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Driving any kind of vehicle over the winter is already much more dangerous than any other time of the year. Towing a vehicle on icy roads, however, is extremely dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are over 50,000 accidents every year as a result of towing.

Truck drivers towing any kind of haul on icy roads need to be extremely careful to avoid dangerous, potentially fatal, auto accidents on the roads.

Here are some great tips for safely towing all kinds of trailers on icy roadways:

• Utilize trailer sway control devices — When it comes to trailer sway devices, there are two basic types that work in two separate ways. First, there are devices that work to reduce the trailer sway once it has already begun. Second, there are devices that work to prevent sway altogether from ever occurring. These devices are essential for drivers who regularly tow trailers and other types of haul behind their trucks.
• Install snow chains — Traction is extremely important when it comes to trailer sway control on the ice. In order to give yourself some much-needed additional traction on the ice, you need chains on all tires. Not just on your truck either, you need to install snow chains on all the trailer’s tires, as well.
• Drive slowly and carefully — Even if you have somewhere you and your trailer need to be at a certain time, you’re much better off arriving a little late than sliding off the road and potentially harming yourself or your load. You have to be smart while towing a trailer on icy roads. If you drive fast, aren’t paying attention, or fail to adhere to the general rules of the road, you will slide, lose control of your vehicle, and could cause serious harm to yourself and other drivers. It sounds obvious enough but it cannot be overstated: when towing a trailer, you must drive as safe as possible — especially over the winter.

If you want to learn more about trailer sway control or find electronic brake controllers and sway control hitches, contact Hayes Towing Electronics right away!

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Towing a trailer is extremely dangerous if you aren’t careful. And those dangers are amplified over the winter. Snowy and icy roads mixed with large trucks and heavy hauls is a very dangerous combination. If you’re towing a trailer of any kind throughout the winter, you need to drive as safe as possible — here’s how to do it:

1. Get your truck and trailer inspected — Before any long winter road trip, make sure that your trailer is up to date on all its maintenance checks. Your truck needs to be functioning properly, as well.
2. Utilize a trailer sway control hitch — There are two types of trailer sway devices: those that reduce sway once it has begun and those that work to prevent sway altogether. Trailer sway prevention hitches can enable you to drive long distances safely, without your trailer swaying in those strong winter gusts.
3. Equip your truck and trailer with snow tires — Trailer sway is dangerous, but even the most effective trailer sway control hitch can’t avoid roadway incidents if the roads are too slick. That’s where snow tires come in, enabling you to remain in control of your vehicle — and trailer — throughout inclement weather. If you have to suddenly brake or completely stop in the snow, these tires will help you gain traction and avoid serious accidents.
4. Always have an emergency kit on hand — Whether you’re driving a small sedan to the local grocery store or a large truck across the country, you should always have an emergency kit in your vehicle during the winter. Have plenty of extra warm clothes, First-aid materials, ice scrapers, tire traction mats, and some food and water just in case you get stuck out on the roads.
5. Drive slow — This one is obvious but it’s extremely important. You need to drive slow at all times over the winter. Even if you’re in a rush, slow it down because your safety is much more important.

Make sure you’re driving as safe as possible this winter, whether you’re towing a trailer or not. If you want to learn more about trailer sway prevention, however, and are in need of a quality trailer sway control hitch, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 50,000 accidents every year related to towing. Towing a trailer is extremely dangerous and you must know what you’re doing prior to getting behind the wheel. Trailer sway is a serious problem that can lead to devastating injuries on the roads.

It’s important to note that weight distribution systems are recommended if the trailer’s weight is more than 50% of the towing vehicle’s weight. Additionally, electronic brake controllers are essential in order to remain safe on the roadways while towing a trailer.

Here are some of the best electronic brake controllers on the market:

Genesis Brake Controller

• Compatible with 2, 4, 6, or 8 electric brakes.
• Automatically can level with the road’s incline or decline.
• Contains boost features for variable towing loads.

G2 Brake Boss Controller

• Easy to use manual activation level (applies full power to trailer brakes).
• Liquid crystal display, showing digital reading for braking power and modes.
• Contains all functional capability of the Genesis controller, plus even more features.

