A 3-minute lesson from the Nevada course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
The more trailers you pull, the more a quick steering move is magnified at the back. Smooth steering, early braking and knowing how to stop a trailer skid keep your rig upright and in line.
Know the rule
Combinations need more skill than single vehicles. When towing a combination, the heaviest vehicle must always be first behind the towing vehicle, with the lighter one at the rear.
What causes the "crack-the-whip" effect: a quick lane change is amplified toward the rear trailer, which can overturn even when the towing vehicle doesn't.
Empty large combinations take longer to stop than fully loaded ones: stiff springs and strong brakes give poor traction, so wheels lock easily and the trailer can swing out or jackknife.
To stop a trailer skid, release the brakes to regain traction. Don't use the trailer hand brake to straighten out — the trailer brakes caused the skid. Once the wheels grip, the trailer follows and straightens out.
Braking hard on a downgrade, you see your trailer sliding sideways in the mirror. Release the brakes instead of pressing harder, and don't touch the trailer hand brake — let the tires grip so the trailer lines up behind you again.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
When towing a combination of vehicles, the heaviest vehicle should be positioned:
In the last position, farthest back
In the middle of the combination
It does not matter
First behind the towing vehicle
Answer: First behind the towing vehicle
The heaviest vehicle must always be in the first position behind the towing vehicle.
