Never towed, buying a trailer

[BA33]

Extra stopping time is critical. A lot of headaches can be avoided by driving ahead. Need to exit in a mile? Get over now. Sudden moves are not your friend.

As far as backing a trailer, use your side mirrors. My dad taught me to chase the trailer with your steering wheel to correct it. For instance, if you look in the passenger mirror and see the trailer heading that way when you don't want it to, then turn your steering wheel toward the trailer (in this instance to the right). It was always satisfying taking one shot down the boat ramp at 15 and watching others struggle. Longer backup distance with minor correction is easier than jockeying around in a tight space.

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[bd100]

Looking at something like the Big Tex 30SA 5x10. Pretty dinky trailer but should do for what I'm wanting. Will be able to put plastic storage boxes on the trailer and the bed of the truck can be used for the less heavy, more valuable, junk.

Perhaps a roof-high cap over the bed, and skip the trailer? The cap gives you a lot of vertical space in the bed, about twice the total volume compared to a bed cover, and it's weather proof and lockable.

That particular trailer does not seem to have any brakes, which limits how much weight you can legally carry in some states. And it might get squirrley in a sudden stop, especially if turning while slowing or in slippery weather.

Research the possibility of using LT tires instead of ST tires. They do great on our camping trailer of similar weight.

 

[Jefe1018]

The truck speed limit is 75-80 mph out here in the wild wild west

Utah and Idaho’s 80mph limit scare me at times. I’ve done 85 and have people flying by like I’m standing still. Horrifying when you drive a shoe box like we do.

 

[Gatorized]

Consider an enclosed trailer … more secure and can use for storage.

 

[Mister Lamb]

Make sure your tires are inflated to the cold psi on your door jam. I'd even go 1-2psi over (cold).

 

[Mr._Bill]

A 5x10 trailer is not very big, especially if it is an open trailer. I would look at an enclosed trailer with two axles, 6x12 or larger. Put as much as possible in the trailer, and save the cab and bed space for what you will need to frequently access during the trip.

 

[RdFx21]

Gold is a problem I wish I had. And I am actually taking a fairly large amount of lead haha

Also, cross the chains:

 

[Victoryrider78]

I've done plenty of towing, from a 4X6 trailer to a 53' van trailer. I see a lot of good advice in this thread. One of the most important is definitely using your mirrors, whether you are going forward or in reverse. Keep an eye on your trailer, especially around turns, and don't forget to give yourself enough space on tight turns.

A trailer can get loose and start to move side to side especially going down hill. The best thing that you can do is hit the throttle and then let off to a coast. That might sound odd but it will straighten the trailer out and keep you in control. Just follow the rules of the road and you will be just fine.

 

[Jcsii]

You may want to invest in a spare tire if the trailer does not come with it and some way to jack it up. Curt makes a bluetooth trailer brake if you need it. You can also go to Harbor Freight and get some cheap locks for the hitch if you have overnight stops.

If you plan on reselling once you get to your destination you may want to investigate the title requirements. South Carolina does not require titles, North Carolina does, huge headache to get a used trailer bought in SC titled in NC. Not sure about your states.

 

[Jefe1018]

Are you driving non-stop? An enclosed trailer may be more secure if you’re staying in a hotel room along the way.

 

[DCPHOENIX]

You may want to invest in a spare tire if the trailer does not come with it and some way to jack it up. Curt makes a bluetooth trailer brake if you need it. You can also go to Harbor Freight and get some cheap locks for the hitch if you have overnight stops.

If you plan on reselling once you get to your destination you may want to investigate the title requirements. South Carolina does not require titles, North Carolina does, huge headache to get a used trailer bought in SC titled in NC. Not sure about your states.

I’m pretty sure Texas doesn’t require titles for trailers under a certain weight.

 

[DCPHOENIX]

Are you driving non-stop? An enclosed trailer may be more secure if you’re staying in a hotel room along the way.

Will be blasting through as non stop as I can get away with. That drive is extremely boring and it’s just going to be me and the animals. Convinced the wife that she and daughter should fly

 

[NC_Overland]

I second or third or whatever checking the hitch connections and chains. One of the last trailers I rented from uhaul I didn’t double check the guy’s work when attaching the trailer. It came unhooked. Thankfully, when going slow across a parking lot speed bump. It slid under the back and didn’t hurt anything. It was also still empty so I was able to lift it back up and reattach by myself. I was so pissed, but also lucky. The noise it made, I would have thought the tailgate and bumper were trashed. Zero damage.

 

[WetWilly]

Here is my 2 cents worth, I just bought a new 5 x 10 Crown trailer. They do not come with a spare tire, GET ONE ! And the trailer I bought has grease bearing buddies on the hubs, but listen up here... Even new things can be lacking from the factory so pull the wheels and tires and hubs and do a wheel bearing pack with good grease. Do not trust a few squirts of grease through a bearing buddy to do it. I just got done with a few hundred miles towing it and Willy really didn't know it was behind us.

 

[Jefe1018]

Will be blasting through as non stop as I can get away with. That drive is extremely boring and it’s just going to be me and the animals. Convinced the wife that she and daughter should fly

Ah yeah I get it, I drive Vegas to Houston about once a year. Nothing spectacular along the way, ha.

Godspeed to you sir.

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