12 Tips on How to Drive With a Trailer

Have you seen the latest GMC pickup trucks? The technology in the cabin of every Canyon, Sierra 1500, and Sierra HD is outstanding. These vehicles provide plenty of comfort, connectivity, and convenience features to get things done more effectively. 

One thing you’ll love about these pickup trucks is the towing technology that helps make trailering easier. Look for the ProGrade Trailering System on select models, giving you a hitch view to help align the hitch with the trailer, an in-vehicle trailer app, and a bed view with zoom and bed views for fifth-wheel trailering.

Keep reading to discover 12 tips on how to drive with a trailer so you can make your towing even easier than ever.

1) Inspect the Trailer

Before you hook your pickup to the trailer, thoroughly inspect it to see if everything is in working order. A pre-trip inspection can help prevent damage and costly repairs if you see something amiss.

Begin by looking over the trailer’s frame for cracks, rust, or loose bolts. Examine the hitch coupler, and make sure the latch moves as you expect. Inspect the safety chains for wear and corrosion.

Next, look over the electrical system. Examine the wiring for frays, exposed copper, or loose connections that might cause shorts. The electrical system must work properly in order for the lights to come on at the back of the trailer. 

Check the tires for adequate tread depth and proper inflation. Loose or missing lug nuts create a hazard, so tighten them to the right tension. Inspect the suspension components and brakes (if the trailer has brakes) to prevent issues on rough roads.

If you are packing items onto a trailer, the weight must be distributed evenly. Secure everything with ratchet straps to ensure safety. Otherwise, the weight could shift and cause the trailer to sway while traveling at higher speeds.

2) Hook Up the Trailer

Hooking up the trailer to the hitch is sometimes the most challenging aspect of hauling something behind your truck. Luckily, with modern technology, maneuvering your truck is not as hard as it used to be.

1. Back up to the trailer.

Start by aligning your pickup truck with the trailer. Make sure the trailer’s coupler is high enough off the ground for your truck’s hitch to go underneath it. Leave enough space for maneuvering. This is where a rear camera view comes in handy! Use your side mirrors or backup camera to guide you as you reverse, aiming to center your hitch ball with the trailer’s coupler. 

2. Use a spotter (optional).

If you don’t have a rearview camera, ask someone to help guide you from outside the truck. A spotter can give clear instructions for adjusting your angle and distance to prevent accidental damage to the trailer or truck. They can also help direct you when you’re close to connecting.

3. Lower the trailer’s coupler onto the hitch ball.

Once you properly align the hitch to the coupler, slowly back up until the trailer’s coupler is just above the hitch ball. You don’t have to get it exactly, but within an inch or two is preferred.

As you lower the coupler, make sure it fully covers the hitch ball. The weight of the trailer should make it fall neatly onto the ball as the final part of this step.

4. Lock the coupler.

Engage the coupler latch, which usually sits above and slightly behind the part of the coupler that sits on the ball hitch. Then lock it over the hitch ball. Insert the pin or safety lock to secure the coupler and prevent accidental detachment while driving. 

5. Connect the electrical system.

Plug the trailer’s wiring harness into your truck’s electrical port. This provides power for the trailer’s lights and brakes.

6. Test the lights and brakes.

Turn on your truck and test the trailer lights, including brake lights, turn signals, and running lights. Check the electrical system to ensure proper connections and functionality. Have your spotter confirm the light signals and brake activation from the outside.

7. Double-check connections.

Before hitting the road, double-check the safety chains and electrical connections. Tighten any loose connections and ensure the trailer sits securely on the hitch.

3) Use Safety Chains

The safety chains act as a backup connection between your truck and trailer, providing an extra layer of security in case the trailer detaches from the hitch. They help prevent the trailer from completely separating and causing an even more dangerous situation. 

Attach the safety chains to the hitch properly, crossing them underneath the hitch in case the coupler disconnects from the ball. There should be two sturdy holes on either side of the hitch where the chains will go. Always check that the chains are tight and free from slack to keep both your vehicle and others safe on the road. 

4) Practice Makes Permanent

We highly recommend practicing several times as you get used to trailering. As with any new task, learning how to back up to a trailer takes patience. 

