If you’re a transport, construction, or road safety facility, you should know the correct and safe method to transport an arrow board trailer from your site to the road. Failing to do so may cause loss of control of the trailer on the road, resulting in a vehicle crash and significant hazards to road users.

In this guide, we have explained the exact step-by-step process on how to transport and operate arrow board trailers safely. By the end, you’ll also learn about a few best transportation practices, as well as advanced suspension technologies for safe equipment transport. 

Arrow Board: What Does This Flashing Arrow Panel Mean?

A flashing arrow board panel is a smart electronic and traffic control device. When placed along a road, this panel means there’s a temporary change in road conditions. The change could be in the form of construction, maintenance work, emergency traffic setups, or lane closures. 

When the flashing arrow panels lit up, they showed different arrow patterns, showing what action drivers should take. For instance, if the board is flashing an arrow to the right, it means drivers should move through the right lane. The blinking arrow sign means there’s a lane closure ahead.

How to Safely Transport Arrow Boards Trailers?

Transporting an LED arrow board might seem like a straightforward job, but that’s not the case. These mobile signs are equipped with several hazardous equipment like a battery, a big panel, a wide trailer, etc, which emphasize the proper care and compliance during transportation.

While we explain the process of transporting flashing arrow boards in the next section, it’s important to know the maximum speed limits during towing (as this varies between regions). Generally, on motorways and expressways, trailers weighing less than 3500 kg should drive up to 90 km/h. While towing heavier trailers, it should drive up to 80 km/h. 

Also, as a manufacturer, we stand against careless transportation practices and encourage you to train and educate your operators to follow DOT regulations and the safety protocols.

Pre-Transport Checklist

Before towing an arrow board traffic control trailer, below we’ve listed a few essential things that you should prepare, acquire and check:

Wear a High-Visibility Safety Jacket: So that you are highly visible and seen by near traffic or construction zones, while hooking up the trailer.

Carry Required Paperwork: Like keeping the trailer’s registration, insurance papers, user manual, and any relevant transport documentation.

Obtain Permits (If Required): Check if your state or region requires towing permits. If so, then you must have it in a vehicle.

Verify Weight and Load Capacity: The towing vehicle’s load capacity must be enough to handle the trailer’s weight.

Inspect the Towing Vehicle: Importantly, verify tire condition and pressure, brake lights, mirrors, and the towing hitch are all in working order.

Check Trailer Hitch Compatibility: Check and ensure that the hitch ball size matches the coupler on the trailer. Exceeding the hitch ball size may not lock the trailer in its place.

Step-by-Step Process to Transport the Arrow Board Truck

Important: The process below is explained for transporting “Arrow Board Trailers”. The steps may vary for other types of board trailers.

The flashing arrow boards and panels are often lightweight, so one operator can easily handle the entire towing process. After your pre-transport checklist is done, and you have worn a high-vis jacket, let’s start the arrow board transportation process. 

• Secure the Trailer to the Towing Vehicle’s Hitch

The first step to transport arrow boards for trucks is to install the arrow board trailer at the rear of the towing vehicle. Afterward, securely align the trailer’s coupler with the vehicle’s hitch ball. Once in position:

• Lower the coupler directly onto the hitch ball.
• Next, lock the coupler latch firmly.
• Then, insert a hitch pin and pass it through the lock. After this, the trailers will be secured with the towing vehicle.

Important: Make sure the hitch ball size matches the coupler. Inappropriate ball size can cause trailer detachment on the road, posing a severe risk to road users.

• Connect the Safety Chains

Next up, hold the safety chains and cross them under the trailer tongue. Make sure to firmly hook chains to the vehicle’s hitch loops. Ensure there’s enough slack for turns. Not very less and not too much that the chains drag.

Note: Never skip the chains, as they’re required by law in most U.S. states.

• Plug in the Warning or Brake Lights to the Trailer’s Wiring Harness

After hooking the safety chains, connect the trailer’s warning or brake light plug to your vehicle’s electrical outlet. We also suggest you test the brake lights, turn signals, and tail lights at the moment to confirm they’re working. If the arrow board has auxiliary warning lights, check those too.

