While running a food truck business is very different from operating a towing service business, it is important to first learn the basics of trailer towing. Doing so will ensure that your food truck business will not be exposed to the common dangers associated with trailer towing, which in one way or another can hamper the smooth operations of a well-running food truck enterprise.
The basics include understanding vehicle weight and tire ratings, trailer brakes, weighing and weight distribution to hitches.
Proper Weight Loading on Food Truck Trailer
When preparing your towing vehicle, be it a truck, car, van, or SUV, always bear in mind that the amount of load you will put in your trailer will be pulling your vehicle. It’s important therefore to first check your tow vehicle’s max towing capacity or max trailer rating. The latter being the maximum amount of trailer weight that your tow vehicle can pull. Just like the maximum weight that a tow truck can pull, the rating varies because it is based on several factors, such as the truck’s gear ratio, tires, weight, and engine power.
Ratings and limits, particularly capacity cargo weight limits, are established to inform operators how much your truck can safely tow. Going past the tow truck’s limits can endanger both you and others near you.
Information about max towing rating and trailer towing capacity is usually found in the owner’s manual, or in the “towing guides” that manufacturers provide in their website.
Follow the Same Safety Rules Observed by Professional Tow Truck Drivers
As a tow truck operator, the job comes with risks and dangers especially when traversing through road traffic. The list below includes related safety precautions and tips that a food truck driver should follow in order to steer clear of any harm or hazards when bringing one’s food truck equipment to different locations.
Make Certain Both Driver and Tow Vehicle are Well Prepared
Make sure both the driver and the towing vehicle are prepared before hitting the road. Preparedness means all basic truck features such as fluid levels, tire pressure, winches, connectors and cables have been checked. One thing that can help so that you won’t miss something is to create a checklist to make sure you have everything you need for any situation.
Drive Carefully While on the Road
Defensive driving is one approach to driving carefully on any kind of road or weather condition. Always follow the speed limit and to constantly keep a distance between you and other cars on the road to lower, if not totally eliminate possibilities of getting involved in an accident. While you may be driving carefully, you cannot always tell for sure if other drivers are doing the same thing.
Increase Your Vehicle’s Visibility
While on the road and at night, or during poor weather conditions, make certain that everyone near your vehicle and trailer, is aware of yout presence by using reflectors not only on the towing truck but also on the trailer. When you need to alight from the tow vehicle while situated along a highway, wear a bright-colored gear. or an approved fluorescent vest to make you visible.
California tow truck operators and emergency personnel providing services for towing san jose vehicles in federal roads, are also required to use personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment includes closed-toe shoes, safety glasses, work gloves, and long pants.
As food truck operators, you might also want to have these extra safety protective equipment on hand in case you are confronted with dangerous situations involving broken glass, chemicals and similar dangerous materials.