Motorhome Towing Tips

Motor homes are a popular way to travel for people who enjoy comfort and flexibility while traveling across country. If your motor home is towing, following a few safety precautions could make the difference between a pleasant vacation or a horrible one. In addition, in the event your RV breaks down these motor home towing tips will come in handy.

If your RV is towing something, find out the exact weight of the RV and of the vehicle being towed. For reference, consult the vehicle manuals for precise weights. Weight distribution is important to a successful tow. To optimize the weight distributions refer to your vehicle's gross axle weight ratings, or GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). To ensure proper loading, check the vehicles' tire pressures. Every motor home has unique tyre pressure standards, so refer to your manual for the correct pressures.

With RV towing, if your load is over 1200 pounds, installing a separate braking system is a good idea. Also, researching the laws for the states you will be traveling to is not a bad idea. Each state has its own laws regarding weight requirements and stipulations. Remember that all states require working taillights on both the towing and towed vehicles. In addition, your mirrors are your eyes on the road behind you, so make sure you have proper rear vision on both sides of the vehicle.

Trailer towing is also popular for motor home tow vehicles because they provide a means to carry a boat, bikes, smaller car, etc. along with you. When trailer towing, the trailer hitch will be vital for a successful journey. As with the motor home, check your trailer's tyre pressure and ensure that all lug nuts are securely tightened. After all wires are connected to the RV, look to see if all the lights are working properly - including the brake and turn signal lights.

Finally, double check that the trailer tongue is securely locked on the hitch ball and connect the safety chains. Safety chains are required for trailer towing. In the event the hitch fails, the safety chains prevent the trailer from separating from the tow vehicle.

In the event that your RV breaks down, a heavy-duty tow vehicle will need to be called. These heavy-duty towing vehicles are equipped with winch systems allowing one end of the towed vehicle to be held off the ground. The RV may be placed on rubber mats at the bottom of the winch boom so that the rear wheels are still usable on the street. This will ensure the safety of the RV and possessions inside.

A motor home is a fun investment the whole family can enjoy. Just be sure to be safe, be smart and have fun. And remember, there are extra safety precautions to be observed when either towing with the RV or having it towed.

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