Towing & Trailer Hitches
by
Chux Trux
Kansas City’s Leading Truck Accessory Dealer
Table of Contents Acknowledgements ---------------------------------------------------- 2 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Towing and Safety Requirements ---------------------------------- 5 Selecting the Correct Trailer Hitch --------------------------------- 9 Determining Towing Capacity Needed ----------------------- 16 Trailer Wiring -------------------------------------------------------------- 24 Installing a Trailer Hitch ----------------------------------------------- 30 Hooking up the Trailer ------------------------------------------------ 33 Safety ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Trailer Brakes ------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Disclaimer This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge but not guaranteed. Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the trailer and hauling recommendations of your vehicle’s manufacturer.
Copyright © 2013 by Chux Trux Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
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Acknowledgements
CURT Manufacturing, LLC Stands for EXCELLENCE in products and people
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
This book, like most books would not
editor for Towing 101. Without Marcia’s
be possible without the support of
support and assistance this book would
many. We would be remiss in not
not be possible.
acknowledging the role CURT
CURT manufacturing is the leader in
Manufacturing played in developing
towing products at Chux Trux. From trailer
much of the content and supplying
hitches, to trailer balls, to specialized
many of the images in this book.
towing equipment CURT has it all.
A special thanks and “hats off” to Marcia
We strongly encourage you to turn to
Adelman of CURT manufacturing. Maria
CURT for all your towing products
was the original project manager and
requirements.
2
Introduction
Campers Boats Fifth Wheels Motorcycles ATV’s Horse Trailers
Sooner or later every car or truck
the lake, the mountains, or the race
enthusiast will be faced with towing a
track.
trailer. Whether it’s a fifth wheel
There really isn’t anything difficult or
camper, towing a boat, towing a
especially tricky about towing, you just
horse trailer, a trailer full of
need to understand the basics, make
motorcycles or ATV’s, or a towing
sure you have the proper equipment for
race car, you’re going to want to get
the task at hand, and go about using it
where you need to go safely and
with safety foremost in your mind. So let’s
without stress. And really, there shouldn’t be any stress about towing. You get enough of that at work, (some of you may get that at home too, if you know what we mean!) you sure
look at what you need to know before you hook up that trailer hitch for the first time. Be Prepared Right up front you have to be prepared
don’t need it when you’re on your way to Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
3
for the changes in the way you must
wheel or gooseneck travel trailer has
speeds, or especially in an emergency
drive. Your vehicle is going to handle
different requirements than a small,
situation? As you get into larger trailers
completely differently with any sort of
relatively lightweight boat trailer. The type
most will come with some sort of braking
trailer tagging along behind you. You are
of trailer you need will determine the type
system of their own that can be controlled
now driving a vehicle that is much longer
of hitch you need. A receiver hitch will
from the tow vehicle.
and heavier than what you’ve been
suffice for many types of tag along trailers,
used to. It may be slower too and it will
but if you are pulling a large camper or
not stop as quickly as it does without that
racecar hauler you may need a
trailer. Changing lanes on the interstate
gooseneck hitch or 5th wheel hitch.
takes more care now to make sure you
Another consideration is where you plan to
have enough space behind you and
go with your trailer. Pulling a load of ATV’s
there’s just a lot more you have to think
out to that special place in the desert or
about.
the mountains is very different from cruising
Fortunately, if your tow vehicle is properly equipped and the trailer and tow vehicle are well matched, towing is not only less stressful than you might think, but it will actually be fun and just as easy as normal driving. Determine the Type of Hitch Before you can begin to select the right trailer hitch and other towing gear for your vehicle you have to know what sort of trailer you’ll be pulling. A huge 5th
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
down the interstate with a camper.
Many new pickup trucks can be ordered with a towing package. This will include things like a heavy duty cooling system, heavy duty transmission, some additional electrical circuits for the trailer lights, an appropriate hitch, of course, and a brake controller for the trailer’s brakes. All of these things can also be retro fitted to your current vehicle if necessary.
Your Tow Vehicle Your tow vehicle and how it is equipped also plays a major role in the safety and
Touching the Surface
stress level of your towing. You can pull a
We’ve only just touched the surface. There
trailer with almost anything on the road,
is a lot more to towing safely and legally.
but even more important is stopping the
Read on because Chux Trux is the best
tow vehicle and trailer combination. Are
place to find answers to all your towing
the brakes on your tow vehicle up to the
questions.
task of bringing the combined weight of your rig to a safe stop from freeway
– Chux Trux
4
Towing Requirements and Safety
Towing 101 Towing101
Towing a trailer or towing a boat isn’t
basics of towing and define some terms
exactly rocket science. You don’t
and give you the knowledge you need to
need a PHD in physics or a Masters in
make towing a pleasant experience.
