How to Pack and Tow Your Cargo Trailer

A cargo trailer is a great asset to have. The enclosed space allows for long travel with heavy cargo while protecting items from inclement weather.  Cargo trailers’ enclosed walls also keep cargo from slipping out onto the road and deter thieves with sticky fingers. We here at Lone Star Trailers want you to have the best experience possible with your trailer. If you have questions after reading our tips on successful packing and towing, feel free to visit our dealership in Lacy Lakeview and speak with one of our helpful customer service associates! 

Tools

To successfully pack and tow your trailer you’ll need a number of tools before getting started!

• A Hitch: You can often buy your hitch from the same place you bought your trailer- at your dealership! However automotive stores like AutoZone also sell trailer hitches.
• Tow Chains: An important part of safely hitching and towing your trailer is the tow chains. Much like your hitch they can be bought from a dealership or automotive store.
• Bungee Straps: Cargo trailers are enclosed so you don’t need to worry about anything falling out! However, it can be dangerous when large items move around in your trailer. Bungee straps will ensure everything stays in place as you drive.

Loading Strategies

Your cargo trailer’s handbook is a great resource! It will often include several different loading strategies that will come in handy when moving numerous items, or even extremely large ones. However, our general advice would be to load your trailer with at least 60% of its cargo weight at the front (that is the part closest to your vehicle). The easiest way to do this is to place your heavier items at the front evenly distributed from right to left. This should give you an even tow and help avoid large items slipping and sliding around. 

Tow Limits

Before you even begin packing your trailer you’ll need to know your towing vehicles limitations. In your vehicle handbook you should be able to find your vehicle’s towing weight limit. This not only pertains to the weight of the trailer, but your cargo and passengers as well. You can find the weight of your trailer in its handbook. However, this weight is only correct when the trailer is empty. We advise using a certified scale (often found at truck stops) to measure the weight of your full trailer. A trailer beyond the max weight of its handbook’s recommendation or your truck's towing limits can be disastrous. 

Drive Safe

If you’re a bit green when it comes to towing you can hitch up your empty trailer and practice your maneuvering in a large parking lot. Practice driving and stopping slowly as well as accelerating at a safe speed. Check your mirrors and surroundings regularly, as your trailer will create new blindspots for you to adjust to. Being a good defensive driver with spatial awareness is the best way to remain safe with your trailer out on the road!

We hope this guide has been useful for you and your cargo trailer! If you’re still a little lost after reading this guide, whether you need some advice on checking your trucks tow limit, or knowing the correct PSI of your trailer wheels, come into our dealership and ask our experienced team any of your questions! We proudly serve the Waco-Temple, Texas area as a small town dealership with a huge heart!