1. Find an open space away from public roads, like an empty parking lot or a wide driveway with minimal obstacles. 
2. Mark a target area using cones or chalk to simulate the trailer’s hitch.
3. Use your mirrors and camera to back up. Adjust your side mirrors to provide a clear view of the hitch and rear bumper. If your truck has a backup camera, use it for fine adjustments, but avoid relying on it entirely.
4. Start with small adjustments by moving slowly in reverse, using slight steering movements to guide the truck. Oversteering can cause the rear to swing too far, making it harder to align the rear with the trailer. Note how, when you steer in reverse, the bed of the truck moves. When you turn the steering wheel to the right, the rear of the truck moves to the right. When you turn the steering wheel to the left, the rear of the truck moves to the left.
5. Practice with a spotter, and ask a buddy to guide you using clear hand signals or verbal cues. A spotter helps correct your angle and distance, preventing unnecessary repositioning. For example, a spotter can point to the left to indicate you need to turn to the left. Then, that person can show you with their hands apart how far you are from the target area.
6. Try different angles by setting up practice scenarios where you approach the trailer hitch from various positions. This helps you develop muscle memory for real-world situations.
7. Repeat regularly to improve accuracy, reducing the time and effort needed to hitch up your trailer with confidence.

5) Speed When Trailering

When trailering, you need to manage your speed properly for safety, stability, and control. The key is to accelerate gradually, allowing the truck and trailer to move as a single unit. Sudden acceleration can cause swaying, especially if the trailer carries an uneven load. Keep an eye on your speedometer and maintain a speed of 5 to 10 mph below the posted speed limit.

Pay Attention to Road Conditions

Maintain a steady speed by monitoring road conditions and adjusting based on the weather and the amount of traffic. Use cruise control only on flat, open highways, avoiding it on winding roads, steep grades, or in heavy traffic. 

Sudden speed changes can cause your trailer to fishtail, meaning the rear end of the trailer moves back and forth like a fish’s tail when it swims. When traveling downhill, downshift to lower gears rather than relying solely on brakes. This can help prevent overheating your engine and overstressing the brakes.

Allow for More Space When Braking

Allow extra space between your vehicle and others to accommodate longer stopping distances. A heavily loaded trailer requires more time to slow down, so anticipate braking earlier than normal. Apply brakes gently and evenly to prevent trailer sway or jackknifing. If your trailer has electronic brakes, adjust the brake controller settings to match road conditions and load weight. 

Wind

Wind, curves, and passing vehicles can affect speed and trailer control. Reduce speed before entering turns to maintain stability. Strong crosswinds or passing trucks can create turbulence, pushing the trailer off course. Slowing down in these situations helps maintain control and prevents swaying.

6) Seeing Behind You

Trailering makes it more difficult to see behind you because you don’t have the luxury of your rearview mirror. This is where trailering technology comes into play, such as a camera at the back of the trailer with trailer see-through features. GMC Pro Grade Trailering technology helps with this because you can use a camera with a compatible trailer that provides a view of what’s behind you. 

Using Mirrors

Even with technological tools and camera views, you still need to use your side mirrors to see what’s behind you. Adjust your side mirrors to provide the widest possible view of the trailer’s sides and the road behind. Extendable towing mirrors improve visibility by reducing blind spots. Talk to us about installing improved towing mirrors if your model doesn’t have them already. 

Check mirrors frequently to monitor traffic and ensure the trailer stays aligned with your lane. A quick glance every few seconds helps anticipate lane changes, merging vehicles, or obstacles. When changing lanes, use turn signals early and make gradual moves, allowing other drivers time to react. A spotter or rearview camera can assist when reversing or maneuvering in tight spaces.

Backing Up and Blind Spots

Practice using your mirrors in an empty parking lot by backing up and turning with the trailer. This helps develop confidence in judging distances and angles. If available, a wireless backup camera mounted on the trailer provides a direct view behind, improving precision when reversing.

Stay aware of blind spots and avoid sudden movements that limit your reaction time and the reaction time of other drivers. Larger trailers block more visibility, requiring extra caution when navigating traffic. 

7) Turning

As with everything when trailering, you must be extra careful due to the added weight and reduced sightlines. Turning with a trailer attached requires wider angles, controlled movements, and constant awareness of your surroundings at every stage of the turn.

Approach turns in the city and on the highway at a slower speed, allowing yourself enough time to maneuver smoothly. Signal earlier than usual, giving other drivers time to react. Check your mirrors to see if the trailer follows your intended path without clipping curbs, obstacles, or other vehicles.

Make Wider Turns

Swing wider than normal when making turns to prevent the trailer’s rear wheels from cutting corners too sharply or hitting a trailer. A trailer takes a shorter inside path than the truck due to the angles at which it turns. This makes it more likely to hit objects near the turn. Adjust your steering to guide both your truck and trailer safely through the curve while maintaining lane position.