geometry or even a high school education. (Although a GED would be nice!) But you do need to know what you’re doing and what components you need to have in order to get the job done safely and efficiently. Towing 101
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
There is a whole range of components and parts involved in setting up a towing package and you need to know the proper names and uses of these various components before you hit the road. The Vehicle We’ll begin with the tow vehicle itself. This can be a car, truck, or SUV, but whatever it is, it’s important that you know and
So that’s what we’re all about this time; a
understand what its specific towing
little Towing 101 for you to cover the
capabilities and limits are. You can find 5
much of this information in the owner’s
out how to fire up the stereo, then tossed it
manual that came with the vehicle. That’s
in the glove box never to see the light of
that little book that you thumbed through
day again. There’s some useful information
when you bought the car or truck, figured
in there so go dig it out and see what it has
to say. Below is a table of common vehicles and their towing capacities.
cle Towing Capacity Vehicle
Model
Maximum Towing Capacity
Small Car
Cobalt, Taurus, Avenger
Under 1,000 pounds
Full-size Car
Impala, Crown Victoria
1,000–2,000 pounds
Mid-size CUV
Edge, Taurus, Equinox
2,000–4,000 pounds
Mid-size Truck or SUV
Ranger, Trailblazer, Dakota
3,000–7,200 pounds
Full-size ½ ton Truck or SUV
Expedition, F150, Tahoe, Durango hybrid
5,000–11,200 pounds
¾ or 1 ton Truck or SUV
F250, Silverado HD, Ram 2500, F350, Ram 3500
10,000–16,000 pounds
Commercial Truck
F450
Class C or A RV
Marathon, Jamboree
16,000–24,600 pounds with a 5th wheel
Up to 10,000 pounds
Note – Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to be certain of your vehicle’s weight limits.
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The Trailer
haulers, flat bed trailers, 5th
are a minimum. Large enclosed
The next component to
wheel or gooseneck trailers,
car haulers, livestock trailers,
consider is the trailer itself. A
utility trailers, livestock trailers,
and RV should also have marker
trailer is defined as any
etc. If it can be pulled down the
lights at the top rear and front
road by another vehicle, it’s a
and along both sides.
wheeled object that is designed to be pulled by
trailer!
Wiring Harness
another vehicle. Pretty simple
Lighting
and straightforward isn’t it?
Next on the list is lighting. All
without wires. The wiring harness
Trailers range from those little box
trailers are required by law to
you need to connect the front
trailers you can rent up to huge
have the same lights as the tow
of the trailer to the back of the
cross country rigs. But what we’re
vehicle, working at the same
tow vehicle is available in
concerned with mostly are travel
time as the tow vehicles lights.
several standard formats and if
trailers, boat trailers, race car
Taillights, brake and turn signals
your vehicle came from the
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
You can’t have working lights
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factory ready to tow, there’s already a
breakaway cables, if your trailer is so
connection at the back for the trailer
equipped. The pin itself is usually shaped a
lights.
little like a hockey stick and the clip is a hairpin design like the hood pins on a race
Nobody wants to think about the
car.
possibility of the trailer breaking free from the tow vehicle but it can happen.
Hitch You can’t tow anything if you don’t have a hitch. Basically the hitch is the point
That’s what safety chains are for. These Tow Ball
where the trailer is attached to the tow
So naturally the next component is the ball
vehicle. There are as many types of
itself. This is half of the flexible joint between
hitches as there are tow vehicles and
the tow vehicle and the trailer that enables
trailers so the subject of selecting the
it to operate over bumps and dips in the
proper hitch will take up an entire section
road and navigate around corners. Tow
of its own.
balls come in different sizes, usually 1-7/8”,
There are a few components on the hitch such as the ball mount. This is also It’s the component that slides into the
joint is the coupler. The coupler fits over the
hitch receiver and has a mounting pad
ball and rotates around it as the tow
for the tow ball.
vehicle moves around curves and over
convenient place to attach any
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
attached between the trailer and the tow vehicle so they cross under the hitch. That prevents the hitch from digging into the roadway at speed.
the weight of the trailer you plan to pull. The other half of that all important flexible
in the receiver hitch and also is a
are your backup plan. They should be
2”, and 2-5/16” diameters depending on
sometimes called a draw bar or stinger.
The hitch pin and clip hold the ball mount
Safety Chains
dips and bumps. The size of the coupler must match the size of the ball for safe operation. NEVER tow with mismatched coupler and ball sizes.
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Selecting the Correct Trailer Hitch
If you watched a lot of movie or TV westerns you may have heard the term; “. . . hitch up the wagon.” Well these days, before we can hitch up our wagons, or trailers, we have to have the right hitch on our “horse” or tow vehicle. What do you mean the right kind of hitch? Isn’t a hitch a hitch? Uh, no, as a matter of fact there are as many different types of trailer hitches as there are trailers and ways to use them so let’s go over a few of them.
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Types of Trailer Hitches
NOTE: Always keep in mind that just because the hitch is rated to haul a certain amount of weight, doesn’t mean your tow vehicle can handle the weight. Hitches do NOT increase your capacity to tow extra weight. Consult your owner’s manual for your vehicles capacity and never exceed that amount. It’s a “weakest link” scenario.
