In this article, we give you the towing tips and safety concerns you’ll want to know before hitting the road with your trailer.
Teardrops, adventure-style campers, fifth-wheels, and toy haulers — these towable homes away from home are rising in popularity, affording road trippers safe, comfortable lodging.
According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), over 46 million Americans planned on taking an RV trip in 2021, with numbers on the rise. The study says those with the greatest interest in such trips are 18-34-year-olds.
That means there are a lot of first-time RVers hitting the road with little or no towing experience, whether with a camper they just purchased or a rental.
Towing Safety 101: Trailer Towing Concerns
Safely towing a trailer requires ensuring that the tow vehicle and trailer are compatible. That’s where “tow ratings” come in. Towing something too heavy or above the factory towing capacity for the vehicle puts the driver and passengers at higher risk of an accident.
The extra weight of the trailer pushing down on the hitch can overwhelm the steering and braking of the tow vehicle, especially when maneuvering for an emergency lane change, cornering at highway speeds, or handling sudden side gusts from passing big rigs.
A trailer that’s above the tow vehicle’s factory towing capacity may also damage the transmission, brakes, axles, and other drivetrain components, and can strain the vehicle’s cooling system.
Therefore, it’s very important for anyone planning to hitch a trailer of any type to understand the basics of tow ratings and towing safely. The last thing anyone wants is their road trip to turn into a trip from hell because of tow vehicle or trailer-related issues.