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Tips for Towing Your Travel Trailer or RV Camper

When you've got your travel trailer all packed up, the only thing standing between you and an unforgettable camping experience is the drive you take to get there. For some, towing is no big deal. But for others, it's the part they dread the most. If you're feeling some anxiety about towing your travel trailer, this brief guide will help. Here at RVs Northwest, we understand that there may be some anxiety about towing, so we want to help you build the confidence you need to safely tow your travel trailer. If you have any questions or need service for your travel trailer, RV, or camper, stop by our Spokane, Washington dealership and service center!

Preparation

Some of the most important work involved with the towing process happens before you ever leave your driveway. The preparation you do will directly affect the safety and smoothness of you trip. To start out, take a walk around your RV. Check any doors or panels and make sure they're all locked. If you have any cargo secured to the outside, check to make sure it is properly strapped down. Make sure the mirrors on your tow vehicle are large enough to allow you to see fully to the end of your trailer. Check the pressure in all your tires and make sure they meet manufacturer standards. Make sure your brakes and turning signals work as well. It's important to be confident in your setup before you get around other vehicles.

Weight Distribution

Part of your preparations should include making sure the weight in your travel trailer is properly distributed. You'll want to have most of the weight centered over the front axle. Only about 10% of your trailer's total weight should rest on the hitch. Any more and you risk a loss of traction for your tow vehicle. (imagine your tow vehicle as a seesaw, with the engine on one end and the trailer on the other. If the trailer pushes down, the front end will raise up and you'll lose traction and control.) Next, make sure weight is symetrically distributed from one side to the other when you're looking at it straight on. This will make cornering more predictable, and it will also help your tires to wear out evenly.

Braking

When learning how to tow, you sometimes have to relearn the basics of driving, such as steering and parking. This is especially true with braking, as your trailer will likely have its own independent braking system. Make sure to give yourself much more room to brake for obstacles or stop lights. This requires keeping your attention farther down the road than you normally would. You'll also need to master your trailer brake system. There should be a little lever that controls the brakes. Use this when you're coming to a stop. It should apply a small amount of pressure and then steadily grow the longer it's held on. This makes it different from your normal brakes, would should apply with pressure that corresponds to how hard you press on the brake pedal. You can also use your engine brake to steady a trailer that's rocking in the crosswind on a highway by lightly applying the brakes for a few seconds until the trailer straightens out.

Steering

Like braking, steering during towing is a process that needs to be relearned. Normally a driver looks forward as they turn to anticipate any obstacles that may enter their path around the corner. When you turn with a trailer, you'll need to look back using your mirrors. The purpose for this is to monitor where your trailer is at in comparison to the other obstacles on the road. You will quickly realize how many low-hanging branches there are on the road, and how easy it is to hop curbs with your back tire. Remember to pull out farther than you normally would when turn to give yourself as much turning room as possible.

Highway Driving

The final skill to master is driving on the highway. Make sure to always give yourself plenty of room between your vehicle and the next so that you can come to a complete stop. Keeping an even speed will make it easier to know when you need to pass, and it will also help you save on gas mileage. Passing should be kept to the bare minimum. Unless you get stuck behind someone going less than the speed limit, it's best to just accept their speed. If you have to speed up to pass someone, you might end up getting beyond the recommended speed of 55 mph for your RVs tires. And remember, the worst thing you can do is slam on the brakes, as it can cause your RV to come unhitched or even jackknife.

With a few simple steps, you can learn how to safely tow your vehicle. Stop by RVs Northwest for more advice or service. We can make sure your RV is in good condition to travel, and we can also help you find any extra equipment you still need to pick up. From our convenient Spokane, Washington location, we service all makes and models of RV. If you're in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, or Lewiston, Idaho, stop by RVs Northwest today.