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This diagram on the previous page gives you a brief overview of a few hitch types and what they are used for. The "WC" in the chart stands for "Weight Carrying," when used with a basic ball mount and coupler. The "WD" ratings are higher and those are the limits if you use a Weight Distributing ball mount. "TW" stands for Tongue Weight, which is the most weight you can place on the coupler based on a fully loaded trailer. These are the most commonly used trailer hitches, you can also find both heavier and lighter duty options.
Bumper Mounts Most trucks and SUVs today have some sort of hole in the center of the bumper that will accept a tow ball. This is the most basic, and lightest duty, form of trailer hitch. As long as you don’t exceed 100 pounds of tongue weight and 1,000 pounds of trailer weight, this is fine. A ball and a little wiring is all you need. You just have to be absolutely sure you don’t exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s capacity recommendations.
Bumper Mounts
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Bumper Hitch If sooner or later you need to tow different trailers with different size couplers, a light duty solution is the bumper hitch like this one made by CURT. This hitch bolts to your vehicle's bumper and provides a standard 2” ball mount receiver and attachment points for the safety chains. Don’t confuse this, however, for a regular receiver style hitch. You are still limited to the weight bearing capacity of your tow vehicle’s bumper. And not every vehicle can use this type of hitch.
Class 1– 2 Receiver Hitch Class 1 and 2 receiver trailer hitches are light duty receiver type trailer hitches that are generally only used on passenger cars and light weight, crossover SUVs. This type of hitch uses a smaller 1-¼” receiver tube for the ball mount. Class 1 hitches are rated to tow trailers up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds with 200 pounds of tongue weight, and Class 2 can handle 3,500 pound trailers with 350 pounds of tongue weight. These hitches do not increase the total weight that a given vehicle may be able to tow. Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
Class 3 Receiver Hitch
Class 4 – 5 Receiver Hitch
Class 3 receiver trailer hitch is the most
Class 4 and 5 receiver trailer hitches are
common trailer hitch found on full size pick-
the heaviest-duty trailer hitches that can
ups and SUVs. Factory equipped vehicles
be installed at the rear of a tow vehicle.
usually have a Class 3 trailer hitch.
A Class 4 weight carrying trailer hitch can
Class 3 receivers can handle up to 8,000
carry 10,000 pounds and 1,000 pounds of
pound trailers and 800 pounds of tongue
tongue weight, or up to 12,000 and 1,200
weight with a weight carrying ball mount, or
pounds if you use a weight distributing
up to 12,000 pounds and 1,200 pounds of
trailer hitch. Class 5 receivers can handle
tongue weight with a weight distributing
up to 14,000 pounds and 1,400 pounds
hitch. This most likely exceeds the towing
tongue weight. This most likely exceeds the
capacities of your vehicle.
towing capacities of your vehicle. 12
Fifth Wheel Hitch These hitches are mounted in the bed of pick-up trucks and they are very similar in design to the hitches used by commercial 18-wheelers. Fifth wheel trailer hitches can handle trailers that range from 16,000 to 30,000 pounds and up to 5,000 pounds of pin weight (tongue weight), depending on the design of the hitch, and the rating by the manufacturer.
Gooseneck Hitch Like a 5th wheel hitch, a gooseneck hitch mounts in the bed of your pick-up over the rear axle. This type of hitch is most commonly used for livestock trailers, car and toy haulers, and industrial or commercial trailers. A gooseneck hitch can handle up to about 30,000 pound trailers with 6,000 pounds of tongue weight. Some gooseneck hitches can be folded down out of the way when not in use to enable normal loading of the truck bed. Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
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Weight Distributing Hitches A weight distributing hitch increases the towing capacity and stability over a weight carrying trailer hitch. Sometimes called a “load equalizing hitch� a weight distributing trailer hitch spreads the tongue weight of the trailer over all four wheels of the tow vehicle.
Any vehicle with a Class 3-5 receiver can use a weight distributing hitch. The key difference between weight distributing hitch and a weight carrying hitch is the long rods called "spring bars" that exert leverage on your tow vehicle's frame, transferring some of the tongue weight to the vehicle's forward wheels. This prevents heavy trailers with high tongue weights from lifting the front wheels and overloading the rear wheels. Weight distributing hitches can also accept the addition of sway control bars.
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Front Mount Hitches Finally we come to the front mount trailer hitch. This hitch mounts, obviously, to the front of the vehicle. Front mount trailer hitches are extremely handy for launching a boat at the local boat ramp. These are available in most weight classes and can be mounted on almost any pick-up, van, or SUV. The leading manufacturer of trailer hitches discussed here is CURT Manufacturing and that is the primary brand sold and installed by Chux Trux. This is because CURT hitches are built right here in the USA, install correctly, and are designed to be tough and safe. If you live in the Kansas City area, Installation is usually within 48 hour. For a slight extra charge, CURT makes hitches powder-coated in custom colors. (CURT is the only manufacturer that provides this.) Chux Trux stocks more hitches than any of our competition and we have a hitch for almost any vehicle on the road. So give Chux a call today and get the best trailer hitches along with expert installation and service.
