Trucks are not just great for transporting goods on the truck bed, they are also perfect for towing. When going on a trip you can add loads of extra fun to the experience by taking a boat, jet skis or even a motorbike to get around on when the truck is parked. Trailers can add loads of extra storage space for any big projects and caravans give you comfortable accommodation wherever you go.
The first thing to consider is the type of tow bar that you are going to use. The three main categories are: flange, swan neck and detachable. With a flange the ball is attached to the bar with bolts and this has the advantage that you can alter the height of the tow bar. This type is very adaptable as it can be used with a variety of towing truck accessories and it is also the cheapest form of tow hitch. A swan neck tow bar is narrower, neater looking and compatible with a large variety of vehicles. The ball and bar are all one piece of metal, which looks very professional. The final type of tow bar is the most expensive. This is a detachable tow bar. When fitted it looks a lot like a swan neck tow bar but it has the advantage that it simply unclips when not in use.
Once you have fitted your hitch you need to find out what the towing capacity of your vehicle is. Never exceed this amount as you will reduce your stopping distance to an unacceptable level, make your vehicle unstable and increase the likelihood of sway. Many accidents are caused each year by people towing more weight than is advised for their vehicle. Check the manufacturers guide for your maximum tow weight or else try one of the many good guides to be found on the internet.
Once you have hitched up whatever you are going to tow check that your truck mirrors don’t have any blind spots caused by the extra size and check truck tyres to ensure that they are inflated correctly to account for the extra weight.