Use Mirrors Effectively

Monitor your trailer’s movement throughout the turn by using your side mirrors. If necessary, make small corrections to keep the trailer aligned with your intended direction. Avoid sudden steering movements that could cause swaying or jackknifing, especially at higher speeds. 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice turning in an open area to develop a feel for the trailer’s tracking behavior. Set up cones or markers to simulate real-world turns, helping you refine your technique. You’ll get the hang of it!

8) Trailer Brakes

Most trailers are equipped with some kind of brakes. There are two kinds: electronic and surge brakes. Electronic brakes are controlled from the cabin of the vehicle, usually from a computer-controlled system that applies trailer brakes based on the braking of the truck. Surge brakes work by sensing the inertia of the trailer and activating a mechanism that applies brakes based on the forces moving the trailer.

Setting the Electronic Trailer Brakes

GMC’s Pro Grade Trailering system can help you set the electronic trailer brakes if your trailer is equipped with them. Adjust the brake controller to match your trailer’s weight and road conditions. Too much braking force can cause the trailer to lock up, while too little reduces stopping power. Perform a test stop in a safe location, gradually increasing brake gain until the trailer slows smoothly without jerking.

Understand Braking Distances

Apply the truck brakes gently and in advance, allowing enough time for a controlled stop. A loaded trailer increases stopping distances, so make sure to press the brake pedal earlier. If the trailer pushes against the truck during braking, slightly increase the gain on the electronic braking settings for better balance.

Braking and Hills

When descending steep hills, use a lower gear and engage trailer brakes intermittently to prevent overheating. Relying solely on truck brakes can cause excessive wear on the truck’s brake pads. If your trailer has an electric brake system, manually activate it in small bursts to maintain control on long downhill stretches or set the brakes to hill mode if you know that you are approaching hilly terrain.

Emergency Braking

In emergency situations, use the manual brake override to stabilize the trailer. If swaying occurs, briefly apply the trailer brakes without using the truck’s brakes to help straighten the alignment. Again, this is where practice helps.

9) Highway Driving

If you’re ready for a camping trip to NWA, heading to the lake with your fishing boat, or transporting livestock to another location, understanding how to drive on the highway with a trailer is vital for safety and a smooth trip.

1. Maintain a steady speed and stay 5 to 10 mph below the posted speed limit. Lower your speed even further during adverse weather. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking, which can cause the trailer to make sudden movements independently of your truck.
2. Increase your following distance to account for longer stopping distances. A heavily loaded trailer requires more time to slow down safely. That’s why traveling at a lower speed is important in this regard.
3. Stay in the right lane whenever possible, allowing faster traffic to pass. Many highways prohibit trailers from using left lanes in certain areas.
4. Check your mirrors frequently to monitor traffic, blind spots, and trailer positioning. Extended towing mirrors improve visibility, and you can use high-tech towing cameras for extra assistance.
5. Make gradual lane changes and signal early. Change lanes slowly. Quick movements can cause the trailer to sway or cut off other drivers.
6. Watch for crosswinds and passing trucks. Crosswinds and large vehicles can push your trailer sideways. Reduce speed slightly and grip the wheel firmly when encountering strong gusts.
7. Plan fuel stops wisely. Choose truck-friendly gas stations with enough space to maneuver easily.
8. Stop periodically to inspect your trailer, tires, and hitch connections to ensure everything remains secure. We recommend stopping once an hour or two for the best results. If you see something amiss with the trailer, pull over sooner rather than later.

10) Hills

Driving on hills while towing a trailer can be a bit tricky. With the right techniques and practice, it becomes a lot easier and safer:

1. Use Lower Gears

Put the vehicle in “Drive” or “Tow/Haul” mode if available. These modes adjust the transmission to handle the load better. Many vehicles have “tow” modes that will adjust the automatic transmission accordingly.

2. Start Slowly and Steady

When you’re on a hill, especially a steep one, start moving slowly and steadily to avoid rolling backward if you’re going uphill.

If you have to stop on a hill, use the parking brake (handbrake) to prevent rollback. Then slowly release it as you apply the accelerator.

3. Ascend and Descend Slowly

When pulling a trailer uphill, gradually hit the accelerator. Try not to over-rev the engine.

When going downhill, downshift to lower gears to reduce the speed instead of relying too much on your brakes. Constant braking can cause the brakes to overheat.

4. Maintain a Safe Speed

Going too fast downhill with a trailer can be dangerous, especially if you’re on a steep incline. Stick to lower speeds to maintain better control.

