FAQs

For tow vehicle ratings visit www.trailerlife.com (see tow ratings). All vehicles have manufacturer weight ratings for axle capacity. To determine your hitch weight capacity: (A) weigh your vehicle’s rear axle at full fuel, then (B) subtract that from the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) on your vehicle. The difference is your allowable hitch weight, including passengers and cargo.

For a listing of manufacturer approved vehicles visit www.motorhomemagazine.com (see Dinghy towing).

Yes. We finance through the bank of your choice, offering low rates and long-term loan options. We offer special financing terms that include no payments for up to 6 months.

Yes, on both new and used units. New purchasers can extend service contracts for an additional 6 years with 0 deductible in most cases. On used units up to 10 years old, 4-year extended service packages are available.

Yes. We have six acres of secure storage available on a monthly, seasonal or year-round basis.

Summer (from May 1st): Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–5pm.
Winter (from September 1st): Monday–Friday 8:30am–5pm, Saturday 9am–5pm.

We have one of the largest parts departments in Canada backed up with a 12-bay service department. If we don’t have an item in stock, we will order it in if it is available.

We service all makes and models of RV’s. We are an authorized service centre for Dometic, Hydroflame, Norcold, A&E Awnings, Coleman Falkner and Suburban.

There is no noise when an RV fridge is working, as it operates on a different system than your house fridge.

The tire manufacturer stamps the maximum pressure on the side of the tires. Consult the tire manufacturer.

Current hitches will fit most trucks. In most cases it’s just a matter of changing your frame brackets. As of January 1, 2004, fifth wheel hitches cannot be installed over bed liners except spray-in types.

When your water takes on a “rotten egg” smell you know that it’s past time to sanitize your water system. We recommend sanitizing each spring.

Before towing for the first time, check with your dealer for your vehicle’s towing capacity and the equipment you may need — heavy-duty shocks, springs, or a transmission cooler.

If insufficient weight is placed on the trailer hitch (7–18 per cent of the total loaded weight of the trailer is recommended), the trailer may sway from side to side and tip over. Never overload — it causes instability and tire damage. Load heavy objects at the bottom and secure all loads.

The GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the maximum weight the manufacturer states the vehicle and its load can weigh and still operate safely.

The GAWR(R) is the Gross Axle Weight Rating (Rear). This is the maximum weight the manufacturer states can be loaded onto the rear axle and still operate safely.

Fill the vehicle with fuel and weigh the front and rear axles separately. Subtract the actual weight from the GAWR for each axle to find the carrying capacity. In the worked example the front usable weight is 300 kg and the rear 1,700 kg, for a total tow capacity of 1,900 kg.

The dry hitch weight is the amount of weight that will be transferred onto the towing vehicle before water, personal articles and supplies are installed in the trailer.

Attach the hitch to the vehicle frame for all but the lightest trailers. The hitch must be rated for the trailer’s GVWR and attached securely, without a bed liner underneath. For trailers over 1,590 kg, use load equalizing hitches; for larger trailers, use a gooseneck or fifth wheel hitch. Ball diameters: up to 900 kg use a 47 mm ball; up to 2,270 kg use 51.2 mm; up to 4,540 kg use 58 mm.

Electric brakes are not permitted on trailers manufactured after June 30, 1987, if: the trailer has a single axle, and the total weight of the trailer is more than 3,700 kg (8,200 lbs.); or the trailer has two or more axles, and the total weight of the loaded trailer is more than 5,500 kg (12,100 lbs.).

Electric brakes are comparatively inexpensive and easy to install and hook up. However, together with extra trailer lamps, they put an additional load on the electrical system. Maintaining them properly is difficult, so their use with heavier trailers is not recommended.

If rated over 1,360 kg, a trailer must have brakes on at least one axle if manufactured before 1985, and on all axles if 1985 or later. Some jurisdictions require brakes on trailers with a lower GVWR, or on all trailers. Motorhomes towing vehicles must have operational brakes on towed vehicles exceeding 40% of the motorhome’s GVWR.

The total length of the vehicle and trailer(s) must not exceed 23 m (75 feet, six inches) and the width of any unit must not exceed 2.6 m (eight feet, six inches). The maximum length of a single trailer is 16.2 m (53 feet) and the maximum height allowed is four metres (13 feet, two inches).

You may tow multiple trailers, but it increases instability with cars or light pickups. The lead trailer must have at least two axles, or be a fifth wheel or gooseneck. For example, a camper (two axles) must tow a boat, not the other way round. Fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers do not require two axles.

Every trailer must have another means of attachment in addition to the main hitch. A safety chain or chains is one of the best forms of back-up protection. Chains attach to the trailer tongue (not the coupler), looped and crossed underneath, then attached to the towing vehicle frame. Automatic braking devices are required on all trailers over 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs.).

See the entries below for the lighting a wide trailer and a long trailer require, and for reflectors and licence plate lighting.

If the trailer is over 2,060 mm (81 inches) wide, it must have four clearance lights at the widest part: two amber lights facing front and two red lights facing rear. Wide trailers also need three rear identification lights: one in the centre and two as close to the centre as practical.

Side marker lights, amber at the front corners and red at the rear corners, are required on trailers more than four metres (13 feet) in length and manufactured after 1971.

Trailer taillights, rear clearance lights and side marker lights must have reflective lenses, or the trailer must be equipped with additional reflectors in these locations.

The license plate on the trailer must be illuminated.

To reduce the rearward spray of stones, mud or snow, the full width of the rear trailer tires must be protected by the fender, mud flap, or body overhang.

Heavier loads may require higher tire pressure. Because the tires on the towing vehicle must carry the extra load, they should be correctly inflated — check your vehicle owner’s manual or tire sidewall for pressure ranges.

Inspect annually: ball lubrication, tire pressure and condition, wheels, nuts and bearings, hitch connection and locking, safety chains, electrical wiring, brake linings and hoses, light operation, frame condition, the battery for electric brakes, propane lines for leaks, and the fire extinguisher.

Before each trip check the tires, hitch, safety chains, lights, connectors, brake operation and mirror positioning.