Trailer Towing Checklist

Towing the trailer can be intimidating for first timers. With some training, and supporting checklists most of the tension and stress can be mitigated. Below are some such materials to ensure you have a safe and well-planned trip.

Driving the F-350

Before towing, it's best to get familiar with the F-350 itself. Before driving the F-350 you first need to complete and have an up-to-date defensive driving training certificate. You can access that online training at the following link: https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/general/training.

Some general requirements:

1. If you've never driven a large truck before, find a buddy who has to go with you.
2. If you're going to be in tight spaces and parking lots, always take a buddy who can exit the truck to spot for you.
3. Always check the truck out in SUMS, and fill the driver's log even if you aren't leaving the SCC or the odometer doesn't increment a full mile.
   1. Every driver must be listed in the log
4. Familiarize yourself with the accident procedure so you aren't caught off guard if one occurs.
5. Trips >100mi MUST have a pre-trip inspection conducted by the driver.
6. The truck takes Diesel fuel. It must be return with 3/4 take or greater. Also verify the DEF level.
   1. Def may be located in the SCC by the high-bay. Def can be stored in the external tool cabinet while traveling.

Some general tips:

1. Never speed, the speed is tracked by GPS by the state.
2. Never go above 65mph while towing (esp. if inexperienced).
3. Be conscious of the bed width, it is much wider than the cab and will be your limiting factor for making turns.
4. Complete a pre-trip inspection if you are leaving the SCC in degraded conditions (traffic, weather) even if it is not explicitly required.

Towing the RJ Trailer

Towing a trailer adds several dimensions to driving not present with just an unfamiliar large vehicle.

Training Guidance

1. Always, always practice trailer towing before leaving the SCC.
2. Start with cones, midday to avoid a busy parking lot in the SCC.
3. Gradually ramp up to practice with tighter spaces and/or at night.
4. Practice slowly backing up for longer distances.

Trailer Kit (Orange Tool Chest) Checklist

• A hitch and ball that fit our trailer
• A 7-pin to 4-pin lights adapter
• Several tie down straps of various sizes, in good condition
• A tire pressure gauge (missing)
• Spare automotive fuses for the F-350 and F-150 (missing)

Parked Trailer Checklist

• All doors latched and locked
• Back legs in the down position, and bearing weight
• Wheel chocks in place (both tires, forward and aft)
• Trailer hitch closed and locked
• Trailer lights cable capped for protection from elements
• Front leg down and bearing some weight

Trailer Loading Checklist

1. Before loading or unloading the trailer, ensure the parked trailer checklist has been completed.
2. Load items such that 60% of the weight is forward of the trailer axle.
   1. This is less relevant for loads <100lbs. When in doubt, just load forward of the axle.
3. All items should strapped down such that they have no freedom of movement on any axis.
   1. Forward/backward mobility is especially important as shifting items can move the CoM behind the axle and destabilize the trailer.
4. Make your best attempt at balancing weight laterally (left/right).

Departure Procedure and Checklist

1. Verify weights and balances as described in the Trailer Loading Checklist section.
2. All doors latched and locked
3. Stow the rear support legs
   1. Lower the nose of the trailer by turning the crank (lifts tail up)
   2. Depress the lever on back leg to lift the ground pad up
      1. Ensure it locks back at the elevated position
   3. Raise the nose of the trailer again to prepare for hitching
4. Prepare the F-350
   1. Install the correct trailer hitch ball size from the orange tool box
      1. Remove any incorrect sized ball currently installed
         1. Remove the locking pin
         2. Remove the locking bar
         3. Remove the hitch
         4. Place the hitch in the F-350's external tool box on the right side of the vehicle, under the bed
      2. Install the correct size ball
      3. Replace the locking bar
      4. Replace the locking pin
5. Prepare the trailer
   1. Use a shop key to remove the lock from the hitch
   2. Release the hitch by depressing the safety and moving the lever up
6. Hitch the trailer
   1. Have one member stand beside the trailer hitch
   2. Have one member in the F-350, prepared to backup
   3. Have any additional members off to the sides prepared to alert the driver if they are about to collide with something
   4. The F-350 operator should have a backup camera to get close to the hitch
      1. Backup slowly
   5. When the truck is very close, the member standing next to the hitch should provide refined movement advice
      1. e.g. back 1 inch, forward 1/2 inch
   6. Crank the trailer down so the hitch descends onto the ball
      1. You can use your body weight to pull-push the trailer into alignment
      2. This is usually feasible to do for upto 0.5-1 inches in any direction
   7. Close the latch
   8. Relock the latch
7. Attach the emergency breakaway chains
   1. The chains should cross (e.g. left chain on the trailer should attach to the right of the F-350 hitch)
8. Locate the 7-pin to 4-pin power adapter and insert it into the receptacle
9. Attach the trailer lights to the adapter
10. Stow the front crank
    1. Crank it all the way up
    2. Remove the locking pin
    3. Rotate the crank assembly 90 degrees
    4. Reinsert the locking pin
11. Verify the lights
    1. All running lights on
    2. Rear brake lights functional (at least 2/3 by law)
    3. Left turn signal functional
    4. Right turn signal functional
12. Remove chocks and stow in F-350 rear seat

Review Checklist

1. weights, balances, and tie-downs reviewed
2. rear legs up
3. lights checked
4. hitch locked
5. emergency chains crossed and attached
6. crank up and locked
7. chocks out and stowed
8. F-350 inspection completed
9. log book filled

Arrival Procedure and Checklist

1. Reverse the procedure in the departure section.
2. Complete the Parked Trailer Checklist.
3. Complete the F-350 inspection
4. Complete the log book