Safety Tips for Towing
We want to be sure you and your vehicle arrive at your destination safely. Please take the following added safety precautions when hooking up and using a tow dolly or car carrier:
- Carefully review and follow the towing equipment instructions provided.
- Only use your Penske car carrier or tow dolly behind your Penske truck.
- The Penske towing device must be properly connected to the truck before loading.
- Keep hands clear of the coupler/tow ball area when lowering the coupler to the tow ball.
- Ensure that the coupler is properly seated on the tow ball and locked into position.
- Properly secure the safety chains from the car carrier or tow dolly to the truck.
- Never raise or lower the jack on a car carrier with a vehicle loaded on it.
- Never unhook a loaded trailer or tow dolly from the towing vehicle.
- Do not overload the car carrier or tow dolly.
- When loading and unloading your vehicle, have someone guide you from a safe distance.
- Do not load the towed vehicle with pets or other possessions.
- Avoid backing up your rental truck with a towing device attached.
- Properly install the ratchet assembly safety pin and safety clip.
- Properly secure the emergency brake actuator cable from the car carrier to the truck.
- Always do a walk-around inspection of your truck and loaded car carrier or tow dolly before departing.
- Check to see that all of the loading steps have been followed.
- Allow extra stopping distance.
- Check mirrors often – especially before passing or lane changes.
- Avoid sudden lane changes and stops.
- Allow extra room and slow down when turning corners.
- Check the bolts, coupler, safety chains, electrical hookup and tire straps after the first five miles of travel and at least every 50 miles thereafter.
- Do not exceed 55 mph when pulling a towing device.
- If swaying occurs, gradually slow down, safely park the vehicle in a designated pull-off area and check the towing equipment.
