9 Things You Should Never Do When Towing A Trailer

Hooking up a trailer feels simple until you are rolling down the highway and the whole rig starts to wiggle. Towing changes everything about how a vehicle drives, from how it stops to how it turns.

A white and blue truck driving along a highway in daylight.

Edmunds’ guide “How To Tow A Trailer” walks through the basics, from weight limits to backing up. Read between the lines and you find a clear list of mistakes that turn a weekend trip into a roadside headache.

Here are nine things you should never do when towing a trailer, based on Edmunds’ advice.

Never Tow Right Up To The Maximum Rating

Edmunds says to treat the maximum trailer-tow rating as “the very most you should ever consider towing.” It advises staying at least 10% under the maximum, or further below on steep grades.

For a safer margin, Edmunds suggests staying within 80% of the rated capacity. For example, a 6,500-pound rating means towing about 5,200 pounds or less.

Never Forget The Combined Weight Limit

Edmunds warns drivers not to approach the gross combined weight rating, which includes the vehicle’s curb weight, cargo and trailer. It is easy to focus on the trailer and forget what is inside the truck.

The article notes that full-size trucks can have a wide range of ratings, and gives the example of a 2025 Ram 1500 that ranges from 6,480 to 11,550 pounds depending on configuration. It suggests using your VIN when asking the manufacturer or a dealer for your exact rating.

Never Skip The Proper Hitch And Wiring

Edmunds says to use a properly installed hitch and wiring for the trailer’s lights and, in many cases, its brakes. Older vehicles may need a light adapter, and hitch installation generally costs around $500.

The guide lists hitch classes by gross trailer weight: Class I up to 2,000 pounds, Class II up to 3,500, Class III up to 5,000, Class IV up to 7,500 and Class V up to 10,000. Match the class to your load.

Never Leave The Safety Chains Uncrossed

Edmunds instructs drivers to cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue, the long part that extends toward the vehicle. It also mentions using a trailer ball in 1¼-inch or 2-inch sizes, plus a hitch pin.

The article adds that rental companies check the attachment, but the driver must determine what is safe to tow. The responsibility stays with you.

Never Load The Trailer Carelessly

Edmunds says to keep weight balanced and, if possible, skewed forward. When towing a car, it says to be sure the engine is in the front of the trailer.

It also advises securing cargo with ratchet straps at secure points so that nothing moves. A shifting load can upset the whole rig.

Never Assume Everything Stayed Tight

Edmunds recommends rechecking connections and cargo after driving about a mile. Straps settle and connections work loose, and the first mile reveals which ones.

Pull into a parking lot or a wide shoulder and give everything a firm tug. It takes a couple of minutes and can prevent a roadside mess.

Never Back Up Without Practice

Edmunds explains that to back up you turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction from where you want the trailer to go. It suggests placing one hand at the bottom of the wheel and moving it in the direction you want the trailer to go.

The guide recommends using a spotter and practicing in an empty lot. It also says to park at the far end of a large lot and avoid nose-in parking against walls.

Never Drive Faster Than The Trailer’s Tires Allow

Edmunds notes that trailer tires are typically meant for speeds of 65 mph or below, and says speed should not exceed 55 mph or 65 mph depending on the trailer and its tires.

It also tells drivers to expect much longer acceleration and stopping distances. In town, it advises turning very slowly and allowing extra room when merging.

Never Fight The Sway

When a trailer starts to sway, Edmunds recommends deliberate, gentle steering inputs to limit it. It says to pull over to rest or wait out wind or rain.

The guide adds that an aftermarket hitch stabilizer can reduce sway, and that mirrors should be adjusted outward or fitted with mirror attachments for more visibility.

Edmunds also reminds drivers that trailer brakes may be standard, surge-type or controlled by a brake controller, and that your owner’s manual is the place to check which applies to you.

Towing rewards the slow, patient driver. Run through this list before every trip, and the trailer will follow you like it should.

If you are new to towing, borrow a friend with experience for your first outing. An extra set of eyes on the mirrors makes everything easier, and the habits you learn together stick.

Check your owner’s manual for your exact rating and the hitch recommendations for your vehicle. Edmunds also says to use your VIN when asking the manufacturer or a dealer about capacity, so the answer fits your exact truck or SUV.

Take time to walk around the whole rig before every trip, looking at lights, chains, tires and straps. A two-minute walk costs nothing and catches most problems.

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