RV Towing Tips That You Need To Know

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by Jim Johnson

RV TowingIt probably wasn’t long after the first RV was made that someone was trying to figure out a way to attach another vehicle and tow it along too. It sounds simple enough, but there are several important considerations that come into play. Most modern RVs and motorhomes are pretty big affairs all on their own, but when you add the weight of another vehicle as well, that’s is a lot of bulk to have to both start and stop rolling as you go down the highway. So here are some rv towing tips that you should know to help you tow properly:

* Actually the first thing to understand is that towing is a whole subject to itself and it requires a lot of research and the right equipment to do it right, so don’t expect to learn all that you need to know from just one article like this. A good place to start is to look carefully through the owner’s manual that came with your motorhome and find out what the specific recommendations are for your RV that have been made by the manufacturer themselves. Follow the guidelines laid out by the RV maker very carefully and if they have restrictions for the use of towing, adhere to them.

* Make sure that the vehicle that you wish to tow does not exceed the proper weight for safe towing. You should make sure that the weight of the tow vehicle and any equipment attached to it or that it rests on, combined with the total weight of the motorhome and all of it’s contents does not exceed the GCWR(Gross Combined Vehicle Rating) for your RV. This is absolutely vital for safe operation., so be sure that you do your homework well in this area.

* You have three main choices for the actual towing of the extra vehicle, you can either (1) just tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, (2) tow it with the drive wheels lifted off the ground by a dolly, or (3) by putting it on a trailer that removes the tow vehicle from the ground altogether. What you choose will probably depend on a few factors including what your RV manufacturer recommends and the kind of transmission that the tow vehicle has. On some vehicles you can severely damage the transmission if the drive wheels are left on the ground and the driveshaft is not disconnected, and on others you may need an automatic transmission pump to help lubricate the transmission while towing, so consult the vehicle’s manufacturer as well to get a better feel about the kind of tow apparatus that you will need.

Of course, any rv towing tips that are provided needs to include a warning about backing up a motorhome with a tow vehicle still attached. This can easily cause damage to both the tow vehicle and the RV if you are not very familiar with these kind of procedures. So usually it’s best to just unhook the tow vehicle before attempting backing up of any kind.

The more research that you can do on this subject in preparation for towing the better, and always err on the side of safety in any decision that you make.

Find out more about rv towing tips and rving tips by visiting our Motorhomes Review website.

Make The Long Haul Safe And Simple With A Utility Trailer

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by Tom Sample

No matter how you crack it, at some point we all need to haul a large item from one point to another. Whether it’s a homeowner cleaning out a garage and needing to get rid of some debris, or it’s a small business that needs to get equipment to a job site, Utility Trailerhauling is a fact of life. The costs of truck purchases for some jobs are just too great, and this is where a good utility trailer can really step in and save the day.

A utility trailer is simply a platform for hauling items. It can be an elaborate add on to a vehicle that includes safety walls and other features, or it can just be a wheeled slab on which to secure a piece of machinery or item for hauling. There are a number of things to consider, however, when adding a trailer onto a vehicle. They include:

* Local laws. Many states require even simple trailers to have their own license plates. They also require lighting systems that include break lights and hazards. This is for the safety of everyone on the road, the hauler included.

* Proper hook up. Trailers are wonderful for homeowners who occasionally need to pick up big items, but don’t own trucks. Easy to add to a car or a small, personal use pickup truck, trailers free their owners up from having to rent a big hauler or hire someone else to do the work for them. They must, however, be hooked up safely. This means the attachment to the towing vehicle must be safe and secure and the lighting system needs to be in place correctly. Doing otherwise might not only result in an accident, but also the loss of the load being hauled.

* Weight considerations. A small, wooden trailer with a wheel system that’s meant to hold only 500 pounds, cannot and should not be loaded up with a ton of debris or lawn equipment. Make sure you know what your trailer is rated for and follow all safety precautions.

Businesses, too, often use trailer systems to help them get their work done. Plumbers, electricians, other construction trades and especially lawn maintenance companies rely on trailers to help them get from jobsite to jobsite with their equipment intact. The benefits of trailers over much larger trucks for hauling equipment and supplies are many. They include:

* Increasing the capacity of a regular work truck without having to purchase more expensive vehicles.

