cargo vans and trailer towing instructors: john lindstrom jim rogers

Cargo Vansand

Trailer Towing

Instructors:

John Lindstrom

Jim Rogers

Why Are We Here?

__% of all driving accidents are the result of excessive speed.

15 25 40 65

25% 25%25%25%1. 152. 253. 404. 65

70% of driving accidents occur within ___ miles of home.

15 25 40 65

25% 25%25%25%1. 152. 253. 404. 65

______employees who drive experience an accident while at work.

2 out of 5

3 out of 7

1 out of 4

5 out of 7

25% 25%25%25%1. 2 out of 52. 3 out of 73. 1 out of 4 4. 5 out of 7

_____ people know someone who has died in a car accident.

Few

Some

Many

Most

25% 25%25%25%1. Few2. Some3. Many4. Most

Managing Risk While Driving

How to stay safe on the road

Excerpts are taken from:Driving Survival

AAA Auto Guide – Jim Macpherson


• Why you should become a “risk manager.”• Driving sport-utility vehicles, vans and pickups.• Backing a large van.• Towing a trailer.

WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A “RISK MANAGER.”


Why You Should Become a“Risk Manager”

• Don’t become complacent and forget that risk is always present when you drive.

• Your perception of what’s dangerous isn’t always accurate.

• Driving is a social event:– Because you constantly interact with other drivers,

you share your risk with everyone else.• You can increase or decrease your level of risk.

The “Smith System”

• Developed in the 1950’s.• Adopt a routine:– Looking at the road immediately in front.– Scanning far ahead.– Checking conditions at the side of the road.– Checking traffic to the rear.– Checking the instruments.– Repeat the sequence.

The “Smith System”

• Adjust steering based on the view of the road far ahead.

• Maintain an escape path.• Signal so other motorists will know what to

expect.

Become completely aware of everything ________ ahead of you.

3 to 5 se

conds

5 to 10 se

conds

12 to 15 se

conds

30 to 60 se

conds

25% 25%25%25%1. 3 to 5 seconds2. 5 to 10 seconds3. 12 to 15 seconds 4. 30 to 60 seconds

Effective Risk Managers

• Search far ahead:– To anticipate potential problems.

• Know what’s in front of you:– Become completely aware of everything 12 to 15

seconds ahead of you.• Look to the sides in front of you:– Concentrate not only on the pavement but also on

the sides of the road.


• Search to the rear:– Remember, between one-quarter and one-third of

all two-vehicle collisions are rear-end collisions.• Leave space ahead:– AAA recommends that you leave at least a three-

second gap between your vehicle and the car in front of you.

• Leave space to one side:– Give yourself a second means of escape.


• Be alert at intersections:– Recognize that a STOP sign or a red light can’t

physically stop an oncoming car.– Recent statistics show that 2.7 million crashes

occurred at intersections:• 8,400 deaths• 995,000 injuries• Five crashes every minute of every day


• Compensate for restricted vision:– Blind spots resulting from your vehicle’s structure– Obstructions that can restrict vision:• Trees, shrubs, and buildings• Parked cars• Poor lighting• Facing into the sun or oncoming high beams


• Adapt quickly if road narrows:– The width of your travel lane may change for

many reasons:• The road itself gets narrower.• Construction.• Potholes.• Parked vehicles.• Motorists who drive or stop outside their lane.

Maintain at least two _______ when possible.

car le

ngths s

pacing

escape ro

utes

work

ing tailli

ghts

believable exc

uses

25% 25%25%25%1. car lengths spacing

2. escape routes 3. working taillights4. believable excuses


• Keep escape routes open:– Maintain at least two escape routes when

possible:• You can always change speed.• Make sure can steer to at least one alternate route in

an emergency.• Focus on where you want to go, NOT what you want to

avoid hitting:– People tend to steer in the direction they look.


• Use the mirrors:– Proper use of mirrors is critical to risk

management.– Scan your mirrors every two to five seconds in

traffic.– Check mirrors frequently:• When descending a hill.• When slowing or braking.• Before any lane change or change in position or

direction


• Know your limitations at night.• Night driving is three times as dangerous as

daylight driving:– Darkness limits visibility.– Fatigue is a constant companion.– Night is when many people drink before getting

behind the wheel.• Increase following distance from three-

seconds to six-seconds.


