A Basic Checklist for Safe Towing This Spring in Anchorage

Spring Towing in Alaska Means a Fresh Start

In Anchorage, spring isn’t just about longer days — it’s about freedom. For RVers, boaters, and weekend warriors, that means one thing: time to tow.

But Alaska’s tough conditions demand preparation. Between icy roads, thawing gravel, and heavy hauls, it’s essential that your truck and trailer are mechanically ready. That’s why safe towing starts long before you hit the highway.

Here’s your comprehensive spring towing checklist — written specifically for Alaskan drivers — and powered by the service team at Frontier Auto & RV Center in Anchorage.

1. Inspect Your Truck’s Brakes

Your brakes are the single most important safety system on your tow vehicle. After months of winter wear, they deserve a full inspection before you put them under a towing load.

What to check:

Brake pad thickness: If your pads are worn thin, they won’t stop a loaded trailer safely.
Rotor condition: Look for deep grooves, warping, or rust buildup. Even light rust from winter moisture can reduce performance.
Pedal feel: A soft or spongy pedal may signal air in the lines or low fluid.
Brake fluid: Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, especially in cold climates. If it looks dark or dirty, flush it.

Anchorage drivers should remember — brakes can wear faster when towing in mountainous or rough terrain. Have our certified techs at Frontier Auto & RV Center perform a brake inspection and replace any worn components before your first trip.

2. Schedule a Transmission Flush if It’s Due

Towing adds serious heat and pressure to your truck’s transmission. Old, contaminated fluid can thicken or break down, leading to slipping, poor shifting, or even total transmission failure.

Why spring is the right time:

Cold winters cause moisture buildup inside your transmission case, increasing corrosion risk.
Towing in spring = uphill climbs, long hauls, and added stress on transmission cooling systems.
Factory intervals recommend flushing every 30,000–60,000 miles for towing applications — sooner if you drive in extreme temps or heavy loads.

A transmission flush removes old fluid, grime, and contaminants, replacing it with fresh fluid to protect your drivetrain. Our techs at Frontier Auto & RV Center use OEM-compatible fluids and can inspect your transmission for leaks, overheating signs, or torque converter issues.

3. Change the Oil — Especially if You Tow Heavy

Towing stresses your engine — and after a cold winter of stop-start driving or idling, your oil may have lost its protective properties.

Key reasons to prioritize a spring oil change:

Condensation from cold starts dilutes your oil
Short trips in winter never let your oil get hot enough to burn off moisture
Towing in spring adds heavy load and sustained RPMs, which demand clean, high-quality oil

Choose an oil designed for high-load use, such as synthetic blends, and always match the viscosity to your vehicle’s towing guidelines. We’ll also inspect your oil filter, gaskets, and oil pan for signs of leaks common after winter freeze-thaw cycles.

At Frontier Auto & RV Center, we offer complete oil change packages for both gas and diesel trucks — ideal for any spring tow prep.

4. Check Trailer Brakes and Wiring

If your trailer has its own braking system (and it should), it’s critical to ensure it’s fully functional before spring hauling. Trailer brakes often sit unused during the winter and can corrode, seize, or fail.

What to look for:

Brake pads/shoes: Are they cracked, worn, or contaminated with grease?
Electric brake controller: Make sure your in-cab unit activates and modulates properly.
Breakaway system: Test the pin and battery — a dead backup system could mean zero brakes in an emergency.
Wiring and grounds: Salt and ice can corrode electrical connections and ground points. Clean and test each one.

We offer full-service trailer brake inspections, adjustments, and replacements in-house. If you hear noise or feel pull when braking, stop by our Anchorage shop before heading out.

5. Test All Lights and Signals

Your trailer lights are your voice on the road. If other drivers can’t see your signals, you’re invisible — and that’s dangerous.

Spring checklist:

Brake lights and turn signals: These are legally required and must work in sync with your tow vehicle.
Running lights and side markers: Critical for visibility in Alaska’s fog, dusk, and long daylight shifts.
Trailer plug: Corrosion on the 7-way connector is common after a long winter. Clean it with contact cleaner and dielectric grease.
Wiring harness: Inspect for frays, cracks, or rodent damage — especially if your trailer was stored outside.