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Determining Towing Capacity Needed You wouldn’t try to tow a 24’ fully loaded camper trailer with a Smart
“Vivamus et metus.”
the road. The best place to find out about a
car. (Well, one or two of you might.)
vehicle’s towing capacity is the owner’s
But on the other hand you don’t need
manual. In it you will not only find out
a 7.3L diesel F-250 dually to tow your
what the vehicle can tow, but also
12’ aluminum boat down to the lake
detailed instructions and limitations and,
either. So how do you know just how
very often, some good safe towing tips.
much towing capacity you need?
For example, the manual for a 2000 Ford
Well, that’s what we’re here for pal, to
Crown Victoria contains the following:
help you figure these things out. So just relax and read on.
“Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. . . Towing a trailer places
No matter what you drive, you have to
an additional load on your vehicle's
be sure that you completely understand
engine, transmission, brakes, tires and
what its towing capacity is. Exceeding the recommended capacity not only puts unnecessary strain on your engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and cooling system but it can create some
suspension. Inspect these components carefully after towing. Your loaded trailer should weigh no more than 907 kg (2,000 lbs.).”
very dangerous situations for you out on
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Minimum Vehicle Requirements for Trailer Towing
Source: 2005 Jeep Liberty manual
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Certification Plate Acronyms After you’ve checked the owner’s manual you should also look at the compliance certification plate. This is usually a sticker on the door jamb. It will contain several acronyms like "GVR," "GAW," and "GCWR”. Here’s what they mean; GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) This is your vehicle’s standard curb weight, plus an estimate of the typical load of passengers, fuel and stuff. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) This is the maximum safe weight for your vehicle. Exceeding this weight will place stress on your engine, transmission, and brakes beyond what they are designed for. GCW (Gross Combination Weight) This is the combined weight of your vehicle and the trailer (Not the tongue weight, but the total weight.) This number cannot exceed the GCWR. GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) This is the maximum safe weight of your vehicle and trailer when both are fully loaded with people, fuel, and all your stuff. And like the GVWR above; exceeding this weight will place stress on your engine, transmission, and brakes beyond what they are designed for. GAW (Gross Axle Weight) Gross Axle Weight. This is the amount of weight that carried by each of the vehicle’s axles. They will be different based on engine weight and trailer tongue weight capacity. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) This is the maximum safe weight you can place on the front and rear axles. And just like the other two weight ratings above, exceeding these numbers will damage your vehicle and create dangerous driving conditions.
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Determining Trailer Weight and Capacity Once you have determined your vehicle’s weight and towing capacities you should turn next to your trailer’s weight. A new trailer will have a VIN plate that has not only the trailer’s serial number and also lists the trailer’s weights and capacities. It should look like the image on the right. On the next page we will provide you with typical trailer weights for commonly used utility trailers.
Safety chains properly crossed under the hitch
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Typical Trailer Weights for Common Utility Trailers
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Typical Trailer Weights
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Missing Trailer VIN Plate
Finally you need to know the tongue weight of your trailer. You can
If you have a homebuilt trailer or you can’t find the VIN plate
buy special tongue weight scales for about $150, but unless you tow
on your trailer the best thing to do is have your trailer weighed.
many different trailers with varied loads very often, this probably isn’t
You can do this at some RV dealers, state highway weigh
necessary.
stations, refuse transfer stations, and commercial truck stops. Be sure to call ahead first and check.
If you think you have less than 300 pounds of tongue weight you can use a common bathroom scale. But for more than 300 pounds you will have to set up a rig like this:
Using a Bathroom Scale With this set-up, you take the reading off the bathroom scale and triple it to get your tongue weight. If this isn’t practical for you, you can usually take your trailer to your local trailer dealer where he can determine the tongue weight for you.
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
You can change your tongue weight by changing the way your trailer is loaded. More weight in front of the axles will increase tongue weight, while moving the load to the rear will reduce it. You do not want so much of your load to the rear that you have negative tongue weight. (Caution: you do not want a negative tongue weight)
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Tongue weight has a large affect on how your combined rig handles going down the road. Too much tongue weight will cause your vehicle to sag at the coupler putting more strain on the vehicle. Too much sag could even reduce the weight on the front wheels to the point that the ability to safely steer is reduced. Not enough tongue weight will cause the trailer to sway and wander
Tongue weight has a large affect on how your rig handles on the road.
and that also creates a dangerous driving condition. You want to shoot for a tongue weight that is about 10% of your total trailer weight. This is what most hitches are designed for to ensure safety.
