How to Hook Up Trailer Safety Chains the Right Way
Short answer: cross the two safety chains under the trailer tongue in an X, attach each one to the opposite side of the tow vehicle’s hitch, and leave just enough slack to make tight turns without the chains dragging on the road. Crossed chains form a cradle that can catch the tongue if the coupler […]
Towing Course vs Learning on Your Own
Almost every new tower has the same thought: “Can’t I just learn this from YouTube?” You can. Plenty of people have. You can also take a structured towing course. Each path has real strengths and real blind spots. Here’s an honest side-by-side so you can choose, or combine them. Full disclosure: we make a towing […]
Do I Need a Towing Class? An Honest Answer
Short answer: in most cases, no, you don’t legally need a towing class to pull a boat, camper or utility trailer on a regular driver’s license. Whether you should take one is a separate question, and the honest answer depends on your experience, your trailer and how you like to learn. We sell a towing […]
Best Online Trailer Towing Course (2026): What to Look For
If you just bought a boat, a travel trailer or a utility trailer, you’ve probably searched for the “best online trailer towing course.” The trouble is that the options vary a lot. Some are built for commercial drivers, some are short video series, and some are full programs aimed at everyday drivers. A “best” list […]
How to Park a Trailer (and Secure It So It Won’t Roll)
Quick answer: To park a trailer, choose level ground you can pull straight out of, and drive straight for the last stretch so the trailer lines up behind the truck. Set the parking brake, shift into Park, and chock the trailer wheels. On a slope, have the chocks placed on the downhill side of the […]
How to Hitch a Trailer: Step-by-Step Hook-Up Checklist
Quick answer: To hitch a trailer, chock its tires, open the coupler latch and raise the coupler above the ball, then back the ball straight under it. Lower the coupler until it seats, close and pin the latch, and do a lift test. Raise the jack fully, cross and hook the safety chains, attach the […]
1/2 Ton Truck Towing Capacity: What You Can Really Tow
Quick answer Depending on engine, axle ratio, cab, bed, and tow package, modern half-ton pickups like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, and Ram 1500 have published tow ratings that run from the mid-thousands of pounds up to roughly the low-teens of thousands. In practice, though, payload is usually what limits you first, not the […]
How to Adjust a Weight Distribution Hitch (Step-by-Step)
Quick answer To adjust a weight distribution hitch, park on level ground and measure from the ground to the front wheel-well lip three times: (A) truck unhitched, (B) trailer coupled with spring bars off, and (C) spring bars engaged with the jack retracted. Calculate 100 × (B − C) ÷ (B − A). Most hitch […]
How Often Should You Repack Trailer Bearings?
Wheel bearings are small, cheap parts that carry the whole weight of your trailer. When they fail, they can overheat, seize, and in the worst case let a wheel come off. Bearing problems are also among the most preventable trailer breakdowns, because the fix is routine maintenance on a schedule. This guide covers how often […]
Towing a U-Haul Trailer for the First Time: A Step-by-Step Guide
Renting a cargo or utility trailer is how many people tow for the very first time. You are moving apartments, hauling furniture, or picking up a project car, and suddenly there is a trailer behind your vehicle. Rental trailers are designed for this, but the driving still takes care. This guide walks you through the […]