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Apr 27, 2022

7 min. read

When you’re ready to get hitched, follow these tips for safer towing this road-trip season

As road trip season approaches, many Manitobans are dusting off their RVs and cleaning their boats for summer trips. Whether you plan to tow a camping trailer, watercraft or even a car behind your RV, here are some tips to keep you safe on the road.

The right combo

All vehicles are rated to tow up to a certain weight, but more power doesn’t always mean better towing. Aerodynamic camping trailers and boats cut through the air better than boxy designs, which puts less strain on the tow vehicle. “You can downshift to climb a mountain, but you can’t cross the Prairies in second gear at 4,000 rpm,” says towing expert Andy Thomson of Can-Am RV Towing.

Stability matters

A good hitch setup puts the ball close to the rear of the tow vehicle. In general, the further it is from the rear axle, the less stable the combination will be as the trailer exerts more side-to-side leverage. This is the reason why vehicles with shorter rear overhangs tend to tow well, and why a fifth-wheel—with its pivot point over the rear axle—provides very good stability.

Weight distribution

The configuration of the ball mount and hitch also impacts the effectiveness of a weight distribution system, which is designed to transfer weight from the trailer to the vehicle axles. “If the rear of the tow vehicle sits too low,” Thomson explains. “It’s more likely the ball mount is not configured properly—rather than it being a problem with the vehicle springs.”

Trailer maintenance

Ensure the trailer itself is in good shape before you leave. Tires should be correctly inflated on both the tow vehicle and trailer. Check the trailer’s brakes, too. For electric brakes, roll forward slowly and activate the brake control on the dash to see if it stops the vehicle. For boat trailer-style surge brakes, backup uphill (on a driveway for example) to see if the brakes engage.

Towing a car

If you plan to tow a vehicle behind your RV, first check that the car is suitable for flat towing. And always use the correct base-plate kit for the vehicle in question to secure it to the tow bar. Heavier cars will also need a supplemental braking system. Never back up when the car being towed is connected because it’s surprisingly easy to bend or damage the tow bar.

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