Getting ready for your next camping excursion can sometimes be a little stressful, even for seasoned RVers. In order to help reduce the stress and make sure important tasks do not get overlooked, it’s often good to have a checklist you can quickly and easily refer to – and one of your most important checklists will include the steps to consider for towing your camper.
Several types of RVs need to be towed, including new travel trailers, toy haulers, pop up campers, and fifth wheel campers. Towing is important to get right, as improper towing could lead to serious accidents on the road, endangering both life and property, including you, your passengers, your towing vehicle and camper, and others on the road. Plus, proper towing simply leads to a smoother travel experience!
When using a towing checklist, don’t be afraid to make it your own! Modify the list as needed for your specific situation, adding items unique to your RV and removing less relevant tasks. Once your list is finalized, share it with everyone involved with prepping the RV via a shared online doc, or print the list so it’s directly accessible right in your pocket.
“This is not the time to take shortcuts,” says Meredyth Mustafa-Julock, who has been on the road with her wife full-time for more than a year. “Plan for extra time to double check everything, the chains, the brake controller, the tire pressure—even if you think they are ok. If something feels off in your gut, force yourself to stop and think and examine what it might be. Don’t brush off any feelings of questioning or doubt when preparing to tow or towing.”
To make sure you’re on top of the essentials, RVT is here to help with your complete camper towing checklist.
NOTE: Since there are a variety of combinations between camper types and tow-vehicles, this guide is meant to be informative on some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to towing a camper. It is not meant to be specific for any single combination.
For further information on your particular hookup, please refer to the towing information in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the towing instructions for your trailer. If you have specific questions, or need towing accessories, please reach out to your local dealer.
Making Connections
The hitch check is one of the most important steps in the process. Make sure your new toy hauler or other trailer is solidly locked into place over the hitch, then attach safety chains, sway bars (if applicable), breakaway cable, and hook up the electrical connection.
Be sure to check the electrical system by turning on the lights of your tow-vehicle and making sure the running lights are working on the trailer as well. Also test the turn signals, brake lights, and emergency flasher to make sure all electrical connections are properly set and functioning, and make sure your tow-vehicle’s rear-view mirrors are properly aimed.
Ready To Launch?
Before you hit the road, you’ll want to do a full walkaround of the inside and outside of your trailer.
Outside:
- Make sure all water and waste tanks are emptied.
- Be sure that all hoses and power cords are accounted for and secured.
- Raise up the jacks if you have any.
- Make sure all chocks and leveling blocks are accounted for and secured.
- Check all storage bays to make sure they are securely locked.
- Make sure the trailer awning is completely rolled up and locked into place.
- Check the tire pressure on the trailer and the tow-vehicle.
Inside:
- Make sure that everything is properly stowed away and that all cabinets are securely latched.
- Close and latch all windows and vents.
- Lower the TV antenna or satellite dish if you have one.
- If you have glass items in the refrigerator that you fear might roll around and break during transport, pack a towel in the refrigerator to hold all items in place, then securely secure the refrigerator door.
- Make sure any trailer slide-outs are pulled in and secured.
- Close all the bedroom and bathroom doors and make sure they are securely latched. If anything does slip out of place during your travels, you’ll want to try to contain it to as small an area as possible.
- Make sure all lights inside the trailer are turned off.
- Lock the door and slide your RV steps into a secured position.
Before leaving on a trip, you may also want to check the propane level to make sure if you need to fill tanks before you leave. It’s also a good idea to have your tow-vehicle inspected to make sure all fluid levels are topped off, that the wiper blades are operating as intended, that the brake pads look good, etc.
On The Road
Keep an eye on gauges while on the road with your pop-up camper or other RV. Overworking the tow-vehicle’s engine can create a cascade of problems that can leave you stranded on the side of the road. Take it easy with the speed and keep note of how the trailer is performing while in-tow.
“Don’t drive more than 55 mph, even if your rig can handle it,” says Mustafa-Julock. “We have seen too many unfortunate instances where people chose to drive faster, resulting in disaster, all for the possibility of getting somewhere a few minutes faster. I know this sounds preachy, but it’s great to arrive safely and not injure anyone else on the road while traveling, not to mention no damage to your vehicle or rig (in our case, our home). This also fits with not pushing limits while driving in difficult terrain or traffic. Patience is key.”
If you notice the trailer is pulling slightly to either side, it could be a matter of weight being unevenly distributed in the unit. Also, check your tires periodically when you stop to make sure there is no sign of odd wear patterns. That could also be a sign that you need to adjust the weight distribution of items in the trailer.
If you have any questions about trailers, hitches, weight distribution bars, or more, your local dealer is always a great resource to answer your questions and make sure you’re operating safely. And, if you’re shopping for a towable camper, browse the new and used inventory for sale on RVT.com.
By Barrett Baker