• Avoid distractions:– Distracted drivers factor in 25 percent to 50

percent of all vehicle crashes:• 1.5 million crashes annually.• Social and economic costs are an estimated $40 billion.

– Plan trips so that you aren’t on the road when you’re normally sluggish or sleeping.

– If you suffer from a sleep disorder, talk to your physician before you drive.


• Manage distractions:– If your mind wanders, remind yourself to stay

focused.– Avoid talking on the phone while driving.– Familiarize yourself with the features of your

vehicle's equipment.– Preset radio stations and climate control.– Secure items that may move around when the

vehicle is in motion.


• Manage distractions:– Avoid smoking, eating, drinking, and reading while

driving.– Review maps before hitting the road.– Monitor traffic conditions before engaging in

activities that could divert your attention from driving.

– Ask a passenger to help you do the things that can be distracting.


• Use caution in work zones:– Stay alert.– Pay close attention to signs and flaggers.– Turn on your headlights.– Don’t tailgate.– Don’t speed.– Keep up with traffic flow.– Don’t change lanes.– Minimize distractions.


• Pick up clues to anticipate what other drivers might do:– Slowing or braking for no apparent reason.– Drifting from side to side.– Slow driving, weaving and stopping well before

stop signs.– Erratic driving, weaving or significantly exceeding

the speed limit.


• Be prepared for anything:– If you can’t see all of the pavement you’ll cover in

the next four seconds, slow down.– If you think you’re headed into an area of reduced

traction, slow down and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you.


• Conduct a pre-operations inspection of the vehicle:– Overall appearance and condition.– Inspect all tires and check pressure.– Check tail lights, signals, headlights and wipers.– Check brakes, steering and horn.– Ensure cargo is properly loaded and secured.– Ensure seatbelts are fastened.


• NEVER take to the road impaired:– Sober.– Rested.– Healthy.– Emotionally stable– Free of medications that affect your motor skills or

concentration.

Effective Risk Managers• The "I’m Safe" Checklist

– I IllnessDo I have an illness or any symptoms of an illness?

– M Medication • Have I been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs?

– S Stress• Am I under psychological pressure from the job? • Worried about financial matters, health problems or family discord?

– A Alcohol • Have I been drinking within eight hours? • Within 24 hours?

– F Fatigue • Am I tired and not adequately rested?

– E Eating • Am I adequately nourished?

The “A” in I.M.SAFE stands for _____.

Alert

Avoidance

Athletic

Alcohol

25% 25%25%25%1. Alert2. Avoidance3. Athletic4. Alcohol

The “S” in I.M.SAFE stands for ____.

Stre

ss

Stre

ngth So

ber

Since

re

25% 25%25%25%1. Stress2. Strength3. Sober4. Sincere

DRIVING SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLES, VANS AND PICKUPS.


Driving sport-utility vehicles, vans and pickups.

• What you should think about before driving a sport-utility vehicle, van or pickup.

• How to load a vehicle.• Why some trucks are more likely than

passenger vehicles to roll over.

There is no difference between driving a car and a cargo van?

True

False

50%50%1. True2. False


• The difference between a car and a truck is more than academic:– More stringent safety requirements apply to

passenger cars.– Weaker environmental standards, both in terms of

fuel efficiency and emissions, apply to trucks.– Most trucks are big and heavy, factors many

buyers equate with safety.


• The difference between a car and a truck is more than academic:– Many trucks also seat drivers higher off the

ground, which gives them a better view of the road ahead.

– Trucks handle differently from cars, and failing to appreciate those differences can lead to serious consequences.


• The difference between a car and a truck is more than academic:– Large trucks and vans tend to hydroplane in wet

weather conditions.– Large trucks and vans are affected by the wind

much more than passenger cars.

Cargo vans are prone to rollovers?

True

False



• Rollover rates are higher:– Insurance statistics show that other factors hinder

passenger safety in truck crashes.– Although rollovers occur in only 2.6 percent of all

crashes, they often are deadly:• 15.3% of deaths in passenger vehicles.• 24.3% of deaths in pickups.• 36.3% of deaths in SUVs.

– Rollover crashes are often deadly because passengers can be ejected.


• What increases the risk of rollover crashes? – Recent research conducted by the National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that the risk of a rollover crash is greatly increased when 10 or more people ride in a 15-passenger van.