Need help diagnosing trailer lighting issues? Frontier’s techs are experts in RV and trailer electrical systems — and we stock harnesses, plugs, and adapters on-site.

6. Check Tires — On Both Truck and Trailer

Tires lose pressure in winter and wear down over time — even when parked. If you’re hauling thousands of pounds at highway speeds, every inch of tread matters.

Safe Towing Tire Tips:

Check tire pressure: Inflate to the PSI listed on the tire sidewall or door sticker — not what “feels right.”
Inspect sidewalls: Look for cracking, bulges, dry rot, or flat spots from sitting.
Measure tread depth: Use a gauge or the penny test. 6/32″ is the minimum for safe towing.
Check valve stems: Cold temps cause shrinkage and cracks that lead to slow leaks.
Don’t forget the spare!

We carry RV and truck tires built for Alaskan roads — including all-terrain and load-rated options ready for spring towing.

7. Lubricate Hitch, Coupler & Safety Chains

Rust and freezing temps take a toll on your towing hardware. Spring is the time to clean, inspect, and lubricate your hitching system.

Checklist:

Grease the ball and coupler latch: This reduces wear and makes hitching/unhitching easier.
Inspect safety chains: Replace any with visible rust, wear, or kinks.
Check for fit: Does your coupler latch tightly? If it’s loose, it’s unsafe.
Secure your pins: Hitch pins, sway bar bolts, and cotter pins should be in place and tight.

We recommend bringing your full rig by for a free hitch safety inspection — it only takes a few minutes at Frontier Auto & RV Center, and it could prevent a major roadside failure.

8. Top Off Fluids & Inspect the Cooling System

Towing in spring — especially uphill or on muddy roads — pushes your truck’s engine harder than normal. A healthy cooling system is vital to prevent overheating and breakdowns.

Key fluids to check:

Coolant: Top off with the correct mixture for your vehicle (usually 50/50 antifreeze + water).
Transmission fluid: Essential for towing power — check the level and color.
Brake fluid: Should be clear or light yellow. Cloudy or dark means it’s time to flush.
Power steering fluid: Especially important on winding roads with a heavy trailer.
Washer fluid: Keep it topped off — Alaska’s spring roads are muddy!

If you see coolant leaks or fluctuating temp readings, come in for a full spring service — overheating is a major risk when towing.

9. Walk Around and Torque Lug Nuts

Before your first tow of the season, take 10 minutes to walk around your truck and trailer. What you spot now might save you hours later.

Walk-Around Tips:

Visual check: Look for damage to fenders, axles, frame, or welds
Lug nut torque: Use a torque wrench to tighten each wheel to manufacturer specs
License plate: Is it clean, current, and securely mounted?
Suspension and springs: Look for sagging, rust, or worn bushings

This is the last step most people skip — and it’s often the one that catches an unsafe issue.

10. Know Your Load Ratings — and Stay Within Them

Overloading is one of the top causes of towing accidents. Even seasoned drivers sometimes exceed their truck or trailer’s capacity without realizing it.

How to stay within your limits:

Check GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) for both your truck and trailer
Weigh your loaded trailer (including gear, water, fuel, etc.)
Keep your tongue weight between 10–15% of the total trailer weight
Balance your load evenly from side to side and front to back

At Frontier Auto & RV Center, we can help calculate your weights and ensure your hitch setup is rated correctly for your rig.

Ready to Tow This Spring? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

Whether you’re heading to Seward for the weekend or hauling across state lines, safe towing starts with smart maintenance. At Frontier Auto & RV Center in Anchorage, we help truck and RV owners gear up every spring with services tailored to Alaskan conditions.

From brakes and transmission flushes to oil changes, trailer brakes, and towing hardware — we do it all. Bring your truck, bring your trailer, and drive away ready to tow with confidence.