4x4Wire

Mt. Patterson was our destination that beautiful autumn day. Part of the Sweetwater Range and located on the western edge of the Great Basin, Mt. Patterson’s summit offers a commanding view of that area.

The drive entails a slow climb on a one-lane shelf road. I was leading a group of seven vehicles up the long switchback. The road can be a little dicey if you encounter anyone coming down. There aren’t too many places to pull off.

At one point a party of six motorcycles came up from behind. Being courteous folks, we let the cyclists slip past. To create additional room, one driver decided to back up. His intention was to aim for the trail’s edge. But he almost went too far, dropping two wheels off the side.

Accelerating and braking aren’t the same when you are towing a trailer behind your vehicle. With the additional weight of your trailer and any cargo you are hauling, as well as the length of your trailer, acceleration is slower and your stopping distance is increased. In order to tow as safely as possible, it’s important to know the best practices for accelerating and braking while towing.

Accelerating
It will take longer to get up to speed when you are towing a trailer, so it is recommended that you take some time to adjust to these new variables so you are used to how long it will take you to accelerate when you hit the road. First, make sure your trailer and tow vehicle are properly connected and that your cargo is loaded properly. Then, find an open area with little or no traffic for a practice run.