Note: Skipping a trailer warning light can result in traffic violations and increase the risk of accidents.

• Crank Up All Trailer Jacks

Now, locate and pull the jack handles to lift the trailer jacks fully off the ground. Repeat the same process and retract all four trailer jacks. This prevents damage to the jacks while driving.

• Secure the Battery Box Lid or Compartment

If the arrow signage board includes a solar-powered battery system or otherwise the setup includes a battery, make sure the battery compartment lid is fully closed and latched. Also, double-check that all the cables or solar connectors are tucked away.

Reminder: Loose battery lids or wiring can lead to electrical shorts or damage during transport.

• Lower the Arrow Board into Transport Position

Perhaps, different flashing arrow sign board have different rotating mechanisms. So, lowering the board panel ensures that the panel arrow & board safely travel, especially through uneven roads. 

To lower the arrow board panel, tilt the arrow board panel to the down position using its manual winch, panel lift crank, or a hydraulic actuator (depending on the arrow board panel model).

• Insert Safety Pins to Lock the Arrow Board in Place

After you’ve lowered the arrow board panel, now slide in both sides locking safety pins inside the lock. Afterward, there will be no chance of a panel shifting or lifting. Make sure each pin is fully inserted and secure.

Finally, you’re ready to go and transport the arrow board sign trailer to the road location. Make sure you once again do a quick final walk-around and then proceed to drive.

Set Up Arrow Boards for Traffic Control

Once you’ve arrived at the job site, it’s time to untow the trailer and activate (Setup) the arrow board to safely manage traffic flow. Make sure you have worn a high-visibility jacket so you’re seen on the road and stay safe while setting up.

To set up the arrow board, follow the steps:

• Set Up Arrow Boards for Traffic Control

Obviously, the first step is to park the trailer at the designated location based on your traffic control plan. Make sure to park the national arrow board along the road, where it’s clearly visible to approaching traffic. 

We also suggest you park it far enough from the working area. This helps drivers see the arrow signals from far and provides proper reaction and action time to them.

Reminder: Always follow your state or DOT/MUTCD regulations for arrow board placement distance.

• Untow the Trailer from the Towing Vehicle

Now, loosen the hitch lock through the manual switch and carefully pull up to disconnect the trailer coupler from the hitch ball. Next up, also remove the trailer’s safety chains from the towing vehicle. Then, gently unplug the electrical harness.

Caution: You should park the trailer on a level surface before disconnecting the hitch. Otherwise, the trailer can roll onto the road or even trip.

• Drop the Rear Support Legs

Next up, remove the locking pin and lower both rear support legs until they touch the ground. Once it touches the ground, then insert the pin inside the lock to secure the legs.

• Crank Up the Trailer

Afterward, come towards the front of the board trailer and then rotate the crank handle to raise the entire trailer slightly up. Doing so is highly recommended, as this reduces the load on the vehicle’s hitch and gives enough support to drop front legs.

• Drop the Front Support Legs

Now repeat the same process and unlock the front support legs by taking out the support pin. Then, lower both front stabilizing legs one by one until the ground. 

• Crank Down the Trailer for Stability

Since both front and rear legs are in place now, you need to lower the trailer. Rotate the same crank system and crank down until the full weight rests on the stabilizers. That way, the trailer stabilizes and firmly holds the weight of the arrow board instead of trailer wheels.

• Operate the Arrow Board Accordingly

Here comes the final step. As the arrow board and trailer are now set up and installed, you just need to operate them to start controlling the traffic flow.

First, flip the arrow display board into its upright position using a manual crank. Then, rotate the board and face it toward the direction you want.

Then, power on the board, and choose the correct arrow pattern or caution mode (based on your site’s traffic direction), and you’re done.

