Towing After Dark: Night Driving and Deer Season Tips for Michigan

Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, November 1, and the sun now sets around 5:20 p.m. in Lake Orion. By the end of November, it sets close to 5 p.m. That means more trailer trips end in the dark.

Fall is also the peak season for deer crashes in Michigan. Here's how to tow safely at night.

Why November nights are different

Michigan's crash data puts this in perspective:

• Michigan had 58,271 vehicle-deer crashes in 2025, with 1,724 people injured and 13 killed.
• October, November, and December made up nearly 41% of those crashes.
• Oakland County had the most deer crashes in the state in 2025, with 2,259.
• The Michigan State Police says about 80% of deer crashes happen on two-lane roads, and deer are most active at dawn and dusk.

Sources: Michigan State Police: Deer-Vehicle Crashes and AAA Michigan deer crash report

Before you leave: lights you can count on

At night, your trailer lights show other drivers where your trailer is and when you're stopping or turning. Check them before every trip.

• Hook up and test every light: running lights, brake lights, both turn signals, and any side marker or clearance lights.
• Clean the lenses and reflectors. Mud, road grime, and leaves can hide them.
• Check the plug and the ground wire if anything flickers. Our trailer lights troubleshooting guide walks through the common fixes.
• Clean your tow vehicle's headlights and windshield, inside and out. A dirty windshield makes glare from oncoming headlights much worse.
• Adjust your mirrors while it's still light, so you can see down both sides of the trailer.

Know the Michigan headlight rules

Michigan law requires lights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and any other time you can't clearly see people and vehicles 500 feet ahead, like in fog, heavy rain, or snow. Parking lights alone aren't allowed when lights are required.

When you're using high beams, Michigan law says you must switch to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.

Sources: MCL 257.684 and MCL 257.700, Michigan Legislature. This is a general summary, not legal advice. For more Michigan towing rules, see our Michigan towing laws guide.

Driving with a trailer in the dark

A trailer needs more room to stop, and at night you see hazards later. Give yourself extra margin:

• Slow down. Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance your headlights show.
• Leave more following distance than you would in daylight.
• Use high beams on empty roads, then dim them for oncoming traffic. The Michigan State Police recommends high beams and extra driving lights to see the road better when they're safe to use.
• Take wide, slow turns. Curbs and ditches are harder to see in the dark, and the trailer wheels track inside your truck's path.
• Signal early so drivers behind you have time to react.

If your trailer has electric brakes, make sure the brake controller is set right before you go. Our trailer brakes guide explains how.

Watching for deer

The Michigan State Police advice for deer applies even more when you're towing:

• Scan the roadside, especially near woods, field edges, fencerows, and water.
• Look for eyeshine, the reflection of your headlights in a deer's eyes, and for shapes on the shoulder.
• If you see one deer, expect more. Deer often cross in single file.
• Slow down and be ready to stop when deer are near the road. If a deer stops on the road, don't try to go around it.
• Be extra alert at dusk and dawn.

If a crash can't be avoided

This is the hard part: don't swerve. The State Police says the most serious deer crashes happen when drivers swerve and hit another vehicle or a tree, or roll over. With a trailer behind you, a sudden swerve can also start sway or a jackknife.

Instead:

1. Brake firmly and stay in your lane.
2. Hold the wheel with both hands and bring the truck and trailer to a controlled stop.
3. Turn on your flashers and move to the shoulder if you can.
4. Stay away from the deer, call the police to report the crash, and check the truck, trailer, hitch, and lights for damage before driving on.

If the trailer starts to sway at any point, our trailer sway guide explains what to do.

Plan your trips around the daylight

When you can, tow in daylight: pick up early, load during the day, and don't rush home at dusk. If a trip will run late, do your pre-trip check in the light. Our pre-trip checklist takes about 10 minutes.

Need a trailer this month?

Fall and early winter jobs still need hauling. See our Rental Fleet or use the Which Trailer Do I Need? guide to pick the right one. Call or message for rates.

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