How to Tow With a Five Speed

Towing with a five-speed requires a little more attention.

Towing is a big responsibility, if for no other reason than because an accident with a trailer in tow will amplify the damage. Towing with a manual transmission is a little more difficult than with an automatic for a few reasons. Pressing the clutch and shifting the gears adds another task to take the driver's attention away from the road. Towing with a manual transmission also requires the driver to "feather" the clutch more to add low-end torque when accelerating. This reduces the life of the clutch.

Instructions

1. Look in your vehicle's owner's manual for its maximum towing capacity in pounds. Make sure the trailer's mass plus the weight of the cargo is less than this rating.

2. Position the vehicle so that its hitch ball is below the trailer's coupler. Lower the coupler onto the ball and lock it in place by lowering the latch and securing it with a cotter pin.

3. Push the trailer's electrical connector into the vehicle's electrical receiver. Attach the trailer's left chain to the right side of the hitch and the right chain to the left side.

4. Place the tow vehicle in first gear and feather the clutch while adding some gas. Accelerate more slowly than normal to lessen the stress on the drive train.

5. Increase the following distance to the vehicle in front of you to adjust for the decreased braking ability with a trailer behind. Reduce the amount of downshifting you use to slow the vehicle and trailer. The weight of the trailer accelerates the wear on the vehicle's clutch. Use the brakes to compensate for less downshifting.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice towing in an abandoned parking lot or quiet country road until you are comfortable with the trailer behind you.

References

• Sherline: Trailer Loading and Towing Guide
• Lets Getaway: How Do I Choose the Right Tow Vehicle?
• Florida Horse; Tow Vehicle Considerations; Greg Murphy; November 2004

Resources

• Towing World: Towing Laws Listed by State