08/12/2026
🌧️ Trailer Safety Tips: Bad Weather & Flooding
* Slow down. Wet roads dramatically increase stopping distance, especially when towing a loaded trailer.
* Leave extra following distance. Give yourself plenty of room to brake or maneuver.
* Watch for hydroplaning. Trailer tires can lose traction just like vehicle tires, and a trailer can begin to sway when traction is lost.
* Avoid standing water whenever possible. You may not be able to see potholes, washed-out pavement, debris, or a damaged road underneath.
* Never drive through moving floodwater. Even shallow-looking water can move a vehicle or trailer, and you can’t know how deep it is.
* Turn around—don’t drown. If water is covering the roadway, find another route.
* Be especially cautious on bridges and low-water crossings. Flooding can weaken or wash out the road beneath the surface.
* Check your trailer lights. Rain and spray make visibility worse, so working brake lights, turn signals, and marker lights are critical.
* Check your tires before leaving. Make sure trailer tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread. Don’t forget the tow vehicle’s tires.
* Secure your load. Wind, rain, and sudden braking can shift cargo. Make sure everything is properly tied down and covered when appropriate.
* Watch for trailer sway. If the trailer starts swaying, don’t slam on the brakes or jerk the steering wheel. Ease off the accelerator and allow the combination to slow down while keeping the steering steady.
* Use your headlights. Make your vehicle and trailer easier for other drivers to see.
* Be alert for debris. Storms can put tree limbs, branches, mud, rocks, and other debris in the roadway.
* Know when to park it. If conditions become dangerous, there’s nothing wrong with pulling over somewhere safe and waiting out the worst of the storm.
🚨 Remember: Your trailer may be able to handle the load—but that doesn’t mean the road can handle the water. When in doubt, don’t drive through it.
