Top 6 Towing Myths Busted
You may have heard from mates, well-meaning travelers, or strangers on the internet, but not all towing tips are factual. Here are facts to discard some of the most common towing myths.
Fitting Stiffer Rear Springs Achieves Same Effect as a WDH
The most effective way to prevent the nose-lifting effect of a heavy trailer on a tow vehicle is with a quality weight distribution hitch (WDH). WDH does exactly what its name implies. Stiffer rear springs can increase a vehicle's payload capacity, and therefore its gross vehicle mass (GVM). Stiffer rear suspension can also reduce rear-end squat under a towing load.
Accelerate to Correct a Swaying Trailer
As a matter of fact, it is dangerous to accelerate when the trailer sways. The best action to take is to take your foot off the accelerator, and brake gently until the vehicle and trailer combination come to a complete stop.
It Is Safe Towing at the Recommended Speed Limit
A vehicle's trailer always wants to follow a path of least resistance by moving in a straight line - it is naturally unstable with a lot of inertia behind it. The rig is not sensitive to change of direction in case you suddenly swerve or there's a corner approaching. Therefore, it is safe to drive slightly below the recommended speed limit to allow an extra safety margin should the need for a quick reaction arise.
Load Levellers Takes Weight off the Towbar
Load levelers don't change anything – whatever the weight that was imposed before is the same weight imposed after even after fitting load levellers.
Higher Tyre Pressure Offers Protection Over Rough Ground
The fact of the matter is that a highly pressurized tyre is just like a steel wheel. It does not conform or wrap itself to fit around rubbles or stone when moving over rough ground. The likely result is the tyre can sustain a fracture and either blow out, or the wheel can deform if it's an alloy wheel.
Fifth Gear Is Most Economical for Towing
For those who have ridden a mountain bike up a hill, would you select the highest gear to ride up a hill based on the assumption that it comes with less pedaling? The amount of torque required to keep pedaling would be much higher. The same applies to vehicle towing – the energy required when towing in fifth or higher gear is greater than energy required when towing in lesser gears like third or fourth gear.
