Before we left to drive this morning we checked over the
truck and Miss Marshmallow. First Kaylyn releases the stabilizing jacks at the
back of the trailer. If we did not use the jacks, the trailer would bounce
around as we walked in it.
We disconnect the trailer from the campground’s electricity.
Larger campers also hook up water and sewer lines – we don’t have those.
We have to carefully hitch the trailer so there is no chance
of her coming disconnected from the truck. There are safety chains we use, in
case there should be a catastrophe with the hitch itself. The safety chains
will drag the trailer behind the truck. It damages the trailer to be dragged by
safety chains, but that is much better than the trailer wheeling away on its
own and hurting another driver. We hook up the lights so the trailer lights go
on when the truck lights go on, and check to make sure they are working.
Once
we are done we walk around the truck and trailer and make sure everything is in
order. We check to make sure the windows are all shut and the door is locked
(which we have to do with a very inconvenient bungee cord because the body of
Miss Marshmallow is old and contorted.) Next time you are near a trailer in a
parking lot, take a minute to see how it is connected.
Another thing we do is check the tire pressure in the truck
and trailer tires. Incorrect tire pressure can cause loss of control of a
vehicle. On our trip four years ago, our trailer tires were gradually going
flat, which we discovered because we are careful to check tire pressure often.
Your job today is to get a tire pressure gauge and learn how
to check tire pressure on your cars. The owner’s manual for your car will tell
you the tire pressure you should have, or it might be written inside the
driver’s door. This is a good habit to get into – checking tire pressure often.
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