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Towing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Towing is the process of pulling or drawing behind a chain or line. Commonly, towing is done by road vehicles, but anything from boats to tractors to people can tow cargo.
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While most any SUV, van, minivan, pickup truck or passenger car can be equipped to tow a trailer properly when given the correct equipment, an owner’s manual and manufacturer's guide should be checked for specifications.
Most trailers can fall into one of four categories: flat bed or open; enclosed; boat trailers or recreational vehicles.
Flat Bed or Open trailers are platforms with no sides or stakes. This type of trailer works well for hauling large and unconventional shaped objects.
Enclosed trailers are fully covered by four sides and a roof. These types of trailers are great for pulling livestock since they protect the contents from all elements of the weather. Many people also rent these types of trailers for moving boxes, furniture and other materials they don't want damaged by rain, snow or wind.
Boat trailers are used specifically for pulling boats. These types of trailers are designed for easy loading in and out of the water and should be purchased based on the specific type and style of boat they will be hauling.
Recreational Vehicles (RV) are utility vehicles or vans that are often equipped with living facilities. These types of trailers can be attached to the back of most any road vehicle and are commonly used for camping outings or road trips.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, more than 65,000 crashes involving passenger vehicles towing trailers occurred in 2004, jumping nearly 20 percent from the previous year.
In 2006, Master Lock did their annual study on towing safety to see how many Americans tow their cargo correctly. The study, “Towing Troubles,” included responses from trailer owners across the country and found that while the majority of trailer owners believe they know what they’re doing when it comes to towing, most were lacking the proper education. Master Lock reported that 70 percent of trailer owners did not fully know the correct way to tow their cargo.
An important factor in towing safety is tongue weight, the weight with which the trailer presses down on the tow vehicle's hitch. Insufficient tongue weight can cause the trailer to sway back and forth when towed. Too much tongue weight can cause problems with the tow vehicle.[1]
Ontario has rules governing the towing of another vehicle. Since 1990 the Highway Traffic Act has stated that attachments are required when a vehicle is drawn on highway.[2] Furthermore, it is unlawfull to permit any person "riding upon a bicycle, coaster, roller skates, skis, toboggan, sled or toy vehicle to attach the same, himself or herself to the vehicle"[3] Finally, only commercial vehicles are permited to draw more than one vehicle.[4]
- ^ Towing a Trailer. Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
- ^ Highway Traffic Act, Section 80. Retrieved on March 24, 2007.
- ^ Highway Traffic Act, Section 160. Retrieved on March 24, 2007.
- ^ Highway Traffic Act, Section 161. Retrieved on March 24, 2007.