* Ease of access of equipment. Open trailers or even enclosed ones make it much easier for employees to get at the equipment they need when they need it. Ramps on lawn equipment trailers, for example, are ideal for rolling equipment out when it’s needed. Plus, it makes it even easier to put equipment away after a long, hot day. After all, who wants to lift a heavy lawn mower onto a truck?

Utility trailers are oftentimes much more affordable and economical to keep up with than a full-sized truck or even a larger commercial truck. They are perfect for homeowners who need to do occasional hauling, great for businesses and simply irreplaceable to lawn maintenance crews.

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Your Guide To Towing – Know Before You Tow

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By Gray Rollins

If you love to camp, hike, fish, water ski and enjoy the great outdoors; chances are there will come a time when you want to tow a boat or camping trailer. Know before you tow with this guide to towing.

towing signHere are some terms you should be familiar with and what you need to check. The Base Curb Weight + Cargo Weight + Passenger Weight = GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight. The GVW + Loaded Trailer Weight = GCW or Gross Combination Weight.

The GVW must not exceed the GVWR which can be found on the safety Compliance Certification label. The GVWR is the maximum weight allowed on a fully loaded vehicle. This includes passengers and cargo. Once you have this information, you will be able to figure out what size trailer a vehicle can tow.

There are two different types of hitches on the market. A weight carrying hitch is common for small to medium size trailers. Use a good weight carrying hitch that properly distributes the weight. You’ll find a label on the hitch that provides the weight carrying and weight distributing capacity of the hitch. Don’t exceed the rating.

The weight distributing hitch uses a hitch platform to distribute the tongue load to all the wheels of the towing vehicle and trailer. It is the required type of hitch for most Class III and IV trailers. This type of hitch is welded or bolted to the frame of the vehicle and it has equalizing arms that are connected from the hitch to the trailer’s frame.

Besides the GVWR and the correct type of hitch, you also need to make sure your braking system is adequate. If your load is more than 1500 pounds, the law requires a separate braking system. There are two types on the market.

Electronically controlled brakes provide both automatic and manual control of the trailer brakes. The tow vehicle needs to be equipped with a controlling device and requires some wiring. Surge brakes are independent and are activated by a master cylinder that is located at the junction of the trailer tongue and hitch. Make sure your braking system conforms with all legal requirements.

The trailer will also need to be equipped with trailer lights that meet government regulations. Do not connect the trailer lights directly to the vehicle’s lighting system. They need to be installed with a proper wiring harness. See your dealer to ensure you have the correct wiring harness for your vehicle.

Safety chains should always be used when towing. They provide a connection between the trailer and the vehicle should the hitch fail. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue to stop the tongue from connecting with the ground if the hitch fails, and leave only enough slack to allow for a full turn.

A trailer is a great investment. It will take you from the mountains to the valleys and from the river to the lakes. If you haven’t towed before it’s natural to feel overwhelmed about choosing a vehicle and trailer to tow safely. This guide to towing will have you confidently towing in no time!

About the Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for UpTowing.com. To read our entire towing guide and to learn more about towing hitches, visit us.

Towing Your New Trailer

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By W. H. Ingle

You have bought a new trailer and have your first trip all planned out. Are you ready to start out on your trip? Assuming you have done all inspections for your trailer and cargo, then here are a few tips for being on the road and towing your trailer safely. Remember, there is a big difference between just driving your vehicle and hauling a load behind it. Handling characteristics will be startlingly different. Practicing on roads with little traffic or even in empty parking lots will help to give you a feel for how your vehicle will handle in different situations. And while in a deserted parking lot, it is a good time to practice backing and parking.

RV TowingTo back a trailer, turn your wheel right to back right and turn your wheel left to back left. Oversteering can cause the trailer to turn sharply, so do gradual movements. If you get in a bind, just pull forward and straighten everything out and try again.

Don’t forget to consult your vehicles’s owners manual for information on the correct driving gear when towing. If your manual is unavailable, call the dealer for your make of vehicle. Usually the service department has all the information you need and may have a few tips on the do’s and don’ts that may be useful to you.

Always drive at moderate speeds when towing. Some states even have laws and regulations for driving a certain speed below the posted limit when towing a trailer. Just be sure to leave plenty of time for your trip and don’t get in a hurry. This will also put less strain on your towing vehicle and may help in avoiding breakdowns. Also, driving at moderate speeds can avoid trailer sway .

