RV Towing Safety Tips to Remember

Before you hit the open road with your RV, one of the important things to keep in mind is towing safety. Whether you’re towing a fifth wheel behind a pickup or hitching a vehicle to your motorhome, a few precautions are necessary. Recreation vehicles are large, and operating one safely takes some specialised knowledge. Here are the questions to answer before you leave.

1. How much weight can I tow?

Two terms set your capacity: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). GVWR establishes the maximum weight you can safely carry, while GAWR shows how that weight needs to be distributed, and what the tire pressures should be. The vehicle manufacturer publishes both.

2. How heavy is my load?

Estimate it thoroughly — passengers, belongings, fuel and the water tanks — and check it against the GVWR. You can check this number by visiting a highway scale.

3. Is my RV safely equipped?

Before you drive: check the hitch is secure, the load is secured, the tires are sound and the lights all work. Make sure the propane appliances and water valves are off, and that nobody is riding in the towed vehicle. Once you’re in the seat, check the mirrors and test the brakes. Stop periodically on the way to re-check the connections.

Practice first

Find a vacant lot or a quiet rural area, and spend some time getting a sense of how your vehicle handles while towing — turning, accelerating, braking and reversing.