Always keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you so you have more time to react to any unexpected changes.

5. Check Your Trailer’s Weight Distribution

Make sure the trailer is loaded evenly to ensure proper weight distribution. Too much weight on the back of the trailer can cause it to sway on hills, especially during acceleration or braking.

6. Keep a Cool Head on Steep Roads

If the incline is too steep or the road too winding, consider pulling over and taking a break. Don’t feel pressured to push through if you’re feeling uneasy or your vehicle isn’t handling the load well.

7. Practice Before the Trip

If you’re new to towing a trailer, practice driving on smaller hills before tackling bigger ones. This will help you feel more confident with the vehicle and trailer combination.

11) Backing Up With a Trailer

Backing up with a trailer requires focus, patience, and practice. Adjust your grip on the steering wheel. Place your hands at the bottom, and as you steer, move in small, controlled motions. When you steer to the right, the trailer will go to the right.

Use Mirrors and a Camera

Utilize your mirrors and any rearview camera to track the trailer’s path. As you turn the wheel, watch how the trailer responds. Make adjustments as necessary to prevent it from jackknifing or veering too far off course. Always remain mindful of the space around you.

The rearview camera and trailering technology can help here. Many advanced systems can show you guidelines for moving a trailer in a particular direction. Keep this in mind, and practice as you learn how to do this.

Move Slowly

As you reverse, keep the trailer moving slowly. Quick, jerky movements might require you to start over. Instead, take your time and focus on small adjustments. If the trailer begins to swing too wide, steer the vehicle in the opposite direction to correct its course. You might need to move the steering wheel a lot as you learn to adjust.

Take Your Time

When reversing in tight spaces, take multiple attempts. Don’t rush. Recheck your angle before continuing. Step out of the vehicle if needed to get a better view of your surroundings. This simple act often provides a clearer perspective and helps prevent collisions. Make sure to set the emergency brake when stepping out of the vehicle.

Remember, practice, practice, practice!

12) Disconnecting the Trailer

After pulling the trailer to its destination, you’ll need to disconnect it from the pickup truck. Make sure the trailer is on stable, level ground so it doesn’t roll forward or backward.

Turning Off Your Truck

1. Shifting your truck into park.
2. Turn off the engine.
3. Engage the parking brake to ensure the truck remains stationary throughout the process. 
4. Approach the hitch area carefully.

Disconnecting the Trailer Chains and Electronics

1. Start by releasing the safety chains. 
2. Unclip each chain from the truck’s rear bumper, ensuring they don’t drag on the ground. 
3. Once removed, set them aside in a safe location to prevent tangling or damage. Disconnect the trailer’s wiring harness by releasing the plug from the truck’s socket. 
4. Keep the harness off the ground to avoid dirt or water getting inside the connectors.

Raising Up the Trailer From the Hitch

1. Put chocks behind the trailer wheels to prevent it from rolling backward.
2. Unlock the coupler latch.
3. Use the trailer jack to lift the trailer slightly, relieving pressure on the hitch ball. 
4. Gently pull the hitch off the ball. 
5. Ensure the trailer remains steady to avoid any sudden shifts and ensure that the hitch fully disengages.
6. Move the truck forward and away from the trailer coupler.
7. Lower the trailer jack to make the trailer level with the ground.

Now, you’re done! Drive away from the trailer so you can go on with your day!

Best Vehicles at Thompson Sales for Trailering

Thompson Sales is happy to help you find a truck or SUV with outstanding trailering capabilities. Not every trim of every model has the same towing capacities. Each model must be equipped with the right tow hitch and towing equipment to get the maximum towing capacities.

Look for these new models with these towing capacities on our lot:

• Buick Encore GX, 1,000 pounds of max towing
• Buick Envision, 1,500 pounds of max towing
• Buick Enclave, 5,000 pounds of max towing
• GMC Terrain, 1,500 pounds of max towing 
• GMC Acadia, 5,000 pounds of max towing
• GMC Canyon, 7,700 pounds of max towing
• GMC Yukon, 8,000 pounds of max towing
• GMC Yukon XL, 8,400 pounds of max towing
• GMC Sierra EV, 10,000 pounds of max towing
• Hummer EV Pickup and SUV, 12,000 pounds of max towing
• GMC Sierra 1500, 13,200 pounds of max towing
• GMC Sierra 2500, 18,500 pounds of max towing
• GMC Sierra 3500, 36,000 pounds of max towing

Contact us or call (417) 763-6811 if you have questions or want to take a test drive at Thompson Sales. We’re happy to help in any way we can!