When you’re itching to hit the road for some much-needed outdoor recreation, it’s time to start pulling out your boats, campers, ATVs and the like. Or perhaps you’re hard at work on a project, and you need to haul heavy machinery. Whatever the case, without the right trailers and towing parts, you won’t be able to bring your gear where you need it to go. That’s why it’s essential to do your research before purchasing your next toy or tool, allowing you to stay prepared and ready for any project or excursion that comes your way. Tractor Supply is here to help with tips for hauling four popular things to tow and the types of accessories you’ll need for vehicle towing.
1. Boats
Whether you love to sail the open waters or are an avid angler, you must have a boat-compatible trailer to tow your vessel. These are designed to allow for trailering, as well as easy loading and unloading into the water. To load your boat onto your trailer, ensure it sits level and balanced, and that all cargo inside is tied down and secured. Next, line up your trailer and vehicle with the hitch ball sitting underneath the trailer’s socket. Once you achieve this positioning, you can lower trailers onto vehicles.
The last step in securing boat trailers to vehicles involves securing the ball and tongue, and locking the trailer hitch, allowing setups to be attached and secure while you drive. Then, make sure to use tie-down straps to tie boats down to trailers, keeping them steady as they travel. Before taking off, check the safety chains and tighten them if needed. Also, attach the proper lighting to the back of your trailer. This will keep you visible on the road, signaling to other drivers where you’re going and working to promote road safety.
2. Machinery
Maybe you need to grab your lawn mower from your storage unit so you can get started on spring landscaping. Perhaps you have a mix of outdoor power equipment to haul to your job site. Regardless of the type of machinery you plan to transport, you must have a suitable utility trailer, as well as additional accessories to further secure tools onto setups.
The utility trailer you choose should not only accommodate the weight and size of your machine but also your vehicle’s towing specifications. For instance, when shopping for trailers, you should think about the weight of the item you intend to haul, as well as that of your trailer. Be sure to meet your car’s requirements. Don’t exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity, as this can cause setups to fail or even damage personal vehicles.
When loading machines, be sure that most of the weight sits centralized and even with your trailer, as this will allow for easier, more controlled driving without having to worry about leaning or other issues. Make sure to take off any accessories and components that may stick out while traveling, securing them separately on your trailer.
3. Campers
Every camper knows the joys that the pastime brings – and there’s no better feeling than finally taking out your RV for the season and adventuring! But while you won’t always need a compatible trailer to haul these types of vehicles, they do require a few parts to ensure a safe, secure trip. For example, you must have a hitch receiver that matches your RV weight, with hitch weight capabilities measured in classes.
Classes for hitches range from one through five, with lower-rated hitches handling smaller weights and higher-rated options designed for heavy-duty towing. When selecting a trailer hitch for camper towing, you must know how much it weighs to find a hitch with a suitable towing capacity. You should also consider the type of hitch you need, with different kinds working better depending on what you plan to haul. Use an RV trailer hitch with most camper setups or opt for gooseneck hitches for fifth-wheel towing applications, as well as bumper-mounted hitches for hauling campers from your bumper.
Powersports and Other Recreational Vehicles
When you need to haul your ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles or other powersports vehicles, rely on an ATV or UTV trailer, which features sidewalls and gates to allow for secure towing. These types of trailers may also come with ramps, making it easy to drive ATVs onto and off your setup. However, while using a UTV or ATV trailer ensures your machine gets where it needs to go safely, there are other ways you can haul your recreation vehicle without needing a whole trailer setup.
For instance, if you have a truck, you can easily load ATVs, UTVs and other powersports vehicles right onto the truck bed. While you won’t need a separate trailer, you will want some accessories, such as tie-down straps to secure your ATV onto your truck, as well as ramps so you can easily drive them into the bed.
Keep in mind that if driving your truck with an ATV on the back, you won’t be able to drive at high speeds. So, in some cases, having an ATV or UTV trailer can work better, depending on how far you plan to travel with your machine. Additionally, if you plan on using a UTV trailer, you’ll still need tie-down straps to efficiently secure ATVs into trailer setups.
Towing Accessories for Your Ideal Setup
Whether you’re looking to take your boat out for the first time or ready to take your camper out for the season, you’ll need some basic towing supplies to safely attach trailers to your vehicle. For starters, you’ll need trailer hitches, which are components on your trailer that allow for attachments and ball mounts, which let you connect and secure trailers. Other accessories you may need include:
- Jack stand: This is designed to go under your trailer and lift it so it’s level with your tow vehicle, making it easier to successfully attach setups. Be sure to lift your jack stand as high as possible when lowering hitches onto ball mounts.
- Safety pin: This secures latches onto ball hitches, ensuring your trailer doesn’t go anywhere while driving.
- Safety chains: These keep trailers attached to your tow vehicle in case hitch or latch components become disconnected. They should be installed in a crisscross fashion to prevent tongues from hitting roadways.
- Trailer lights: These are required by law in many states, and they work similarly to your vehicle’s lights, as they warn drivers where you’re going on the road.
- Brake safety chains: These help to automatically stop trailers if they get too close to your tow vehicle while driving.
To help further secure cargo onto your trailer for safe hauling, you can tie machinery down using tie-downs or chains, and attach them via heavy-duty ties, hooks or clamps. For equipment with wheels, you’ll need other tools that’ll ensure machines stay on your trailer and won’t roll away, including cradles, chocks or wedges. Additionally, if towing any equipment or machinery, be sure to cover it with a tarp for further protection from the elements while hauling.
Special Considerations for RVs
If you plan on towing an RV, consider having other supplies that’ll help with setting up and driving these types of trailers, such as:
- Weight distribution hitches: These ensure the weight of your camper is properly distributed across the hitch, keeping it balanced and level for better driving control.
- Tongue jacks: These are used both before loading campers to lift and lower the trailer’s tongue onto the hitch, as well as when unloading, setting up and leveling your camper when you reach your destination.
- Hitch and trailer locks: These lock campers onto your vehicle to prevent theft, which is especially useful when leaving your camper for a while.
- Backup cameras and accessories: These give you assistance and enhanced visibility in backing up your camper, allowing you to steer clear of hazards with ease.
- Brake controls: These are necessary when hauling larger loads, allowing you to stop your trailer quickly through synced electrical signals right from your tow vehicle if needed.
Find the Towing Supplies You Need at Tractor Supply
Whether you’re looking for something for safe boat towing, or need a suitable trailer for hauling ATVs or campers, we have the accessories and tools for whatever adventure you take on next. From tire trailers and hitches to RV and hitch covers, you can find a variety of items that’ll keep loads safely secured and allow for much fun without worry. To learn more about the towing accessories we offer, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.