Purchasing your first travel trailer is an exhilarating experience. You now get to make your own memories and see how well RV camping lives up to all the hype. You won’t be disappointed, but one thing you’ll need to anticipate is how to properly tow your trailer. Travel trailers add extra weight and length to the back of your tow vehicle, which can make driving a serious challenge. At Bretz Airstream, we want your first trip to go as smoothly as possible, so we created this guide to give you some tips for towing your trailer to the campsite. If you want to get started by browsing our inventory of RVs, stop by our dealership in Missoula, MT. We’ll hook you up with your very first home-on-wheels, and you’ll enjoy many years of luxurious vacations!
Obey Government Weight Restrictions
Before purchasing one of our travel trailers, we recommend doing some research on government weight restrictions. Your tow vehicle is assigned a gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which dictates the total amount of weight your vehicle can carry and tow. This means that all weight, whether in the trailer or in your vehicle’s cab, needs to add up to less than the GCWR. When purchasing a trailer, don’t just consider the RV’s weight by itself, but also think about how much extra weight you’ll add when you’re fully loaded for a weekend vacation.
After you’ve purchased an RV and you’re ready to set out on your first vacation, stop by the first weigh station you come across to make sure you’re below your GCWR. If you go past this number and get pulled over, you’ll be stuck with a serious fine. Always tow safe and tow smart by keeping an eye on your weight.
Prepare for Loading
When it’s time to set out for your first vacation (or any vacation after that), you’ll need to get your trailer hitched and loaded properly. Before taking off, check to be sure your mirrors are extended for maximum visibility and that all brake lights and turn signals on your trailer are functioning. Next, travel trailers need to be loaded carefully so you can still control them on the road. Put about 10-20% of your weight on the front of the trailer, and evenly space out the other weight throughout the rest of the RV. This weight in the nose adds pressure to your hitch, which will keep it connected when driving. After you’re all loaded up, double check that any cargo on the outside is snug and not extending more than 4 feet. If the cargo does extend further than this, mark it with a bright colored flag.
Revisit Driving Basics
Long before you even start preparing for a new vacation, you should take some time to practice towing RVs. Trailers have a significant impact on a vehicle’s handling and performance, so hitch up your travel trailer and find a large, empty parking lot to relearn some of the driving basics. Drive back and forth to get a feel for your vehicle’s braking abilities and acceleration. The braking system in your RV applies pressure gradually as you engage the brake, so it won’t come to a sudden halt if you try stopping on a dime. Practice applying the brakes slowly but consistently so your tow vehicle and trailer stop at the same time. Also get some practice parking, turning around obstacles, and backing up. All of these just take a little time, but will get easier the more you try.
You’ll also need to hit the highway with an empty trailer for a little while before taking your first long distance road trip. Allow twice as much following distance between you and the car ahead, since you can’t brake nearly as fast. The wind will also affect your handling much more while towing, so stay focused on controlling your vehicle when gusts from other cars and heavy winds hit you.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions can lead to an accident for all types of drivers, but driving distracted while towing is twice as dangerous. The extra weight on your hitch is bound to affect your driving, and not paying attention to your vehicle’s behavior is a recipe for disaster. Don’t take your hands off the wheel, and keep your eyes on the road at all times. If you need directions or have to communicate with someone in another vehicle, let your passengers use the GPS or phone. Even if you stop for some takeout, don’t eat and drive. You might be able to get away with snacking while driving a regular vehicle, but when you’re towing several thousand pounds, even one small distraction can mean a terrible accident. Overall, you will be fine if you just stay focused and make frequent stops if you need a break from driving for a while.
Learning to load and haul a travel trailer can be tricky at first, but with some good advice and practice, you can become a tow pro in no time! If you would like any more guidance, or want to check out our great selection of RVs, feel free to talk to one of our professionals at Bretz Airstream in Missoula, MT. We proudly serve the areas of Kalispell, Bozeman, and Billings, MT.