– This increased risk occurs because the passenger weight raises the vehicle’s center of gravity and causes it to shift rearward.

– As a result, the van has less resistance to rollover and handles differently from other commonly driven passenger vehicles, making it more difficult to control in an emergency situation.

– Placing any load on the roof also raises the center of gravity and increases the likelihood of a rollover.


• What situations can cause a rollover? – A rollover crash is a complex event, heavily

influenced by driver and road characteristics as well as the design of the vehicle.

– In studies of single-vehicle crashes, NHTSA has found that more than 90 percent of rollovers occur after a driver has lost control of the vehicle and has run off the road.


• Three major situations can lead to a rollover in a 15-passenger van. – The van goes off a rural road.

• If this occurs, the van is likely to overturn when it strikes a ditch or embankment or when it is tripped by an object or runs onto soft soil.

– The driver is fatigued or driving too fast for conditions. • A tired driver can doze off and lose control. • The driver can also lose control when traveling at a high speed causing the van

to slide sideways off the road. • The grassy or dirt medians that line highways can often cause the van to

overturn when the tires dig into the dirt.

– The driver overcorrects the steering as a panic reaction to an emergency or to a wheel dropping off the pavement. • Especially at freeway speeds, this situation can cause the driver to lose control,

resulting in the van sliding sideways and rolling over.

A cargo van can roll over without skidding?

True

False



• Turning maneuvers that are easy in a sport sedan can be deadly in a truck:– If you take a corner too quickly most vehicles will

skid sideways.– If the tires suddenly bite or hit a pothole or curb

during the slide, the vehicle can trip and roll over.– Some trucks can roll without skidding first:• Swerving to avoid an obstacle.• A full load boosts the likelihood of rolling


• Over the past decade, 80 percent of people killed in rollover crashes in 15-passenger vans were unbelted. – Passengers can dramatically reduce their risk of

being killed or seriously injured in a rollover crash by simply using their seat belts.


• When a 15-passenger van is not full, passengers should sit in seats that are in front of the rear axle.

• More than 15 people should never be allowed to ride in a 15-passenger van.

• Because a 15-passenger van is substantially longer and wider than a car, it: – Requires more space and additional reliance on the side-

view mirrors for changing lanes – Does not respond as well to abrupt steering maneuvers – Requires additional braking time.


• Carry cargo carefully:– Load heavier items lower and further forward in

the cargo area.– Move items ahead of the rear axle.• Placing heavy items behind the rear axle will adversely

affect handling.

– Raising the load off the floor will affect stability in corners.

– Avoid using a roof rack, which can raise the center of gravity.


• All vehicles have a maximum cargo capacity:– Just because an item fits in the truck doesn’t

mean you can carry it safely.– Even a heavy-duty truck can be easily overloaded.– Check the owner’s manual to find out how much

your truck can carry.– One often overlooked aspect of a vehicle’s

carrying capacity is tire pressure:• Inflate tires to the maximum pressure specified by the

vehicle manufacturer.


• Many trucks handle more sluggishly than cars and take longer to stop, even when empty.

• Compared to cars, trucks take roughly a car length longer to stop, and sometimes as long as three car lengths, from 60 MPH.

BACKING A LARGE VANManaging Risk While Driving

When backing a van the driver should _____.

utilize a sp

ot...

ignore

the m

ir...

turn

to th

e le...

avoid dist

ract.

..

25% 25%25%25%1. utilize a spotter2. ignore the mirrors3. turn to the left4. avoid distractions

Backing a Large Van

• Decreased visibility and optical illusions:– The length of the vehicle.– Driver sits higher.– Driver sits closer to the front axle.– Distance between rear axle and rear bumper limits

visibility.– More blind spots.

Backing a Large Van

• Reference points are different:– Use a spotter– Back to the left (driver’s side)– Use outside mirrors.

• Avoid backing up if you miss a ramp/exit.

Something tells me it’s time to take a break…

TOWING A TRAILERManaging Risk While Driving

An accident with a tow vehicle and trailer can have much greater consequences than carelessness with a small car.

True

False


Introduction

• If you tow a trailer, you are subject to new and different challenges on the highway than you may have previously encountered.

Introduction

• Towing a trailer is no small responsibility and should be undertaken with great care and an eye toward safety first.

Introduction

• An accident with a tow vehicle and trailer can have much greater consequences than carelessness with a small car.

