Tips for Towing a Travel Trailer

Getting a travel trailer can be your first step to a very different kind of camping experience. Whether you have mostly been a tent camper or want to try something new, buying a travel trailer can be an excellent way to make the most of your outdoor adventures. However, if you’re new to these rigs, you may be nervous about towing such a large vehicle from one place to another. To help you become more confident and stay safe on the road, we have provided some tips in this brief guide.

Avoid Overloading Your Camper

First and foremost, you’ll want to be mindful of the total weight of your towing setup. Every manufacturer assigns a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) to their vehicles, which states how much weight can be hauled safely. Overloading your tow vehicle can lead to dangerous driving conditions, not only for you but also for the other commuters around you.

Because of how a travel trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle, you can virtually use any type of car, truck, or SUV, as long as it falls within the GCWR. If you still haven’t purchased your travel trailer, you’ll want to consider the tow vehicles you currently have and whether or not you’ll need a new one altogether.

Proper Weight Distribution

When your tow vehicle is ready to haul the travel trailer, you don’t want to make its job any harder than it already is. This means properly distributing the cargo weight inside the trailer. You’ll want the weight to be evenly distributed from side to side, but from front to back, try to put 10-20% of the overall weight up front near the trailer hitch. The rest of the weight should taper off the back, with about 40% of it in the back half of the camper.

Moving away from weight, there are some other important steps to ensure that your travel trailer stays in proper working condition. This includes regular maintenance checks, both on your own and from a professional. There are also ways to make driving your travel trailer safer, like using extended mirrors, brake lights, turn signals, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Take Time to Practice

There are several tips for towing a travel trailer, and some work better for some people and not so much for others. The only way you’ll get to know what works best for you is by practicing. Find a large, empty parking lot and take the time to learn basic travel trailer towing skills, including reversing, braking, parking, and turning. You’ll also need to be mindful of a wider turn radius and the braking distance.

Get Rid of Distractions

Just as you’d minimize distractions while driving, you’ll want to be diligent about staying focused when towing a travel trailer. If there’s another person along with you in the tow vehicle, let them worry about navigation, climate controls, and music. If you’re on your own, make sure all these things are set up before you hit the road.

Now it’s time to start practicing! Go slow and don’t stress yourself to figure out everything overnight. Odds are that this process will take a few tries before you’re truly confident. If you still need the perfect travel trailer, stop by RV Land in Kyle, TX. We welcome all those visiting us from Austin and San Antonio.