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Trailer Wiring
Let there be light. And there was wiring and connectors and bulbs and it was good. Yes kiddies, this time
Wires Wiring “Vivamus Conventions et metus.” Wiring Connections
we’re going to talk all about trailer wiring and electrical stuff. I know some of you will go running screaming from the room at the mere mention of
tow, even for a short trip across town. Of course all new trailers come with lights and wiring already installed from the factory. But if you built your own trailer or you bought a used one that has lights missing or broken, any good trailer or RV dealer will have all of the parts and kits you
the word electrical, but trust us it really
need to get that trailer on the road safe
isn’t all that hard.
and legal.
If for no other reason than not getting stopped by the cops, you must have working lights on your trailer just like you
The following pages will provide you with a great understanding of the conventions used in wiring your trailer.
do on your tow vehicle. And for your safety, and the safety of the other vehicles on the road, all of those lights should work properly or you shouldn’t
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Standard Wiring Conventions The wiring connector for most trailers has between 4 and 7 posts
If you stick to this format your trailer will be compatible with
or blades, depending on how it’s equipped, to control basic
most trailers and tow vehicles out there. If you’re building a
lighting and brake functions. Smaller trailers use a four wire flat
trailer you can buy a complete wiring kit for it and that will be
plug that controls taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Larger
the easiest and quickest way to get your trailer wired.
trailers will have a connector with 5, 6, and 7 wires to control
Tow Vehicle Connection
backup lights, electric trailer brake control, and auxiliary power.
Once your trailer’s wiring is good to go the next thing to think
Below is a simple chart showing the standard color codes of the
about is the connection to the tow vehicle. Almost all trucks,
various trailer connectors.
vans, and SUVs built since the 1990’s have factory installed
Standard Wiring Color Codes for Various Trailer Connectors 4-Way
5-Way
6-Way
7-Way
Green
Yellow
Brown
White
Red
Blue
Purple
Right Turn & Brake
Left Turn & Brake
Tail Lights
Ground
Backup Lights
Electric Brakes
Auxiliary Power
wiring and plugs for lighting and, in some cases, even a connector
basic electrical flow. But if you aren’t absolutely confident in your
in the cab for a trailer brake controller. This makes hooking up your
wiring skills you can always take it to a professional and have the
trailer simple as dirt.
work done for you.
But if you need to add some wiring and connectors it’s not that hard to splice into your vehicle’s existing wiring, IF, and that’s a HUGE “IF” you take your time, read directions and understand Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
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Standard Trailer Connectors
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Most Common Wiring Plug Locations
If you don’t have a factory installed towing connector, here is a chart showing the most common locations for wiring plugs that will help you tap into the vehicle’s wiring.
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Common Trailer Connectors
7-way vehicle connector
If your trailer is equipped with
7-way RV blade trailer connector
4-way flat wiring with both connectors
wiring you need is right there in
You will most likely have to
the taillights. The exception will
remove one taillight to gain
be the connection for electric
access to the wiring and the
trailer brakes. However, if you
color codes on the vehicle will
have a vehicle that is not
probably be different than the
factory equipped for towing
trailer plug. The best thing to do
you will need to change more
is to get the wiring schematic for
than just lighting before towing
your vehicle. (These are
If you’re equipping an older
a trailer that is large enough to
sometimes available on line.) If
vehicle for towing most of the
have electric brakes.
you have a voltmeter that is also
electric brakes you should use the 7-way RV blade connector even if you don’t have back-up lights or auxiliary power. If you don’t have electric trailer brakes you should be okay with just the flat four-way connector.
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a good way to determine which wire is which. Tag and Label Remember to carefully tag and label each wire so you can keep track of what you’re doing and use a good quality tap connector like these to make those splices.
Tap Connectors
Bad ground connections are the most common cause of trailer wiring problems. A bad ground can show up as an overall lighting failure even when the voltmeter says you've got current. Worse, a bad ground can create an intermittent failure, causing your lights to flicker as you drive down the road. Pick an existing factory ground connection (where other ground wires are connected) or make sure your connection is solidly into the vehicle's chassis.
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Installing a Trailer Hitch
Do It Your Self Or “Vivamus Hire the Experts et metus.”
If you’re the do-it-yourself type and
a trailer hitch you can still do the
your truck or RV doesn’t have a trailer
installation yourself. A typical heavy-
hitch it really isn’t that big a deal to
duty ½-inch chuck handheld drill
install one yourself. Most of the trailer
should handle the job.
hitches and receiver hitches on the market today are of the “no drill” type.
You may have to move the tailpipe temporarily, or drop the spare tire, and possibly make cuts in the rear fascia,
In other words the trailer hitches are
or fish bolts through the vehicle frame
designed to fit into holes that are there in
with a thin wire, depending on your
your tow vehicle’s frame from the factory
application, but none of that is terribly
so all you really need are a few basic
difficult. You just need to take your
hand tools that you probably already
time, read the instructions that came
have and a couple of hours on a
with the trailer hitch carefully, and
Saturday. Even if your tow vehicle
work safely.
doesn’t have the holes required to install Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
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A typical trailer hitch installation begins
bolts vertically down through the frame,
first before doing anything else. Once all
with getting the tow vehicle high
go ahead and put those in place first.
of the bolts are in place tighten them all
enough to comfortably work under it.
