It's your first time towing an RV. Although it's not a difficult thing to master, it does require a change in your everyday driving habits.Meaning no quick moments, fast starts, last minute stops, weaving in and out of lanes on the highway, so on and so forth. When towing a trailer you must always remember you are towing a huge mass behind you. It is very easy for the trailer to push or pull you where it wants to go, by being smart and taking the proper precautions while driving, you will be in control the whole time. Here are some tips to help you become a safer driver while towing.
Make sure to have a tow vehicle that is capable of towing your RV safely. You don't want your tow vehicle underpower when towing. It would be unsafe to tow a RV that is heavier and larger than what your tow vehicle can tow. Not sure if your vehicle can tow the RV you are looking for, read Matching your tow vehicle with an RV, or use the Tow Rating Search to find all the RVs your vehicle can tow.
Starting and stopping may sound simple enough but taking your time while doing both will make you a safer driver. When starting, start going slow, be aware of the traffic ahead of you. Don't get in a rush to get all the weight moving as soon as the traffic moves, you never know if someone might slam on their breaks.
Leaving ample room between you and the vehicle ahead of you will make things easier when stopping. Stopping is not stepping on your brakes at the last moment; you have a lot more weight behind you that won't let you stop right away. So when it comes to stopping, leaving yourself enough room while driving will allow you to lightly break until you can slow your vehicle down adequately.
Towing an RV takes a bit more patients, taking your time and not getting in a hurry to get where you are going. So remember to leave early enough, if it is a holiday weekend, remember there are going to be a lot more people with the same idea as you. To keep yourself out of trouble, make a nice easy pace, don't try to keep up with traffic or beat others to your destination. RVing is not only about your destination but it's also about what you see along the way. You will enjoy the trip a lot more if you enjoy the drive getting to your destination just as much as being at your destination.
Balancing the weight of your RV is an important thing to remember to towing. Make sure when packing, you don't just pack everything in the rear of your trailer. If the trailer is heavy in the rear it can pull you a lot easier across all lanes of the highway. By packing your RV correctly it will help while towing.
If you have never towed anything before, it's a great idea to start out in a large parking lot or some back roads. Learning how to make proper turns, backing into places, passing, and other maneuvers you made need to learn before heading into full traffic. Practicing before your first trip may give you more confidence when you get into a traffic packed highway or city.
Lastly, just stay calm, take your time, hold back from the crowd, plan your route, and leave early enough so you're not in a rush. Don't try and multitask, if you have someone else with you have them read the map and be your director. Do all these things will make your trip less stressful and more relaxing. RV Vacation Guide is a great vacation guide to help you find a place to take your family on their next camping trip.
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