Energize III Plus Brake Controller

• Compatible with 2, 4, or 6 electric brakes
• Applies smooth and fast promotional stopping performance with extra control and power.
• Options for manual and automatic trailer braking.

Air Actuated Brake Controller

• Provides smooth and promotional braking to towing vehicles with air brake systems.
• Compatible with 2, 4, 6, or 8 electric brakes.
• Automatic or manual operation of the trailer’s braking system.

Endeavor Brake Controller

• Compatible with 4, 6, or 8 electric brakes.
• Equipped with digital display, enabling driver to view power percentage, voltage, and current.
• For use with electric and electric over hydraulic brakes.

Syncronizer Brake Controller

• Compatible with 2 or 4 electric brakes.
• Recommended for light-duty trailers.
• Built-in automatic current limiter protection from trailer brake wiring shorts.

Brake controllers and trailer sway systems can help keep you and your family safe during towing-related road trips. If you want to learn more about the importance of controlling trailer sway and find some quality electronic brake controllers, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away.

Imagine driving down the highway with your family, camper attached to your truck’s tow, and you’re all sharing your excitement about your annual camping trip. Suddenly, a large gust of wind strikes your vehicle on the driver’s side. This fun-filled family trip has now transformed into a life or death situation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 50,000 accidents every year related to towing.

At high speeds, trailer sway problems can have fatal consequences. Trailer sway control is imperative for any truck driver with a tow attached. Any trailer towed with a hitch can sway or fishtail while driving down the road. The hitch acts as a pivot point in-between the centers of gravity of the two automobiles. Even the slightest sway or side-to-side force can turn the vehicle and create unexpected and dangerous forces. First, let’s identify what primarily causes trailer sway:

• Strong winds and drafts — Strong winds can cause problems for any vehicle, and are even more dangerous when large trailers are involved. Drafts from passing semi trucks can result in serious on-road problems, as well.
• Weight and balance issues — If there are weight distribution issues on your vehicle, it’s only a matter of time before you lose control. Weight distribution systems are recommended if your trailer weight is more than 50% of your truck’s weight. Additionally, between 12% and 15% of your trailer’s weight should be resting on your towing vehicle’s hitch. While descending hills, if your weight distribution is off, you will be in serious trouble of losing control of your vehicle and trailer.
• Driving erratically — The best way to ensure trailer sway control is to simply drive safely. Erratic driving in any vehicle is dangerous, but it’s so much worse to drive a truck towing a large trailer fast and unstable. Rather than putting yourself, your family, and everyone else out on the roadways in danger, drive much slower than usual and stay as safe as possible.

There are two main types of trailer sway devices: those that reduce sway as soon as it has begun and those that work to prevent sway altogether. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with sway control devices, weight distribution systems, and that you’re driving safe at all times.

If you want to learn more about trailer sway prevention and purchase a quality trailer sway control hitch, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away.

Driving a large truck with a tow attached on a long road trip can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re going camping or spending time with family or friends. However, these vehicles are much more dangerous than the average automobile. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are over 50,000 accidents every year related to trailer towing.

If you’re not careful when driving a large truck that is towing a trailer, you could quickly lose control of the vehicle, subsequently putting everyone around at a major risk. Your trailer can come unhinged, your truck could spin out of control, and all kinds of issues could arise — so you need to be extremely careful out on the roads.

When driving a large truck or towing a trailer, make sure you’re avoiding these costly mistakes:

• Forgoing regular vehicle inspections — You need to make sure your truck and trailer are working properly at all times. Before you get behind the wheel, simply walk around the truck and trailer and look at everything. Make sure the trailer brake wiring for the brake controllers is connected properly, all tires are inflated, and there are no other issues you should be aware of.
• Neglecting trailer sway control — The most common incident involving trailers on the road can be attributed to sway. Trailer sway devices come in two basic types: devices that reduce sway once it has begun and devices that work to prevent trailer sway altogether. Whether you’re driving down the street or across the country, trailer sway control is imperative for roadway safety.
• Not using weight distribution systems — Weight distribution systems are recommended if the trailer weight is more than 50% of the towing vehicle’s weight. Additionally, between 12% and 15% of the trailer’s weight should be resting on the towing vehicle’s hitch.
• Driving erratically — Finally, you need to be driving responsible at all times, as well. If you’re not driving safely, you’re putting everyone at risk. You should drive careful no matter what vehicle you’re in, but since large trucks and trailers are heavier than the majority of automobiles, you need to drive slow, carefully and pay even more attention at all times.

