Prior to taking the trailer on the road, complete a thorough  inspection. Ensure: When using a trailer, there are other precautions to note. First,  avoid towing with too much or too little tongue weight as  either causes the trailer to fishtail at certain speeds, possibly  rendering it uncontrollable. Towing a long glider trailer  requires good driving skills and a good sense of road and  weather conditions. Take care in heavy crosswinds because  a long trailer can be affected by windy conditions. Also, take  care when unloading the glider to avoid damage. Practice and  planning are key to a successful operation. Anytime the glider is left unattended, it should be tied  down with the canopy closed and latched. When selecting  a tiedown location, choose a spot that faces into the wind  if possible. Permanent tiedowns are often equipped with  straps, ropes, or chains for the wings and tail. Having the  proper tie down kit is recommended for a cross-country  trip. Check tiedown conditions before using to ensure the  safety of the glider. When tying down on airports shared  by powered aircraft, propeller wash can cause damage to  an improperly secured glider. If strong winds are expected, tie the spoilers open with seat  belts, or place a padded stand under the tail to reduce the  angle of attack of the wings. This reduces the pull of the glider  against the tiedowns. When securing the glider outside for  an extended period of time, install gust locks on the control  surfaces to prevent them from banging against their stops  in the wind. Cover the pitot tube and the total energy probe  to prevent spiders, wasps, and other insects or debris from  getting inside.  [Figure 6-4] Moving a glider on the ground requires special handling  procedures, especially during high winds. Normally, gliders  are pushed or pulled by hand or towed with a vehicle. When  moving a glider, ensure that all appropriate personnel have  been briefed on procedures and signals. When transporting a glider or parking the glider for long  periods of time, especially overnight the water ballast should  be emptied due to the danger of freezing. This is usually done  while in flight before landing. When de-rigging, the water  ballast tanks will empty themselves through the wing root  connecting pipes. If the glider has to be towed for a long way  it is best to empty the water tanks. If that is not an option,  ensure that antifreeze is added to prevent freezing when  traveling in cold temperatures.  Always use a cover to protect the glider canopy. It can be  damaged by blowing dust and sand or scratched by apparel,  such as watches or belt buckles. A cover protects the canopy  from damage while shielding the interior of the cockpit from  ultraviolet (UV) rays.  [Figure 6-5] Figure 6-4.  Protecting the pitot tube and total energy probe. Figure 6-5.  Protecting the canopy. Ground Handling Water Ballast Tiedown and Securing 6-4 •  Proper tow vehicle mirror adjustment. •  Adequate wheel bearing lubrication, and • Proper operation of vehicle and trailer brakes, • Appropriate rating of vehicle attachment for the weight  of the trailer,  • Free movement and lubrication of hitch, • Operation of all lights, • Trailer tires are rated for Special Trailer (ST) duty,  which are rated only to 65 miles per hour (mph)  towing speed. The maximum speed of 65 mph can  be exceeded safely if the air pressure is increased by  10 psi for every 10 mph over 65 that it is pulled and  the maximum load is decreased 10 percent for every  10 mph over 65 mph of towing speed, • Proper inflation of and adequate tread on trailer tires, 