The Tow Vehicle

• It might be wise to ask yourself at this point if the tow vehicle is really big enough to have the brakes and suspension it takes to safely tow your trailer.

• There isn't any good way to overcome a problem such as this short of trading up to a vehicle with more capacity.

• If the suspension isn't heavy enough, the brakes probably leave something to be desired.

The Tow Vehicle

• You can get this type of information from manufactures of trailers, trucks, and automobiles but they tend to be optimistic, quoting maximum capacities rather than recommended capacities.

• Remember also that a half-ton pickup may be able to carry 1000 pounds of weight in the bed, but probably cannot support 1000 pounds at the hitch without special modifications to the suspension.

Vehicle and Trailer Brakes

• If the brakes fail going down a hill you have a problem that can cause a disaster.

• You can't have too much brake. – Disk brakes are better than drum brakes. – Four electric brakes on your trailer are better than two. – New pads are better than old pads.

• Don't ride the brakes going down hills as this overheats brakes, causing them to lose effectiveness. – Use the engine and lower gears to control the downhill

speed on long hills.

Vehicle and Trailer Brakes

• Learn how electric brakes work and how to adjust the modern day controllers that actuate them. – Remember that the slightest pressure to the brake

pedal will apply the electric brakes. – Keep your foot off the brake pedal unless you intend

to use them. – A pendulum type control will electronically add more

brake as you stop, but if you have your controller turned all the way up, the slightest pressure on the pedal could lock your trailer brakes.

The Hitch• Have your hitch inspected by

a qualified hitch installation company, and have them determine what the maximum tongue weight can be. – This is usually 10% of the

hitch's rated capacity. – A hitch is rated by not only its

towing capacity but also by the tongue weight.

– If you have a bumper type hitch, don't tow anything your wife can't lift onto the ball.

The Hitch

• Class I– 2,000 pounds GTW

• Class II – 3,500 pounds GTW

• Class III – 5,000 pounds GTW

• Class IV– 7,500 pounds GTW

• Class V– 10,000 pounds GTW

The Trailer Ball and Safety Chains

• The size of the trailer ball also varies.

• There are 1-7/8”, 2”, 2¼”, and 2-5/16” sizes, with the 2” size being the standard.


• The ball should be located so the trailer sits level when connected to the tow vehicle.

• The ball should be lightly greased so the hitch rotates smoothly on it.


• Safety chains should be long enough for tight turns and be crossed (right to left and left to right). – This will help create a

"saddle" if you have a tongue failure and will help maintain control while stopping.


• Don't allow these chains to drag on the pavement, because they can be ground to an unsafe condition in a very short amount of time.

Trailer Lighting and Connections

• All your lights must work to be legal and safe. – The weakest link is the

connector. – They corrode easily and

need constant attention to keep the system working. (Be careful when cleaning connectors not to short them out.)

Trailer Lighting and Connections

• Remember, electric brakes also run through this connector.

• Have an observer confirm your brake lights, blinkers and running lights are working properly each time you hook up.

Tires and Wheel Bearings

• Tires have to be checked frequently with a trailer because a flat can go unnoticed on multiple axle trailers while it is being towed.

• Running with a flat can cause it to catch fire and burn up your rig. – With multiple axles or tandem wheels it is hard sometimes

to see a flat tire as the other tires are supporting the weight of the rig and the flat spot is less noticeable.

• A quick check can be made by "thumping" each tire with a tire iron or rod to make sure they all sound the same.


• The most common causes of tire failure are overloading and under inflation. – Both result in excess flexing of the sidewall which

causes heat buildup and eventual failure. Continuing to run with a flat can cause it to catch fire.


• Wheel lug nut torque is usually much higher than that specified for passenger car wheels. – Check your particular trailer's recommended

specifications.

When loading a tandem axle trailer, the tongue weight should not exceed ___ of the trailer weight.

10%15%

20%25%

25% 25%25%25%1. 10%2. 15%3. 20%4. 25%

Recommended Hitch Weight Percentages

TYPE OF TRAILERPERCENT OF WT. ON TONGUE

Single Axle 10% minimum/15% maximum

Tandem Axle 9% to 15%

Travel Trailer 11% to 12%

5th Wheel 15% to 25%

Placing the Load

• Arrange the load so that these items are protected by their location.

