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South Carolina driving lesson · Special Driving Situations

Driving with a trailer

A 3-minute lesson from the South Carolina course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Special Driving Situations
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
136, 137, 138

Towing means you're driving a vehicle-trailer combination, not just a car. You can't change the vehicle to fit your habits, so change your driving to fit the vehicle: slower, with more space.

55 mph

Maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations

Handbook p. 136 ↗

Know the rule

Never exceed the posted speed limit. Slow down more if conditions worsen, and slow down before starting down a grade.

Handbook p. 136 ↗

Know the rule

A vehicle-trailer combination needs more distance to stop. Leave extra space ahead, and even more in rain, snow or fog.

Handbook p. 136 ↗

Know the rule

Passing takes more time and distance. Have plenty of clear road ahead, and never pass on hills or curves.

Handbook p. 137 ↗

Know the rule

The trailer doesn't follow directly behind your car and may need extra room to turn.

Handbook p. 137 ↗

Know the rule

Backing a trailer: go slowly with your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move your hand left to move the trailer left, and right to move it right.

Handbook p. 137 ↗

Know the rule

If the trailer starts to jackknife, stop, pull ahead to straighten out, then start again.

Handbook p. 137 ↗

"Pro" tips:

  • Unsure about hooking up, loading or driving? Get advice from a trailer professional
  • Before driving and at every fuel stop, recheck hitch, coupler, chains, lights and tire pressures
  • Hear an unusual noise? Stop at a safe place off the road to check
  • Don't drive long distances straight through; plan rest stops and drive rested in daylight
Handbook p. 137 ↗

Safe trailering checklist:

  • Load heavier in front; load secure
  • Hitch tight, chains attached
  • Lights working, tire pressures OK
  • Reduce speed and think ahead
  • Stop often for rest, inspect often
  • Wear your seat belt
Handbook p. 138 ↗

Put it into practice

You need to back your boat trailer to the left into a driveway. With your hand at the bottom of the wheel, move it left and back up slowly. If the trailer starts to jackknife, stop, pull forward to straighten, and try 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.

What is the maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations?
  1. 75 mph
  2. 35 mph
  3. There is no recommended maximum
  4. 55 mph

Answer: 55 mph

The maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations is 55 mph.

Handbook p. 136 ↗
When towing a trailer, you should never pass:
  1. On hills or curves
  2. On a straight interstate
  3. On a four-lane divided road
  4. During daylight hours

Answer: On hills or curves

Have plenty of clear highway ahead and never pass on hills or curves when towing a trailer.

Handbook p. 136 ↗
When backing up a trailer, moving your hand to the left at the bottom of the wheel will:
  1. Move the trailer to the right
  2. Have no effect on trailer direction
  3. Move the trailer to the left
  4. Straighten the trailer immediately

Answer: Move the trailer to the left

Keep your hand at the bottom of the wheel; to move the trailer left, move your hand to the left.

Handbook p. 137 ↗
If a trailer starts to jackknife, you should:
  1. Accelerate to straighten it
  2. Turn the wheel sharply into the jackknife
  3. Apply the trailer brakes only
  4. Stop and pull ahead to straighten out

Answer: Stop and pull ahead to straighten out

If the trailer starts to jackknife, stop and pull ahead to straighten out, then start again.

Handbook p. 137 ↗
You should never exceed the posted speed limit when towing a trailer.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Never exceed the posted speed limit when towing; the recommended maximum is 55 mph.

Handbook p. 136 ↗
A vehicle-trailer combination requires more distance to stop than a vehicle alone.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

A vehicle-trailer combination requires more distance to stop, so allow extra space ahead of you.

Handbook p. 136 ↗
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