Top Tips For Trailer Safety: What Accessories Are Must-Haves

Towing anything, from horse trailers to utility trailers, requires precise attention to detail. Trailer safety protects your vehicle, keeps you and your passengers safe and helps you comply with federal laws that require the use of safety accessories.

Essential Trailer Safety Accessories for Every Trip

Here are our top accessories you need for trailer safety:

For Visibility and Signaling

The right lighting equipment helps you see traffic around you and remain visible to other drivers. Visibility and signaling products can help to reduce collisions and improve your reaction time. Some of these must-have lighting accessories include:

• LED lights: Modern LED lights are brighter than traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs can provide a more intense and energy-efficient light that will last longer. Clearance lights can accurately indicate your trailer’s profile, even in poor weather.
• Reflective tape: Reflective tape is an easy and effective way to boost nighttime visibility. When placed on the side or at the back of your trailer, it will reflect light from other vehicles, allowing them to judge your trailer’s size correctly. 

For Secure Connections

From hitting a curve hard to accidentally driving into a pothole, impact can disconnect your trailer from the towing vehicle if it is not properly connected. The right connection accessories will keep your trailer from becoming a loose road hazard:

• Safety chains: These chains are your backup plan should the hitch or coupler fail. When connecting your chains, ensure you connect the left chain on the trailer to the right side of the tow vehicle and the right chain to the left side. This technique will allow you to create an X cradle that catches the trailer’s tongue if it disconnects.
• Breakaway kit: Breakaway kits typically include a battery, a switch and a pin or cable, and they serve as your tertiary trailer connection safety step. This kit will bring the trailer to a stop should it break away from the towing vehicle.

For Securing Cargo

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations regarding cargo securing, requiring that your cargo remain secure during travel and transport. You can achieve compliance with the following cargo control accessories:

• Ratchet straps and tie downs: These cargo security devices can pin down large and heavy items like furniture and equipment. Choose ratchet straps and tie downs with a load rating that exceeds the weight of the items you need to secure.
• Cargo nets and tarps: Nets and tarps can help you contain your load, especially small, loose items, keeping them from shifting at higher speeds. 

For Safe Parking

With the right trailer safety accessories, you can keep your trailer safe even when it is parked:

• Wheel chocks: These must-have accessories for trailer safety keep the trailer from rolling away when parked on an incline. The wheel chocks will physically block the trailer from moving.
• Coupler lock: A great trailer safety tip is to invest in this anti-theft device, especially if you leave your trailer unattended. The coupler lock makes it difficult for someone to try and hitch your trailer to another vehicle.

Find Your DOT-Approved Gear Today

At Husky Trailer Parts Co., we have a vast collection of safety equipment for your trailer. Search our website to find quality trailer security accessories.