*** Attention: Current axle delivery time has decreased by Dexter to up to 6 weeks ***                                                                                                                                                                                         *** Attention: Current axle delivery time has decreased by Dexter to up to 6 weeks ***

The Art of Towing

Photo by Benjamin Zanatta

Towing is one of the most important things to consider when going RVing.A report released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2003 states that more than 70,000 people were involved in RV accidents that year. In 2012, the administration reported 75,000 injuries due to RV accidents.

To avoid accidents like these, here are a few tips to follow before you start towing your RV:

  1. Weigh distribution

    One of the most common mistakes people make is improper weight distribution.

    Weight distribution can help to prevent hazardous conditions and improve the ability of a vehicle to turn, brake and steer, particularly in the case of large loads, which can be difficult to maneuver in a safe and controlled manner. If more than 40% of the load is on the back, the vehicle loses it stability and will whip you off the road. Don’t overload the rear of the trailer.

    In order to prevent this, At least 60% of the load should be on the front of the trailer.Here is where a weight distribution hitch comes in handy. It will not only ensure a smooth and level ride, but also will allow you to tow at the maximum capacity allowed by the hitch.

    You can take a look at our weight distribution hitch parts here: https://highskyrvparts.com/rv-parts/rv-towing/weight-distributing-hitch-parts

  2. Get a quality tow vehicle
  3. Knowing the tow rating capacity of your vehicle is crucial to selecting the right RV for you and your family. On paper, most large vehicles are capable of towing but in practice, it is not always so. Towing a heavy trailer with a very short wheelbase or lightweight vehicles will cause problems.

    It’s always recommended to equip your vehicle with a tow package. There are some vehicles on the market that are equipped with a tow package that includes an integrated brake controller and limited-slip rear differential.

    To check your vehicle's tow capacity, you can use this website: https://www.exploreusa.com/tow-guides

  4. Drain your water tanks
  5. Reduce the weight of your RV by emptying water tanks. An average freshwater tank holds 20-100 gallons of fresh water and weights up to 600 pounds. So by draining your water tanks, you can ensure that you have better mileage and a smoother ride.

  6. Tire pressure
  7. Don’t inflate your tires to the maximum rated pressure. You should typically slightly under-inflate, so that you're running slightly below maximum tire pressure. This is especially important when you're in really hot environments. Ex: when you're towing across Arizona and its 103 degrees outside, you want a little room for those tires to expand when they get hot.

    When you're traveling down the highway and your tires get up to running temperature, the pressure is going to increase a bit, so if you already have them at maximum pressure when you roll out of the campground, you're going to be running above maximum pressure - this can lead to a tire burst or tire degradation.

    Always fill to a little less pressure than the rated.

  8. Always use anti-sway and stabilizer bars
  9. Buy anti-sway and stabilizer bars on day one! We highly recommended that you get them, especially if you're going to be traveling across the Midwest, where it’s nice and flat and very windy. You will notice a difference if you are towing with stabilizer bars or without.

    And use an extended tow mirror to cover blind spots.

    Remember to always stay safe on the road. Wishing everyone happy towing!

    The High Sky RV Parts Team