Be sure to avoid these mistakes at all costs in order to keep you, your family, and everyone else on the road safe. If you want to learn more about safely driving a large truck or towing a trailer, or find some quality trailer sway control devices, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away.

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Whether you’re planning on a vacation with the family next summer or just want to hook up a trailer and go on a cross-country road trip for some alone time, long drives are great. Driving across states, taking in all the nature, and just clearing your mind is a great way to refresh and clear your mind.

Although these vacations, road trips, and long drives can be very relaxing, they can actually be quite dangerous as well. Not only are U.S. roadways dangerous already due to distracted driving, various hazards, and poor weather and road conditions; improper trailer towing can have catastrophic results on the roads.

If you’re planning on hooking up a heavy trailer to your truck for the first time, you need to make sure you know what you’re doing in order to keep yourself, your family, your vehicle, your gear, and everyone else on the road safe. Before you go on an extremely long trip, you should practice driving around and learn how to effectively maneuver the trailer and the vehicle being towed. In addition to practicing your driving, utilizing trailer control devices are essential for safe towing.

Trailer sway control devices come in two basic types: those that start to reduce trailer sway once it has begun and those that work to prevent swaying from happening altogether. Keep in mind, additional weight distribution systems are recommended if the trailer’s weight is more than 50% of your vehicle’s weight.

Even minor windstorms can cause extreme dangers on the roadway for your trailer and towing vehicle. In fact, a 35-mile-per-hour crosswind could put as much as 3,440 pounds of force pushing on the side of the trailer, according to a study on commercial vehicle towing accidents by Knott Laboratory.

Trailer sway control hitches are great for correcting some of the weight issues that occur while driving down the road. Between 12% and 15% of the trailer’s weight should be resting on the towing vehicle’s hitch.

If you want to learn more about trailer sway control or find quality trailer sway prevention devices, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away.

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More than 11% of U.S. households headed by 35-to-54-year-olds own a recreational vehicle (RV). In fact, across the country, there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts, including renters. These outdoor-loving people have more than 16,000 public and privately owned campgrounds to roam around nationwide, leading to fun-filled trips for millions of families.

Driving an RV or towing a large and heavy trailer is extremely difficult and you can’t just get behind the wheel and expect to safely get down the road. You need to practice driving safe and implement some various tips and tricks for RV driving and trailer towing. Here are some great RV and trailer towing tips:

• Pay attention to the weather — No matter where you’re going or what vehicle you’re traveling in, if the weather is projected to be too severe, you should cancel your trip. Even powerful RVs can overturn during powerful storms and trailers can begin swaying all over the roadways.
• Utilize electric brakes for trailers — With trailer brake controllers, you can ensure that your vehicle’s braking system is connected to the trailers. Without a proper brake connection, simply pressing the brakes on your towing vehicle won’t stop or even slow down the trailer being towed, which can lead to some serious roadway issues.
• Drive slow — It seems obvious, but so many RV drivers drive way too fast on the road. Since these vehicles are so large, your reaction time is much shorter than smaller vehicles. You need to drive very slow and never exceed 65 miles per hour.
• Stay all the way to the right side of the road — Since you should be driving slow, you should remain in the right lane and let everyone pass you to the left. Staying near the right shoulder is great just in case of an emergency, as well. If any mechanical issue occurs, you can simply slow down and pull off to the right, rather than switching lanes on a busy highway.

From electric brakes for trailers to simply spending a few hours practicing driving an RV, hopefully, these tips will help you and your family travel the roads safely. If you want to learn more about safely operating a large RV or find some quality electric brakes for trailers, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away.

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Driving a truck is dangerous in itself, but towing a heavy trailer can amplify those dangers significantly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that there are over 50,000 accidents every year due to towing.

