No matter where you’re hauling your RV this season, developing safe and effective towing practices are vital to a successful trip. Your travel trailer is important to you, as you can enjoy some great vacations and even build some memories with it, so you should do everything you can to protect your camper when you’re on the road. At Country Road RV in Sundre, we created a list of necessary tips you should keep in mind when towing your RV, and if you have any other questions, or would like to get some repairs to your RV, come see our experts in our parts or service departments. We’re always happy to help make your vacations safe and enjoyable.
The Basics
Even with a strong, powerful truck, you can never forget that you’re towing a large, heavy trailer behind you when hauling an RV. The extra weight and length added to your vehicle will change your driving style altogether, affecting things like acceleration, braking, and turning. With the extra mass, you obviously can’t slam on the brakes and stop on a dime. There’s just too much momentum with that much weight to stop quickly, so take it slow, and leave enough following distance between yourself and the car in front of you, so you can stop in time if they suddenly halt. Also, with the longer wheelbase, your center of gravity shifts further back behind you, so you’re more likely to roll if you take sharp corners too quickly. Take corners slow, and you’ll be able to navigate turns easily and safely.
Loading Properly
Improperly loaded trailers will make your towing experience much more difficult, so be sure to follow guidelines for proper loading practices. You should put about 10 to 15 percent of the trailer’s weight in the nose of the RV, so it’s supported by the towing vehicle’s axle. If you load too lightly in the nose, you’ll have difficulty handling your trailer, and driving this way can be very dangerous. You’ll also want to balance the left and right side of your RV evenly, since one heavy side will also affect your control, and can especially make sharp corners more stressful.
Hooking up to your Truck
It’s not difficult to hook your trailer up to your truck, but following some tips will make this job a bit simpler. If you cross your safety chains beneath the hitch in an X formation, you’ll prevent your chains from binding together when taking sharp corners. This will also give you more control in case the trailer comes unhitched, which allows you enough time to safely pull into a parking lot or onto the road’s shoulder.
Tire Pressure and Wear
Always keep your tires at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure level. Tires with low pressure create more friction, which can cause a blowout and possibly even make your travel trailer roll. Keep the pressure at the appropriate level on both your tow vehicle and your RV to prevent dangerous circumstances and tire wear, and you’ll enjoy a smooth, safe ride for your entire trip.
Frequent Checkups
When taking a trip in your RV, you probably make frequent stops, and when you do, you should give your tow set-up a good onceover. Check your connections, safety pins, lights, and brakes, and if everything looks good, you can be confident that you’ll be okay until your next stop. Be vigilant about doing these checks, because if you fail to do so, you might miss small problems that can cause big damages.
Fresh Water Tanks
Since fresh water weighs 8 lbs per gallon, you can easily add hundreds of pounds to your travel trailer with fresh water tanks. Be mindful of how this weight can add up affect your driving. Try to drive with empty water tanks as often as possible, as it will make towing much easier for you.
Bearings
Finally, you want to pay as much attention to travel trailer maintenance as you do to your tow vehicle’s, so be sure to pack your trailer’s wheel bearings every year with a high grade synthetic wheel bearing grease. This will greatly improve driveability and your trailer’s longevity, so it’s very important to keep on top of if you want to get the most out of your RV.
With these simple towing tips, you’ll be confident that towing your travel trailer on your next will be easy and stress free! At Country Road RV, we care about your safety and the maintenance of your RV, so if you’d like any other assistance with planning how to haul your camper, or need some repairs before your next trip, come into our service center near Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Cochrane, Lethbridge, and Canmore, Alberta.
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