Your travel trailer is a vital part of your outdoor adventures. It gives you a safe and stable space for sleeping, eating, and traveling. But if you’re new to the RV lifestyle, you might be worried about towing your rig. It’s important to transport your rig safely to avoid damage to your trailer or your tow vehicle.
At Patriot RV, we want our customers to be safe every time they head out on an outdoor adventure. That’s why we’ve created the following list with tips for towing your trailer. If you have any questions, reach out to our team at our Theodore, Alabama location. We also proudly serve Mobile and Grand Bay too, so we can’t wait to help you with your boat and RV needs!
The Right Equipment
Before you tow anything, you’ll need to make sure that you have all of the proper towing equipment. This will include your RV, tow vehicle, hitch, towing chains, lights, and brakes. Your towing vehicle will need to be able to handle the extra weight of your fully loaded trailer. Both the vehicle and the travel trailer should be in good working order with aired-up tires, as well as functional signals and brakes.
You should have a hitch that can handle the extra weight too. Towing chains may be necessary to keep your rig connected in case the hitch fails. Depending on your rig’s hitching system, you may need a specific vehicle such as a pickup truck to tow your unit.
Hitching the Trailer
You should check out your owner’s manual to make sure you are using the hitch correctly. Before hitting the road, double-check all of your connections, including the coupler to the wiring for brakes and lights. You should anchor your safety chains to the corners of your rear bumper and cross them underneath the tongue of the hitch. Test the signals and brakes before you depart.
It’s also a good idea to practice in an empty parking lot before taking a trip. You should be comfortable driving with the extra weight and length that your camper adds. Practice turning, reversing, braking, and parking.
Pay attention to whether or not you can see through your rearview mirror. If not, you will need to rely heavily on your sideview mirrors while driving.
Increase Following Distance
When driving on the highway, leave a little more distance between yourself and other vehicles. Your setup is heavier and will require more time to slow down and make a complete stop. Go ten to five miles below the speed limit and avoid changing lanes. Brake as far in advance as possible! This will keep you and your fellow drivers safe.
Scan for Obstacles
You will also need to be an extra vigilant driver. Scan the roads ahead for any potential obstacles. Watch for brake lights in front of you, swerving cars, construction sites, animals, or pedestrians. Be prepared to react quickly in the event of a sudden traffic flow change.
Control Trailer Sway
One more thing you can do to safely tow your rig is to reduce the risk of trailer sway. This occurs when wind causes your rig to move from side to slide and swerve into other lanes. This can drag your vehicle to one side or the other. If you feel like your travel trailer is swaying, reduce your speed. If the wind is unusually high, pull over and wait till it ends. You can also invest in a hitch stabilization device that can help reduce sway.
We hope you find these tips helpful! At Patriot RV, we know how important safety is to you and your family. If you have any questions, give us a call! We are located in Prestonsburg, KY and are here to help with all your outdoor needs!
