3 Tips for Driving With a Dump Trailer
Picture this: you are hitching a dump trailer up to your truck and are getting ready to hit the road for the first time with your new equipment. Suddenly, a realization comes over you: you don’t know how to drive with a trailer. What do you do?
Mastering the art of driving with a trailer can feel like learning to ride a bike all over again — it might be a little shaky at first, but with practice, you’ll be cruising down the highway like a pro. Here are three tips to help you learn how to drive with a trailer hooked up, and with fewer bumps along the way.
1. Practice Makes Perfect
Remember when you first learned how to parallel park, and it felt like you were trying to land a Boeing 747 on a postage stamp? Driving with a trailer can elicit the same feelings. But rest assured, with a bit of practice, you’ll be navigating those turns and parking spots like a seasoned pro.
Start small. Find an empty parking lot, set up some cones and practice turning, backing up and parking with your dump trailer or other trailer hooked up. Nailing these basic maneuvers will boost your confidence and give you a feel for how the trailer responds. Remember to take it slow and steady. Even the most experienced drivers didn’t become experts overnight!
2. Load Smarter, Not Harder
The way you load your dump trailer can greatly affect your driving experience. An uneven load can cause the trailer to sway, making it harder to control.
To prevent this, distribute your load evenly across the trailer bed. Avoid overloading one side or the back end. A well-balanced trailer is a happy trailer, and a happy trailer makes for a smooth and safe ride. Plus, it’s also a key to prolonging the life of your trailer.
If you are driving with an enclosed trailer, loading it up may be a bit easier, and you will be more confident driving with a trailer. But if you have an open trailer, make sure to strap down your load and keep everything extra secure so nothing is moving around or flying out during the ride. This can be extremely dangerous for you and everyone else on the road, and it will make driving with a trailer much harder!
3. Maintain Your Equipment
Just as you wouldn’t embark on a road trip without checking your vehicle’s oil and tire pressure, the same applies when hauling a dump trailer. Regular maintenance checks can prevent unpleasant surprises on the road.
Before each trip, inspect your trailer to ensure everything is in working order. Check the tire pressure, brake lights and connections. Also, make sure any features, such as the dump mechanism, are functioning properly. This routine might seem tedious, but it’s an essential part of safe and efficient trailer driving.
If you notice your trailer needs a tune-up or any service done before your next trip, bring it in and we can help take care of it!
Haul With Confidence
Driving with a dump trailer can be a bit daunting at first, but with these tips under your belt, you’ll know how to drive with a trailer in no time. Remember, it’s all about practice, patience and a little bit of elbow grease during those regular maintenance checks.
If you’re looking for a new dump trailer, cargo trailer, utility trailer or service for your current equipment, visit M&G in Ramsey. Our lot is full of durable equipment for all your hauling needs, and our garage is staffed by trailer experts who can get your equipment in and fix it up so you can get back on the road. Visit M&G or shop online for your next trailer today.