Tips for Towing an RV

Recreational vehicles offer an excellent way to experience the wonderful outdoors and visit new places in a fun and unique way. However, getting to your destination can be a little tricky, especially for first-time owners. After all, campers are heavier in weight and they’re also longer and wider than your commuter vehicle, so towing one of these units will feel a little different from normal driving. Towing may seem difficult at first, but with the right mindset and some practice, you’ll quickly become an expert.

Here at The RV Guys, we strive to make your life easier. That's why we created the following beginner's guide to towing an RV. If you have any questions or if you’re still looking for a rig, feel free to give us a call or visit us to check out some of the top models that we have in stock at our dealership in Valley View, Texas.

Choose the Right Towing Vehicle

The most important priority is to ensure that you have the correct towing vehicle for the size of the RV you plan to tow. Not every vehicle can handle the extra weight, so you need to be selective and do your research. Check the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of your towing vehicle, which is set by the manufacturer and refers to the maximum weight limit that an SUV or a car can handle, including the vehicle itself, any towed vehicles, all your belongings, and passengers. You’ll find this listed on the passenger side door or in the owner’s manual.

Exceeding the GCWR is extremely dangerous. You’re also required by law to comply with weight restrictions when towing, which is for the safety of you as well as others on the road. Towing too much weight behind your vehicle can result in tire blowouts, swaying, or damage to your vehicle’s suspension system. If caught by law enforcement, you’ll face a hefty fine, so it’s just not worth it.

Practice Your Driving Skills

As we mentioned before, towing an RV is a little different from driving your car like you normally would. You’ve added weight and length with your camper so you’ll need to be extra careful with how you drive. There are certain basic driving skills that you’ll need to practice, like turning, reversing, and braking. Before you hit the road, spend some time practicing in a large empty parking lot. 

You’ll want to be confident when you hit the road for the long haul, so give yourself plenty of time to master these skills. Once you’re confident in these skills, you should also try merging onto the highway to practice driving at higher speeds while towing. Choose a time of day when the traffic is at a minimum, so you won’t feel as much pressure from surrounding vehicles.

Use Safe Driving Tactics on the Road

Use defensive driving strategies to help keep your tow vehicle, your RV, and yourself safe on the road. Leave plenty of room between yourself and other motorists. You may want to double your following distance because the added weight will mean that coming to a full stop takes more time.

Stick to the right-most lanes of traffic and try not to switch lanes. Allow other vehicles to pass you. Limit any distractions to help improve your focus on the road, such as setting up navigation before you begin driving. If you'll be making a long drive, take breaks as needed to ensure that you stay focused while you drive.

We hope you found this RV towing guide useful! For more information or if you want to explore our incredible selection of recreational vehicles for sale, visit The RV Guys in Valley View, TX, where we proudly serve all those coming from North Texas.