Safety Guidelines
Safety Guidelines
Know Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum weight of the trailer, fully loaded. Never exceed this limit.
- Tow Rating: Your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, found in your owner’s manual. The trailer’s loaded weight must not exceed this number.
- GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): The total weight of your vehicle plus the trailer fully loaded. Do not exceed this.
- Tongue Weight: The downward force the trailer exerts on your hitch. Should be 10–15% of total trailer weight.
- Payload Capacity: Your vehicle’s maximum cargo + passenger capacity. Don’t forget this affects how much trailer weight you can safely tow.
Use our Tow Compatibility Checker to verify your vehicle is rated for the trailer you want to rent.
Hitch Classes
| Class | Max GVWR | Ball Size | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | 2,000 lbs | 1-7/8″ | Small utility trailers |
| Class II | 3,500 lbs | 2″ | Medium utility, small boat trailers |
| Class III | 6,000 lbs | 2″ or 2-5/16″ | Cargo, flatbed, car haulers |
| Class IV | 10,000 lbs | 2-5/16″ | Heavy equipment, large trailers |
| Class V | 20,000 lbs | 2-5/16″ or 3″ | Heavy commercial trailers |
Brake Controllers
Any trailer with GVWR over 3,000 lbs is required by Montana law (and most other states) to have functional electric trailer brakes and a compatible brake controller in the tow vehicle. Do not tow a trailer that requires brakes without a properly installed brake controller.
Trailers on HaulMyTrailer that require a brake controller are clearly marked. The renter is responsible for confirming their vehicle has one installed before booking.
CDL Requirements
Certain equipment trailers require a Commercial Driver’s License Class A (CDL-A) due to combined vehicle weight exceeding 26,001 lbs. These trailers are filtered to only display to verified CDL-A holders. Attempting to tow a CDL-required trailer without the appropriate license is illegal and dangerous.
Pre-Tow Checklist
- ✅ Hitch ball is correct size for trailer coupler and properly torqued
- ✅ Coupler is fully locked and safety pin is inserted
- ✅ Safety chains are crossed under the coupler and connected
- ✅ Trailer lights are working (brake, turn, running)
- ✅ Trailer tires are properly inflated
- ✅ Load is secured and distributed correctly (front-heavy preferred)
- ✅ Rearview mirrors are adjusted for trailer width
- ✅ Brake controller is connected and tested (if required)
- ✅ Breakaway cable is attached to tow vehicle
On the Road
- Reduce speed — most states have lower speed limits for vehicles towing trailers
- Increase following distance — stopping distances are significantly longer
- Make wide turns — trailers track inside your vehicle’s turning radius
- Brake earlier — trailers add significant stopping weight
- Check your mirrors frequently for trailer sway
- If trailer sway occurs: release the accelerator slowly, do NOT brake suddenly
- Pull over to re-secure loads that have shifted
Report Safety Concerns
If you discover a safety issue with a rented trailer (faulty lights, damaged chains, worn tires), document it with photos and contact us immediately at ‘ . HMT_PHONE . ‘ before towing. Never tow an unsafe trailer.
