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Towing Your Trailer

Apr. 9 2020 RV tips and Maintenance By Hannah L.

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One of the things RV owners often have the most questions about is hitching and towing their trailer. Understanding how the towing equipment and features work, as well as using proven techniques will help lead to stress free travels. Here are some of the basics for towing your trailer:

Hitching and Towing

The first thing you need to know is the type of hitch receiver your vehicle has. Hitch receivers are categorized in classes with the smallest light duty receivers in Class I and the largest and strongest in Class V.

Each hitch class and it’s characteristics:

Class I: Weight carrying 2,000 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 200 pounds.

Class II: Weight carrying 3,500 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 300 pounds.

Class III: Weight carrying 6,000 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 600 pounds. Weight distributing 10,000 pounds and maximum hitch weight 1,000 pounds.

Class IV: Weight carrying 10,000 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 1,000 pounds. Weight distributing 14,000 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 1,400 pounds.

Class V: Weight carrying 12,000 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 1,200 pounds. Weight distributing 17,000 pounds. Maximum hitch weight 1,700 pounds.

Tips to make towing more stress free

  • Greasy Is Easy: Grease the hitch ball to go into the coupler more smoothly. Grease designed for hitch balls is available at most auto parts and RV supply stores.
  • Double Check the Hitch Ball: Don’t assume the hitch ball is in the coupler. When the coupler slides into place it should make a satisfying clunk sound. Make sure the coupler is securely locked into place.
  • Safety First: Have a friend or significant other verify all the brake lights and turn signals are working on your tow vehicle. It may seem like an extra step to take, but it is better to found out that something isn’t working before you leave for a long road trip.
  • Use your side mirrors: Get in the habit of checking your side mirrors constantly. They’ll help you stay in your lane and keep an eye out for if the trailer is swaying.
  • Make your turns extra wide: Any time you turn with your towable vehicle you will need to leave room to swing wide when you turn. Don’t forget to use your mirrors!
  • The Wheel: Turn the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear of the trailer to go.

Like any new activity, towing gets easier the more practice you have. Especially once you understand the equipment. We hope you are enjoyed this article about towing your trailer. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more RV tips and tricks.