Due to the dangerous aspects of truck driving and towing, it’s essential to focus on safety at all times. When you’re behind the wheel, whether you’re driving down the road or across the country, you need to make sure that the trailer you’re towing remains secure throughout the entirety of the trip.

Here are some excellent tips for safely driving a truck while towing a heavy trailer:

• Check everything beforehand — From inspecting your truck and trailer’s tire pressure to taking a look at the trailer brake wiring, you should thoroughly inspect every inch of your truck or trailer before getting behind the wheel. Check the safety chains, lights, license plate, hitch, wiring, and everything else. If the brake controller wiring has become jeopardized, you need to address it right away and have quality trailer brake wiring put in — don’t just neglect even the smallest issue because that could end up putting everyone on the road in danger.
• Don’t exceed the towing limit — Check your truck’s owner’s manual and go over all the information about towing to ensure that you’re not putting yourself and everyone else at risk as you tow heavy loads. Find out how much weight your truck can successfully haul. Although larger trucks and SUVs can tow considerably more weight nowadays, you should still check the manual in order to not overload your truck.
• Take wider turns — Since your vehicle is nearly double its length with a trailer attached, you will need to take much wider turns. Wide turns will help you avoid hitting curbs, other vehicles, or losing control of the trailer.

Don’t put yourself and other drivers in danger because you are unaware of how to properly and safely drive a truck with a trailer attached. If you want to learn more about safely towing a trailer or trailer brake wiring and sway control hitches, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call today!

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When it comes to driving a truck with a trailer attached, you need to drive even more carefully than normal. You can’t just attach a trailer to your truck’s towing hitch and start driving across the country — you need to make sure that you’re ready to safely tow any sized freight behind your truck.

For instance, weight distribution systems are recommended if your trailer’s weight is more than 50% of your vehicle’s weight. Preventing and correcting sway is a must for any truck driver towing a trailer, but so is having functioning braking systems on both vehicles.

Trailer brake controller wiring must be secure and connected correctly in order to ensure safe towing out on the roads. Here is everything you need to know about handling and installing electric brake controllers for trailers:

• Understanding the controller wires — There are numerous wires involved with a trailer’s brake controller. Some of the wires need to be connected individually, and a few others lead to the electronic adapter, which plugs into the trailer connector, allowing for basic writing functions without the hassle of cutting or splicing into your truck’s system. The three basic wiring functions for the connection involve tail lights, turn signals, and stop lights. One wire runs directly into the truck’s battery in order to supply power to the trailer connector, one runs to the brake controller to actually supply the braking power, one gets grounded to the truck’s frame, and another hardwires to the truck’s reverse lights.
• Utilize a wiring kit — Since brake controller wiring can be quite complicated, especially if you have little-to-know experience with towing a trailer or connecting the hitch to the tow, it’s essential that you are using trailer wiring kit. In many cases, since the wiring connected directly to the truck’s battery, you’ll need to find a wiring kit that is specific to your vehicle’s make and model. Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all kit and using the wrong one could damage your truck and jeopardize your tow.

If you want to learn more about brake controller wiring or find high-quality trailer switch control hitches to safely tow any trailer any distance — give Hayes Towing Electronics a call today!

The RV Industry Association (RVIA) reports that there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts, including RV renters, across the United States. These recreational vehicles are great for long road trips, camping, and just for enjoying the outdoors. Unfortunately, towing these vehicles isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports that there are over 50,000 accidents every year related to towing. In order to prevent these roadway incidents and keep you, your family, and your RV safe, it’s essential that you drive very carefully whenever you’re towing another vehicle or trailer.