While driving, it is essential you stay alert for potential problems ahead. Lane changes and braking are best when planned. Heavy braking can cause great problems such as sliding or even jack knifing, not to mention the extreme strain on your trailer, cargo or animals. A good rule of thumb on following distance of the vehicle in front of you is one and a half to two car lengths for every ten miles an hour of speed when towing. If people pull in front of you, drop back. Better safe than sorry. Try to anticipate having to stop for lights or traffic and begin slowing ahead of time. Remember, your braking time and distance are going to increase with a heavy load behind you. Try to avoid sudden steering maneuvers that could put you out of control when towing a load.

If the road you are traveling is bumpy or even gravel, you will need to travel at much slower speeds to maintain control. Gravel or "rutty" roads can even cause your vehicle and/or trailer to "float" and cause you to face disaster. Road and weather conditions will have an even greater effect on how you drive when towing.

When you make your first turn towing a trailer, you must remember to compensate for a much wider turn. The trailer’s wheels will be much further to the inside of a turn than the towing vehicle’s. The trailer will ride up on the curb, or into a ditch or, on left turns, even sideswipe vehicles.

There are other problems on the highway in dealing with other traffic and wind conditions. Large vehicles can cause wind shifts as they pass you. Just keep your hands on the wheel firmly and avoid over compensating. If the winds start your trailer swaying, do not hit the brakes. Instead, use the trailer brake activator to lightly apply the brakes on your trailer. Try shifting into a lower gear and decreasing the speed of your vehicle. Just hitting the brakes on the tow vehicle can make the sway worse as centrifugal force pushes the trailer forward.

If you have to pass another vehicle by changing lanes, please anticipate the much longer time needed for most vehicles when towing. Signal well in advance. Avoid passing on steep grades.You will need to start acceleration earlier and realize your tow vehicle will need much more time to pass when carrying a load. Make sure there is plenty of time to avoid oncoming traffic and leave plenty of clearance before moving back into your lane. You don’t want to hit the vehicle your passing with your trailer.

When traveling on roads with soft shoulders, avoid getting the trailer wheels off the pavement. Contacting the soft shoulder can cause the trailer to start to sway. If it happens, don’t panic. Do not try to steer right back onto the pavement or hard surface. Take your foot off the gas pedal but don’t hit the tow vehicles brakes. Activate the trailer brakes by hand and easily tap your vehicle brakes. Downshift if possible. When you have reached a much slower speed and your trailer is under control, gradually ease the wheels back onto the road.

When encountering steep grades you will notice different handling characteristics when towing. On a steep downhill grade the trailer can actually push your vehicle. Anticipate this and downshift and let off the gas a little. You may have to use your trailer brakes hand control to slow you but don’t ride them. Only tap them intermittently to avoid overheating of the brakes and ultimately, brake failure.. When facing a steep upgrade you should start accelerating early if possible. Again, you may have to downshift and keep increasing your gas pedal to compensate for the drag on you going uphill. As you reach the crest of the grade start backing off the pedal. A steep grade will test your tow vehicles limits.

Once you have reached your destination you have to find a place to park your "rig". It’s best to avoid parking on a grade. The more level the parking area the better. If you have to park on a grade, it is best to chock the wheels. Hopefully, you have some with you. If you have someone to help, have them guide you into the spot. You can’t always rely on the mirrors as the trailer may block your view. Once stopped, keep your foot on the brake, turn your wheels toward the curb (pointed in on a down hill, out on an uphill), apply the parking brake and then shift into park, or with a manual, your lowest gear. This method helps avoid locking your transmission due to the extra load.

If you are on even a small grade and you plan to unhitch your trailer, you must apply chocks to the trailers wheels to avoid the trailer from rolling away when uncoupled. Just having the lift down will not make it stable. Jack stands also come in handy to level your load.I hope this article has provided you with useful information but it is not intended to be the " be all and end all" of trailering safety. Read everything you can and talk to other more experienced trailer owners for tips on do’s and don’ts. Contact your state governments transportation department and familiarize yourself with laws, regulations and even local ordinances regarding trailers and towing.

About the Author: W. H. Ingle is the webmaster for http://www.longhornsales.com and a published author specializing in articles on the subject of trailering and transporting cargo and livestock.