It’s a lot easier now than when trying to
to the recommended specs with a
Always use good quality jack stands
hold the hitch in place while you feel
torque wrench.
with the appropriate weight rating any
around for the hole in the frame.
time you work under a vehicle.
Now you can move the trailer hitch into
Next locate all of the holes you need to
place. Some hitches can be very heavy,
mount the hitch. If you will be drilling
50 pounds or more, so be sure to use a
new holes, check the hitch instructions
buddy or a jack of some sort, or both, to
for their locations and use the drilling
help you lift it into place and hold it
template if the instructions include one.
there while you start the bolts and nuts.
If the application requires dropping
Get at least one bolt on each side snug
Go online & look at the installation instruction sheet for the hitch you are selecting & then decide if this is something you should tackle or leave to the experts.
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Installing the Ball Mount Once your new receiver hitch is installed you can turn your attention to the ball mount. The trailer and tow vehicle should both be level when connected and you can get an adjustable ball mount to compensate for any difference.
Installing the ball mount is no different than installing the hitch receiver.
Installing this type of ball mount is no different than installing the hitch receiver. You want to use the hardware that came with the mount and you also want to make sure the ball mount extends out far enough from the tow vehicle for safety, but no so far that the increased leverage raises the tongue weight.
Thread locking treatments such as Loc-Tite are a great idea. Even if your hardware kit includes lock washers or locking nuts, it never hurts to have a little extra security. Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
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Hooking Up the Trailer
Trailer Hook Up “Vivamus Check List et metus.”
Want to see something hilarious?
she needs to know exactly where you
Watch someone who’s never towed
want the trailer to go and the signals
a trailer try to direct somebody else
need to be worked out beforehand so
trying to back up a trailer! Grab a chair and some popcorn and enjoy the show. Unless the driver and the spotter know exactly what each other needs to see and do, it can be a
page. Ask for Help But before you can back a trailer you need to hook up to the coupler so you
recipe for disaster or at the very least
can hook up the trailer and that can
a pretty good argument.
sometimes be just as much of a
But in reality backing up with a trailer really isn’t all that hard. It just requires a little practice and patience. It can even be done without having a spotter back there but if you do have a spotter, he or Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
that both of you are one the same
challenge as backing the trailer itself. If you have a spotter, he or she should stand even with the trailer’s coupler, on the driver’s side and should be clearly visible in the driver’s rear view 33
mirror. Its best if the spotter uses signals to tell you which way to move the tow ball, left or right, and not which way to turn the steering wheel. Once you are lined up and getting close, the spotter should switch to showing you how far you still have to go. Leave a little margin for error in this to avoid the unintentional “spearing” of the tow vehicle’s license plate. Just take it very slowly and creep gently back the last inch or three.
open the door and look at the ground as you move the tow vehicle. It’s a lot easier to judge how far you have moved that way. Some people use a brightly colored tall stick attached to the coupler with a magnet to give them a good visual reference to where it is. (Chux sells these!) Hookup the Ball Now that you are over the ball it’s time to hook up. After you lower the trailer jack and the coupler is securely on the ball, make
Establish a Visual
sure the clamp release is
Reference
completely closed. Inserting
If you have to hook up alone you can still get there, it’s just a little more challenging. One trick is that once you are close, Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
a pin or a padlock through the clamp is good insurance. Now you can raise or remove the trailer jack and stow it away.
34
Now check the pin that holds the ball
should have been included with
mount in the receiver and make sure
your hitch and your hitch installer
the clip is inserted properly and is in
should also have gone over the
good condition.
procedure with you. Just remember that the goal is for the trailer and
Safety Chains
the tow vehicle to be level
Next attach the safety chains. Make
throughout when fully loaded.
sure they cross under the trailer’s
If you have a gooseneck hitch or a
coupler. This insures the coupler will
fifth wheel hitch you also have some
fall onto the chains in case of a
additional steps that are covered in
breakaway and not dig into the
your trailer’s owner’s manual and
ground. Also connect the breakaway
should have been explained to you
switch cable if your trailer is so
by your dealer.
equipped. Backing Up Now you can hook up the electrical connector and perform a test to
Now comes the really fun part;
make sure all the trailer lights are
backing up. No matter what type of
working correctly.
towing you do or where you go, sooner or later you’re going to have
If you have a weight distributing hitch
to back that rig up. Sometimes it
there are a couple more steps
can be pretty funny, until something
involved, like using a jack to take
goes wrong, then it’s hilarious! Okay,
some of the trailer weight off the
we’re kidding, but seriously folks,
hitch and adjusting the chains for
backing a trailer really isn’t difficult.
proper tension. The instructions for this
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
35
Do this while you are watching what the trailer does. It only takes a little practice before this becomes second nature and you will amaze your friends and family with the places you can back your trailer into. If you have a spotter make sure your spotter knows where you want to go beforehand. And its best if the spotter uses hand signals to tell you where the back of the trailer should go, NOT which way you should turn the wheel. The spotter should also make sure he or she is always visible in your mirror.
Avoid frustration‌ ‌asking for help and having a spotter can make all the difference
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
36
Safety
Double Check “Vivamus Everything et metus.”
Towing anything with a trailer hitch
and quality trailers and hitches make
makes your rig is longer, heavier, less
towing these days an easy task and it
maneuverable, and takes longer to
doesn’t take much to get lulled into a
stop than most of the other vehicles around you.
brainer. But you should never drive the same way with a trailer that you would
The running joke is that common sense
drive without a trailer hitched to your
isn’t very common any more, but when it
truck. So what follows here are a few
comes to towing a trailer a little common
tips on driving safely when towing a
sense is all you really need to make it a
trailer and a few guidelines to keep
safe experience. And safety should be
you out of the ditches and right side
the number one thing on your mind when
up.
you’re towing anything. In fact, overconfidence just might be the most dangerous thing you can have when towing trailer. Modern tow vehicles Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
false sense that towing a trailer is a no-
Check Everything Before you even pull out on the road, make sure the trailer hitch is in good 37
shape, your wiring isn’t corroded or
electrical connections made. The safety
and the car in front of you. It’s just basic
frayed, and your trailer is loaded
chains should be attached so they cross
physics that the increased weight of your
correctly. You need about 60% of the
under the coupler like the illustration
rig means your brakes will take more time
load in front of the trailer axles. Not so far
below.
to bring everything to a halt. Because of
in front as to
this, many states
overload the
have lowered
tongue weight,
their speed limits
but properly
for trailers. This is
balanced front to
for your safety so
rear and side to
be sure to never
side. It should go
exceed the
without saying to
posted limit.
make sure all of
Check Again
your cargo inside the trailer should
After the first 50 to
be securely tied
100 miles, stop
down. Plus,
and check to
ALWAYS make
make sure all of
sure you visually
the hitch
confirm that all
connections are
trailer brake lights
still good and the
work, trailer turn signals, trailer hazard/flasher lights and any clearance
load is still properly tied down and hasn’t Watch Your Speed
shifted.
Once out on the road don’t follow too
Be extra careful when changing lanes.
Make sure you have the trailer hitch
closely and be sure to leave PLENTY of
Make sure you allow plenty of room for
hooked up correctly and all of the
extra stopping distance between you
the extra length of your rig. Check your
or marker lights.
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
38
mirrors often and signal well in advance
be a problem long before they get near
of the change.
you. Notice the guy who’s cutting in and
Passing a slower vehicle should be a rare event when you’re towing but if you must pass, remember again about the extra
out of lanes, talking on his cell phone, or going much faster than the rest of traffic and give those guys plenty of room.
Bad Weather Bad weather requires even more common sense and good driving habits. We shouldn’t have to tell you that wet roads mean even slower speeds and
length of your combination and don’t cut
No matter how good your tires are, the
longer stopping distance. High winds can
back into your lane too soon. When other
possibility of getting a flat on the road is
cause your trailer to sway. But just like the
cars are passing you be courteous and
always there. A flat front tire on the tow
flat tire example above, the best action is
help them get the pass done quickly and
vehicle will make steering sluggish and
little action. Don’t make any abrupt
safely by slowing just a bit until they are
heavy but you can still pull off the road
movements but a slow and gentle
safely by. Most importantly be
and brake to a safe stop. A flat trailer tire
reduction in speed and careful
predictable and don’t make any sudden
will make your trailer sway and pull the
application of the trailer brake controller
moves while being passed.
tow vehicle around some, but you can
should bring that trailer right back in line
still apply the trailer brakes and slowly get
where it belongs.
Always use care on long downgrades. Use lower gears and gentle, intermittent use of your brakes to keep them cool and that trailer under control.
the rig off the road. A flat tire on the rear of the tow vehicle is probably the worst but if you just apply the brakes gently (never slam on the brakes) use the trailer
Take in the big picture when you’re out
brake controller and slowly pull the rig off
on the road. Anticipation of the
to the side of the road you’ll be fine. In
unexpected should become automatic.
the case of any flat tire the basic rule is to
Look way ahead and notice what all the
not to panic or make any sudden or
other vehicles are doing. Do the same
abrupt moves. Just be smooth and gently
thing behind you, check your mirrors
apply brake and steering input.
Finally, whenever you stop, whether for a rest, gas, or at your destination, make sure you have room to get out again. Don’t get stuck in a place where you have to make a lot of complicated backing moves just to get out. It would better to park across the street or on the side of the road as long as it doesn’t cause a safety issue.
often and always know what’s going on around you. Watch for drivers who could Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
39
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Brake Controllers “Vivamus Correcting Sway et metus.”