Here are some frequently asked questions about towing that should hopefully help with your next road trip:

Towing Safety FAQs

• Are their different kinds of recreational vehicles? — Yes, there are two main categories of RVs: motorhomes, which are motorized themselves, and towables, which must be towed by a car, van, or pickup truck.
• What are the main dangers involved with towing RVs and trailers? — Though driving any vehicle on the U.S. roadways can be dangerous, towing large vehicles or trailers certainly increases the risk of danger. The two main problems that occur when towing involve swaying issues and trouble braking. If you lose control even a little bit while you’re towing, the trailer or RV can begin swaying and cause serious problems. Conversely, if your vehicle’s brakes aren’t properly functioning or you are braking too soon or too late, the trailer or RV being towed could smash into the back of your vehicle.
• How can I prevent brake problems when towing? — First, you should make sure that your vehicle’s brakes are high-quality and working correctly. Next, in order to give yourself the best chance at avoiding braking issues, you should equip your vehicle with a single axle trailer brake control. There are electronic brake controllers that work great for safe towing and safe driving. Make sure you work with a professional when acquiring and installing a single axle trailer brake controller.
• Can weight distribution systems help with towing? — Yes, they can actually help a lot. If you’re only towing a small trailer that weighs much less than half of your towing vehicle’s weight, you likely won’t need a weight distribution system, though it couldn’t hurt. Weight distribution systems are recommended if your trailer weight is more than 50% of your vehicle’s weight, however.
• How can I prevent trailer sway? — There are two main types of trailer sway devices that work great for combating this dangerous problem. Trailer sway devices can reduce sway once it has started and other devices can prevent sway from occurring altogether.

There’s More to Towing Safety

If you think you know all there is to know about towing safety, think again. Once you’ve got your basic questions answered, make sure the following information is next on your to-learn list.

Run The Numbers

When it comes to towing an RV or trailer, a little math can go a long way. Here are a few situations where it is best to run the numbers:

• What is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)? You better know before you head out on the road. “The GVWR refers to the total amount of weight you’re towing, including a loaded RV, passengers, anything you tow behind your RV,” Trip Savvy writes. Carefully read your driver’s manual to determine the maximum weight a particular vehicle is capable of towing. Don’t throw caution to the winds. Towing a trailer or RV that is too heavy can result in unpredictable steering, acceleration, and braking.
• Weight distribution. Keep your weight distribution well within recommended guidelines. Ideally, the front of the trailer or RV needs to bear 60% or more of the weight. Loads that are back heavy or tail heavy risk instability and improper turning and steering.
• Safe driving practices. To get right to the point, driving while towing an RV or trailer is very different from simply driving a truck or vehicle. While towing an RV, for example, you should be extra reactive and cautious. Brake early. Go slow. Carefully monitor road conditions and plan ahead for wide turns. Always back up slowly and with care. If you’re in a rush, it is not a good time to be backing up with a trailer.

There are tools to make driving with a trailer or RV in tow easier. Trailer brake controllers, for example, afford drivers peace of mind and prevent drivers from braking too abruptly while towing heavy equipment.

Learn The Different Types Of Hitches

Generally speaking, there are five classes of hitches to tow an RV or trailer. Classes designate how much weight a hitch can safely tow. According to RV Share, a class one hitch can support up to 2,000 pounds. On the opposite side of the spectrum, class five hitches safely tow 18,000 pounds.

Selecting the right hitch is a critical part of towing safety. Ask your RV parts provider if you have any questions!

The Specifics About Sway

Sway can be a huge impediment to towing safety. Keep sway under wraps by staying informed and purchasing appropriate equipment. Left unchecked, sway will cause your trailer or RV to dangerously veer and jolt back and forth as you navigate highways and back roads.

Several factors affect sway. First, trailers and RVs are–for the most part– just about always going to be significantly larger than the vehicles towing them. For that reason, wind disproportionately shifts RVs and trailers. Fast speeds disproportionately risk RVs and trailers swerving out of control.

To prevent sway, distribute weight according to guidelines. Drive slowly. Avoid driving in high winds and severe weather conditions if at all possible.

Once again, know that there are tools at your disposal–tools that you can use in addition to precautions and safe driving practices. Install brake control and consider electronic sway control accessories for your RV or trailer. Electric sway control equipment can help reduce sway no matter what kind of hitch you are (or aren’t) using. Many models are self-calibrating and do not require users to toil over over-complicated or over-involved setups.

If you want to learn more about towing RVs, motorhomes, trailers, or any other vehicle, as well as find high quality single axle trailer brake controllers, give Hayes Towing Electronics a call right away. Stay safe out there!