Safety Tips for Towing Your Travel Trailer

Many travel enthusiasts prefer driving a motorhome instead of towing a travel trailer. While this can reflect their driving preferences, the challenges of towing a trailer can also play a part. If you are a novice driver or haven’t hauled a trailer in a long time, you’ll find these travel trailer towing tips handy. The experts at Howdy RV have created this guide to keep you and other motorists safe on a highway. For more such ideas, visit us in Mathis, Texas, where we happily welcome our friends from Corpus Christi and San Antonio.

Preparing Your Travel Trailer

Before you hit the road, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider. Begin by making a note of your travel trailer’s measurements, such as its length, width, and height. Knowing the dimensions will help you avoid routes with overpasses and narrow roads where your camper won’t fit.

Next up, you’ll want to check the hitch to ensure that you’ve secured it properly. You’ll also want to place the towing chains of your camper under its tongue in an X shape to make sure your trailer doesn’t separate from your towing vehicle even if the hitch comes undone.

You’ll also want to follow the 60-40 rule while loading your trailer. Place 60% of your cargo weight towards the trailer’s hitch and the remaining 40% towards the rear. Make sure you also balance the weight from the left side to the right side.

Reversing

You’ll want to practice your reversing skills with your travel trailer to do it like a pro. Remember that a trailer moves to the opposite direction of where you turn your steering wheel. Therefore, if you want your trailer to move to the left while reversing, turn your steering wheel to the right. Don’t hesitate to get one of your passengers to spot you and look for blind spots so they can alert you if you need to apply brakes. Also, you’ll want to reduce any distractions and obstacles before you start reversing your trailer.

Turning

Handling your travel trailer at turns can be daunting as you must manage extra weight and length behind you. So, pull forward further than you usually would to ensure that you clear any corners. Also, avoid a turn that’s sharper than a right angle.

Essential Points to Consider

Mind the gap between you and the vehicle ahead of you. More room would give you the time you’ll need to react if the driver suddenly slammed on his vehicle's brakes. However, look out for drivers taking advantage of the gap you create.

A travel trailer’s tires can handle a speed of no more than 60 mph. So, to avoid wearing them out, avoid going beyond 55 mph. A lower speed will reduce the stress on the tires and make the journey safe and enjoyable for you.

We hope you find these tips helpful. If you need more such tips or help to service your travel trailer before you hit the road, ask our experts at Howdy RV. We can service your camper, show you our wide collection of travel trailers for sale, and help you pick a model that’s right for you. We’re in Mathis, TX, and happy to serve those in Corpus Christi and San Antonio. So, stop by today.