Safe Arrow Traffic Board Transportation Practices

1. Before moving, always double-inspect the hatch lock connection. Because if you drive with a loose hitch, remember the trailer can lose, separate, or even collide with other vehicles, and can result in severe damage. Apart from that, you could end up with heavy fines and punishments as well.
2. While transporting trailers, not necessarily, but we highly suggest you drive through shadow areas on the road and avoid driving under direct sunlight (If possible). Even if batteries are hidden inside the box, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can affect the batteries.
3. As we mentioned earlier, transport the traffic arrow board in the fully lowered position, and insert locking pins to keep it in place. Because failing to do so can lead to tipping and even structural damage to LED’s arrow and board. And you could end up putting weight on the company’s budget.
4. As a professional, you’ve likely taken care of the towing vehicle, but still, it’s easy to overlook tires. So, before transporting, always inspect the tire pressure. Because a damaged tire doesn’t just cause a delay, it’s a risk to everyone on the road.
5. Also, different states or regions have unique rules about towing speed, lighting, signage, or even trailer length. So, before you start transport, double-check your route for any towing restrictions or permit requirements.

Advanced Suspension Technology for Arrow Board Trailers Transport

Semi-Active Air Suspension Systems

Semi-active air suspension systems are a combination of air springs with adjustable dampers. This system is operated and controlled by a fuzzy logic control system that adapts in real-time according to the changing road conditions, load variations, and driving dynamics.

Several automotive manufacturers are adopting these trailer air suspension systems nowadays in their vehicles to transport arrow traffic control devices with improved ride comfort, stability, load adaptability and reduced chance of wear and tear.

Semi-Trailing Arm Suspension Systems

Semi-trailing arm suspension systems are generally an independent rear suspension that allows independence to each wheel, moving freely, providing better handling and comfort. This suspension system design also involves large-triangular arms that are angled to the vehicle’s longitudinal axis. The benefits of this system include improved stability, enhanced durability, and compact design.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Truck-Mounted Arrow Boards Maintenance

• Neglecting Regular Inspections

Regular inspections are vital for every traffic control device to keep the equipment in a working and original state. So, failing to conduct routine checks can lead to unnoticed wear and tear.

• Improper Mounting of the Arrow Board

Incorrect installation of arrow board, especially behind objects or obstruction, is a common mistake that significantly hinders ventilation to panels. Therefore, you should place the boards in open spaces to let equipment operation heat pass easily.

• Overlooking Electrical System Maintenance

Ignoring the electrical components, such as wiring and connectors, can result in malfunctioning lights or complete system failure. So, regularly check the electrical system and ensure proper functioning of the LED arrow board. 

• Using Low-Quality Replacement Parts

Though not all, but few facilities opt for inferior parts during equipment maintenance. That’s why we always enforce facilities to regularly maintain arrow boards to avoid malfunctions in the first place. Even in the case of faulty parts, invest in high-quality components for replacement.

• Inadequate Staff Training

Lack of proper training for personnel responsible for maintenance is also a mistake most facilities make and neglect, and end up with mishandling or improper repairs. So, ensure your staff are well-trained and aware of arrow boards installation guidelines.

Arrow Board for Sale

JACKWIN is your perfect place for Truck-Mounted, Directional, Mobile, Folding Frame, Traffic and Smart Arrow Boards, for temporary lane closure, construction zones, work zone safety, traffic-calming, public events, emergency situations and utility work. 

Jackwin also has a solar arrow board trailer for sale. Browse a large catalog of Arrow Boards by one of the leading manufacturers in China. Contact us today to get an instant quote!

Rent or Purchase Arrow Board

If we talk about whether you should rent or purchase arrow boards, it depends on your job. If you manage short-term projects such as temporary construction zones, emergency traffic redirection, or one-time events or short-duration maintenance, go for the arrow board rental option.

But if you’re a construction company, traffic control or safety facility, or municipalities & local governments and handle frequent road work, you should obviously purchase arrow boards. 

Bonus Tip: If you order from Jackwin in bulk, we provide you with arrow boards for sale at competitive factory rates with customized size, design, and functionalities in arrow board PCB boards.

Conclusion

Transportation of an arrow board trailer to the project site is actually simple if you learn the basics and correct way to secure and hatch the trailer with your towing vehicle. By following all the guidelines explained in this guide, you can help transport and operate arrow board trailers safely.