PoohDog629@aol.com wrote:
> I will be
> towing for the first time and thought it would be a good idea to ask
> some of you guys that have had personal experience towing with your
> Dakota's.
>
I would recommend turning your side mirrors so you can see the wheels of the
trailer. When you take turns or have to pass through a tight space, keep an
eye on the trailer to get an idea of how close you come to things. It'll
help you get a feel for spacing when towing. It's possible to tow without
trailer brakes, but just be aware of it and give yourself plenty of space to
stop. I'd also recommend giving the trailer a check for lights to make sure
they're working fine. If you're taking a long trip, it's not a bad idea to
check the trailer hubs for heat. They shouldn't be so hot that you can't
touch them. Also, remember you don't *have* to always stay in overdrive.
;) If the engine is working too hard, remember to take it out.
Backing up? It definately takes some practice, but the one tip that always
seems to help is to put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. If
you want the trailer to go right, move your hand right.. and vice versa.
It's an easy trick when you don't want to have to think about it. I tend to
look over my shoulder when backing up since it's more intuitive to me, but I
find myself using that trick sometimes when I have to use just my mirrors.
Overall, there aren't any real unusual things about towing, just use common
sense.
Good luck!
Mark
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Oct 01 2004 - 11:38:59 EDT