• Don't put big, heavy items in a place where they can't be securely tied down.

• Start with top heavy items if you have them. • Once you have the heavy items located, check

the tongue weight .

Placing the Load

• Don't forget you can also get one side of a trailer a lot heavier than the other without a little planning. – This can cause a very serious problem when

cornering, even causing the trailer to turn over in a sudden turn.

• Top heavy loads can cause problems not only in cornering but also in hard braking.

DeterminingMaximum Gross Trailer Weight

• Your trailer's springs, axles, tires and chassis were all designed to handle a certain maximum load.

• This load consists of the empty trailer itself, plus the added weight of cargo that you add. – This is called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or

GVWR.


• Overloading a trailer beyond its rated capacity, even though it may be well balanced and seem to handle fine, is a very dangerous practice. – Eventually something is bound to fail with

dramatic and unpleasant results.


• Overloading places excess strain not only on your tow vehicle causing possible failures at the hitch or in your capacity to safely bring it to a stop in an emergency, it also overloads the trailer's frame, axles, bearings and tires.

Weighing the Trailer

• Though it is not necessary to weigh your trailer every time you load it, it is a good idea in the beginning to have a good cross-check to your estimates.

Weighing the Trailer

• Once you have a feel for it, a good estimate is usually close enough unless you are loading to near your trailer's maximum limits.

• A 1000-pound error in total weight is only a 150 pound (15%) error in tongue weight.

Wind can create havoc when towing a trailer, causing ______or sudden pulling to one side.

vibrations

bouncing

jerking

oscilla

tions

25% 25%25%25%1. vibrations2. bouncing3. jerking4. oscillations

Driving in Windy Conditions

• Wind can create havoc when towing a trailer, causing oscillations or sudden pulling to one side. – Thirty mile an hour crosswinds can blow you off

the road if there is a sudden gust.


• The only way to help lower the risk traveling in these conditions is to slow down.

• The safest way is not to drive in extremely windy conditions. – That's what the professional haulers do, and so

should you. – Park it until it's safe to continue.


• Large vehicles develop a high pressure wave of air in front of them and low pressure area to their rear as they go down the highway. – This is variable and is dependent on the shape of

the truck and the existing wind conditions.


• The effect is such that as the truck comes up to pass on your left, first your trailer and then your tow vehicle will be pushed to your right by the truck's "bow wave".

• As the truck passes, the low pressure zone will then pull you back to the left.

Handling Trailer Sway

• If swaying occurs, steer as little as possible while you slow down.

• Because of your natural lag in reaction time, quick steering movements will actually make things worse and cause the oscillation to increase.

Handling Trailer Sway

• Application of the trailer brake usually tends to help keep the vehicles aligned, while heavy braking with the tow vehicle may reduce trailer stability.

• Until the problem is identified and solved, travel at reduced speeds.

Your Responsibilities as a Driver

• You wouldn't think of letting your children drive on the road without the proper training, and you shouldn't take a fully loaded trailer that could be improperly loaded onto a busy road to learn with. – It is a skill that has to be developed and a

responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly.


• If you're towing a travel trailer for the first time, you have to start learning with a full load.


• Drive only when traffic is light and don't drive where traffic conditions might force you into driving faster than you are comfortable with.

• Get a friend with this type of experience to help you learn.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?Managing Risk While Driving

Skills Tests

• Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: – You will be tested to see if you know whether your

vehicle and trailer is safe to drive. – You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of

your vehicle and trailer and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.

Skills Tests

• Basic Vehicle Control: – You will be tested on your skill to control the

vehicle and trailer. – You will be asked to move your vehicle and trailer

forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area.

– These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar.

– The instructor will tell you how each control test is to be done.

Skills Tests

• On-road Test: – You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your

vehicle and trailer in a variety of traffic situations. – The situations may include left and right turns,

intersections, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, and single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways.

– The instructor will tell you where to drive.

Skills Tests

• Key Points: – Making right hand turns without hitting the curb– Watching street signs– Using proper signals– Keeping hands on steering wheel– Checking blind spots/using mirrors– Correctly coming to a stop and not sending the

instructor out the front window.

Let’s Go Driving!

cargo vans and trailer towing instructors: john lindstrom jim rogers

Documents

fewsomemanymostmanaging

level of risk

road narrows

driving accidents

oncoming car

car accident

means of escape

escape path