Tips for Towing Your Food Truck

When towing a food truck, there are many safety considerations that must be taken into account and among your safest bet is hiring a Santa Clara towing company. From the trailer you’re towing to the order in which your trucks are placed on the trailer, these tips will help you safely tow your food truck.

Towing Vehicle Requirements

The first step when towing a food truck is to make sure your vehicle meets the requirements set out by the manufacturer. For example, your tow vehicle must be able to safely pull the weight of your food truck and trailer.

Trailer Loading Order

The order in which your trucks are loaded on the trailer is important, with the heaviest truck loaded first. This will help keep the trailer level and reduce wear and tear on all of your vehicles. It’s also important to load any liquids last, as they go in the back of the trailer to avoid spilling.

Proper Straps and Chains

One of the most important safety considerations is attaching your trailer to the tow vehicle. If you’re using a normal trailer, it’s important that you use straps and chains with enough strength to hold your weight. You’ll need at least one strap for each axle on the trailer, as well as a chain for each side of the axle. In some cases, two straps are needed instead of one.

The best way to know if you need two straps is by looking at how close together the tires are on the axle. If they’re very close together, it’s easier for them to pull out and cause serious damage to, or entirely unhitch from your tow vehicle.

Clearance

Clearance is important when towing a food truck. To avoid damaging the trailer, your tow vehicle must have enough clearance to accommodate the height of your trailer. You’ll need to measure how much clearance is available using boards or measuring tape. Your tow vehicle’s bumper must be at least 6 inches away from the hitch ball.

Ways you can increase your vehicle’s clearance are by raising the tow vehicle’s front end on ramps before you attach it to the trailer or by raising the tongue jack on your trailer. You can also lower your trailer’s hitch pin so that the ball is closer to the ground, but this isn’t recommended because it might cause problems with loading and unloading equipment while traveling.