| As you prepare to head out on the open road, you'll | | | | the right curb when I'm parking. There isn't going to |
| probably do a good job of hooking up your RV or | | | | be as much traffic approaching from my right side |
| trailer correctly. You'll probably check and re-check | | | | (because I generally drive in the right lane). That's |
| everything to make sure it doesn't fall apart on you. | | | | why the curb view is my bigger concern for the right |
| Most people don't realize the majority of towing | | | | mirror. |
| accidents don't result from improper hookups - they | | | | Understand my perspective on why the right curb |
| result from improper towing practices. | | | | view is so important to safety. I need to get the |
| How many of you have ever used, or even | | | | vehicle as close to the curb as possible to get it as |
| considered buying towing mirrors? If you've ever | | | | far from traffic as I can when I'm parking. |
| been behind the wheel of a bigger vehicle you know | | | | You always have to be conscious of the combined |
| how crucial having the right mirrors, and setting them | | | | length of your towing vehicle and your travel trailer. |
| up properly. Many people do this wrong. | | | | You're not a commercial truck driver (probably) so |
| Your biggest priority is maximizing visibility. If you're | | | | I'm going to give you a couple pointers on how you |
| driving a normal vehicle, you can always just turn | | | | can turn safely. The biggest thing to remember is |
| your head and look over your shoulder to see the | | | | what happens when you turn a long rig. |
| hazards around you. Other than turning your head, | | | | The trailer doesn't follow the exact path of the |
| you can always use your rear-view mirrors. | | | | towing vehicle, it cuts straight across that path. So |
| If you're pulling a huge 5th wheel, turning your head | | | | when you're making a right turn, don't forget to take |
| or simply glancing over your shoulder isn't going to be | | | | it a little wider so you're giving your trailer plenty of |
| sufficient. You don't have that advantage with a large | | | | room to clear the right-side curb. |
| vehicle. Your side mirrors are your only option. They | | | | My last thought about driving safe and smart when |
| have to be set correctly so they'll do the most good. | | | | you're towing is to brake intelligently. It's pretty |
| My personal preference is to set the left mirror to | | | | simple folks. You need to leave yourself more room |
| point directly back of the vehicle. By setting it up | | | | to stop when you're pulling a heavy trailer behind |
| that way, I ensure that the right side of that mirror | | | | your truck. |
| view follows the left edge of the vehicle I'm driving | | | | I'd allow about twice as much space between your |
| and the trailer I'm towing. That's where most traffic | | | | vehicle and the next one when you're towing, and |
| I'm concerned with will be. This mirror setting also | | | | give yourself twice as much time to stop at lights |
| gives me an early view of traffic coming from a long | | | | and intersections. |
| distance behind me. | | | | As always, common sense is the biggest factor in |
| I like to make sure the right side mirror is set to | | | | being safe. Give yourself plenty of time to get where |
| show the right side of the trailer. I also make sure to | | | | you're going, and take it easy. |
| angle the mirror down so I have a decent view of | | | | |