer’s tires cannot get a good grip on the road, there is a greater risk of disastrous fishtailing and jackknifing.
3. When You Head Out, Drive Slowly & Carefully
If your trailer and truck are in good condition, you can head out. While pulling a trailer, you already know the importance of careful driving. Driving in the rain can be particularly dangerous with the first bit of rain. When it starts raining on a dry road, the dirt and mud mix with the water to create a more slippery surface.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, you need to be extra cautious. When pulling a trailer in the rain, you must drive slowly and steadily. To compensate for reduced road grip, you must also maintain a much longer stopping distance.
4. In Case of Emergency Stops, Never Push Down Hard on the Brakes
If you maintain a longer stopping distance, you might never need to stop suddenly. When there is more weight attached to your vehicle, it will take longer to stop in the rain. If you do not maintain a longer stopping distance, driving in the rain can get very dangerous.
Suppose you are traveling at high speeds, and the vehicle ahead of you suddenly stops. When driving without a trailer, you might probably slam on the brakes for an emergency stop. With a trailer in tow in the rain, slamming on the brakes will not help. Due to the slippery layer of water, the trailer and truck can continue skidding forward even if the tires are stopped.
To prevent this from becoming a possibility, increase your stopping distance. If you maintain three car lengths as the stopping distance in ideal conditions, you should double it when pulling a trailer in the rain.
5. When The Weather Gets Really Bad, Wait it Out
Unless you absolutely must get your cargo to its destination, you should never pull a trailer in the rain. Suppose you have no choice and start driving with a trailer in tow while it is raining. In that case, driving cautiously can get you to your destination.
If it starts raining too hard, you should consider waiting it out. When the rain makes it difficult to see or maintain control, it is better to park on the side of the road and wait for the rain to ease up.
Guide on Safe Towing Tips | Where to Find a Trailer Rental to Tow Safely in the Rain
By following these safe towing tips, pulling a trailer in the rain can be a much better experience. Remember: Safety always comes first. Speaking of safety, the condition of your trailer also plays a big role in ensuring a streamlined towing experience. Since there are a lot of risks involved with towing in the rain, your trailer must be in very good condition. If the trailer you are pulling is not roadworthy, it can lead to accidents in rainy conditions. No matter how careful a driver you are, practicing caution starts with the trailer itself.
If yours is not in good condition or you do not have one at all, you must find a high-quality trailer for rent. Unless you know where to find one, it is almost impossible to rent a trailer in great condition and at affordable rates. Fortunately, there is a way for you to find a good trailer rental in your area at very good rates:
