Chux Trux Towing & Trailer Hitches

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

1

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.

8

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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