How to Tow an Enclosed Car Trailer

Ask any truck owner who has ever hitched his truck to an enclosed car trailer, and he’ll tell you that you need to know how to tow an enclosed car trailer before venturing out on the roads hooked up to one. The added length and width of the enclosed car trailer makes driving harder. You can tow an enclosed car trailer safely if you hook it up right and drive with it carefully.

Things You'll Need

  • Tow vehicle
  • Enclosed car trailer
  • Trailer hitch
  • Tow bar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Back the tow vehicle up to the trailer hitch, goose neck, or king pin. Make sure the alignment is straight and the tow bar on the tow vehicle is at the right height to engage the king pin on a fifth wheel hitch or just below the trailer hitch.

    • 2

      Slide the fifth wheel mounting pad around the king pin, locking it in place, or position the tow bar and ball under the trailer hitch by backing up the tow vehicle into position. Exit the tow vehicle and check that the king pin is secured within the fifth wheel mounting pad, or lower the enclosed trailer hitch onto the tow bar and ball by retracting the support legs of the enclosed trailer.

    • 3

      Connect the wiring harness that exits the tow vehicle into the female receiver on the enclosed car trailer. This connection powers the tail lights of the enclosed trailer, making it legal for travel on public streets. Check that the lights are in working order by entering the tow vehicle and having someone confirm that the trailer lights are in working order.

    • 4

      Look into the rear view mirrors on each of the tow vehicle's doors. Adjust the mirrors so that you are able to see the end of the trailer. Adjust the mirrors so that you can see the end of the trailer plus some of the area to the left and right of each end. This adjustment will give you an ample view of what’s going on behind and directly to the side of the rear of the enclosed trailer when on the road.

    • 5

      Retract the enclosed trailer’s support legs completely. Double check that the enclosed trailer’s lights, tire air pressure, and turning clearance (the distance from the front of the trailer to the back of the tow vehicle) are within the limits of the tow vehicle and the trailer prior to driving away.

    • 6

      Enter the roadways carefully when towing an enclosed trailer until you have gained enough experience to know more than the beginner. As a beginner you will have to remain vigilant to all the demands of the roadways you are driving. That includes accelerating, braking, turning, and changing lanes when towing an enclosed car trailer. Distance is key to operating a tow vehicle and trailer safely.

    • 7

      Follow the rules of the road. Do not speed. Do not accelerate too quickly. Do not brake too quickly. Always use your turn signals. When making a right-hand turn, drive as far out into the intersection as you can before turning the wheel to the right. Allow enough room for the rear trailer wheels to make it around the corner without having to jump a curb or drive over property outside of the roadway.