JUNE 27, 2007

Land advises recreational trailer
owners on safe trips

With temperatures on the rise, many Michigan residents are packing up their campers or preparing their boats for a road trip to a favorite summer cabin or campsite. But before heading out of town for a weekend getaway, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds people to make sure their trailers are towed safely.

"Michigan is a paradise for boaters and campers alike," Land said. "But as you pack up for a fun weekend vacation, I encourage everyone to take a few extra moments to ensure the trailer they're towing is properly hitched and secured so their getaway remains safe and enjoyable."

Land reminds people that the law requires trailers or pop-up campers weighing 3,000 pounds or less to have two reflectors, one on each side, as well as safety chains that connect the tow vehicle to the trailer. The chains should be loose enough to allow sharp turns but not drag on the road.

Additionally, before people head out, Land advises them to check:

• Tire pressure on the trailer and tow vehicle;
• Whether the wiring is loose enough to make turns without disconnecting, but doesn't touch the ground;
• That their vehicle and hitch set up is able to pull the size of trailer they have;
• All turn signals, and running, hazard and brake lights; That all items on the trailer are properly secured;
• Side- and rear-view mirrors for good visibility; and,
• The trailer jack, tongue support and any stabilizers are raised and locked in place.

"Don't let safety take a back seat to haste when you head out with your trailer in tow," Land said. "Whether you're pulling a fifth-wheel RV that sleeps eight or a small sailboat built for two, you need to double-check your trailer so it reaches your destination intact."

Once on the road, people should:

• Always give themselves a much greater stopping distance than they would need without the trailer;
• Signal well in advance when passing a slower vehicle and allow extra distance to clear the vehicle;
• Use the automatic gear setting that the vehicle manufacturer recommends for pulling a trailer;
• Avoid sudden starts or stops that can cause skidding, sliding or jackknifing;
• Make wider turns at corners so the trailer doesn't hit the curb; and,
• Have another person when possible assist when backing up the vehicle and trailer.

People who want to pull a recreational trailer behind a fifth-wheel camper need a special license endorsement called an "R" endorsement, which is sometimes called a recreational double. Anyone 18 years old or older may apply at a Secretary of State branch office and must pass a knowledge test. The cost is $10. Commercial drivers who already have a double-trailer endorsement don't need to obtain the "R" endorsement.

Fifth-wheel trailers use a special hitch mounted to the bed of a pick up truck instead of a regular hitch ball mounted to or near the bumper.

Land reminds residents that they can obtain more traffic safety advice and more information about the department's programs and services through its Web site, www.Michigan.gov/sos.