We know you probably weren’t
however was that he was talking
paying attention in high school
about us when we tow our trailers. You
physics when they covered Sir Isaac
see, if you are towing a trailer with no
Newton’s Laws of Motion. Newton wasn’t the guy who invented those fig cookies, although he was a pretty smart cookie himself. No, Newton was the first guy to figure out that; “Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.” And that, dear kiddies, is officially known as “Newton’s First Law of
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
brakes or one without a proper brake controller, and you try to stop at a traffic light or, worse, in an emergency, that trailer wants to keep moving. And you and your tow vehicle are in its way. And that’s bad news for you and anybody around you too. Fortunately there are very few trailers with no brakes of any kind, (mostly just the light utility trailers, single axle trailers, etc.). Even those cheap rental
Motion”.
trailers will usually have surge brakes.
What Newton didn’t realize at the time
Surge brakes use the slowing of the 40
tow vehicle to activate a hydraulic
better is that many pick-ups built in the
from acting on Newton’s law and
cylinder in the tongue to apply the trailer
last five years with a towing package that
pushing your tow vehicle which could
brakes. The disadvantage to surge brakes
includes the option of having an electric
result in a jackknifing.
is that you, the driver, have no
brake controller built right into the dash!
independent control over them. Air Brakes
Trailer Brake Controllers Trailer brake controllers, like this one from
The largest gooseneck and fifth wheel
CURT Manufacturing, are easy to install
campers and car hauler trailers may
and easy to use.
have air brakes. But they are beyond the
The gain or output adjustment modulates the electricty sent to the brakes which determines how hard the trailer brakes are applied. A heavily loaded trailer will require more braking than a light one. Too much braking will cause the trailer brakes to lock up before the tow vehicle
scope of this article so we won’t go into
brakes are fully applied.
them here.
Correcting Trailer Sway
Just about all campers, travel trailers, car haulers, boat trailers, etc. sold on the
If your trailer starts to sway due to high
market today, specifically most that have
winds or the sudden passing of an 18-
dual or triple axles, have electric brakes
wheeler, you can bring it back under
that are activated whenever the brakes
control with the gentle application of the
in the tow vehicle are applied. In
They are adjustable for sensitivity and
trailer brake controller without using the
addition, just about all trucks, vans, SUVs,
gain and usually have a button to
tow vehicle brakes. Just a light touch of
and RVs built since the early 1990’s also
activate the trailer brakes without using
the slider or control button should bring
have the wiring for an electric brake
the tow vehicle brakes.
the trailer right back in line.
The sensitivity adjustment enables the
As we mentioned above, if your tow
brake controller to apply the trailer
vehicle was built after 1990, installing a
brakes anytime it senses the tow vehicle
trailer brake controller should only be a
slowing down. This prevents your trailer
matter of locating the pig tail under the
controller installed from the factory for when you are towing a trailer. There is often a quick connect plug up under the dash somewhere that will connect to a standard electric brake controller. Even Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
41
dash and plugging it into the controller. (If
If you have confidence in your wiring skills
your truck didn’t come with the pigtail
you can tackle a job like this yourself. But
wiring harness for a trailer brake
if you’re unsure or just don’t want to take
controller, Chux can get most of them).
it on, give us a call at Chux Trux. We’re
Then you just mount the controller within
Kansas City’s trusted experts when it
easy reach of the driver and you’re
comes to all things towing. We have the
done. Depending upon the make and
training and expertise to do the job right.
model of your vehicle, the brake
We can also help you choose the right
controller plug should look like one of
trailer brake controller for your specific
these:
towing needs and get you set-up with all
Installing trailer brakes for vehicles older than 1990 is a little more involved.
of the best parts and pieces. If you are anywhere in the Kansas City area just stop in at one of our three stores and let us show you what we can do to provide you with that “external force” that old Newton was talking about to bring your Older Vehicles
trailer to a smooth, safe stop. Class dismissed.
If your tow vehicle is older than 1990 installing a trailer brake controller will be a little more involved but not that difficult. You will need to connect a wire to your brake light switch, a 12 volt power source, and a ground. Then one more wire needs to go to the trailer wiring connector at the back of the vehicle.
Towing & Trailer Hitches by Chux Trux
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Chux Trux was voted not just Kansas City's best truck accessory store, but the best truck accessory store in the USA (LTAA Retailer of the Year Award) by our peers & competitors! Since 1991 we’re Kansas City’s most trusted source for custom car, truck, SUV and Jeep accessories. Our stores in Independence, Missouri, Olathe, Kansas, and Kansas City are fully stocked and ready to install your next custom part. Chux Trux has retail, wholesale, and commercial sales divisions.
Chux has what you’re after and special order items too!
Chux Trux Kansas City Locations North 5005 NE Antioch Kansas City, Mo 64119 (816) 777-2589 Independence Store 13208-A East 40 Highway Independence, Mo 64055 (816) 373-8789 Olathe Store 1515 E. Santa Fe (in the old Olathe Boot building) Olathe, KS 66061 (913) 829-8789 Chux Tint Shop 13208-A East 40 Highway Independence, Mo 64055 (816) 373-0593
www.chuxtrux.com