Following are a few tips on braking and pulling your trailer.  Now that the new year is upon us, it is a good time to knock the rust off and be ready for 2008.

When you attach a trailer to your tow vehicle, you are adding anywhere from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds to what your vehicle’s brakes must stop. In fact, many states require separate braking systems on trailers with a loaded weight of more than 1,500 pounds. Some experts suggest every trailer should have a functional, separate brake system.

Electronically controlled trailer brakes usually can be applied automatically or manually by the driver. These brakes usually have a control mechanism near the driver of the tow vehicle. Surge brakes are independent hydraulic brakes activated by a master cylinder at the junction of the hitch and trailer tongue.

If you have a manual brake controller, activate the trailer brakes first, when possible.

Beginners should take their vehicle and trailer out to a quiet stretch of road or a deserted parking lot and practice braking. You’ll need more room to stop safely because of the additional weight of the trailer and its load.

Also, when going down hills, try to use the engine and the gears to slow the vehicle. Try to avoid using the brakes to lessen wear and tear.

To correct trailer side sway, momentarily touch the trailer brakes, without using the two vehicle brakes.