Towing a car or a trailer behind your RV is a great way to add more living and/or storage space. This is especially important to those who live in their RVs since it gives them more comfort and enough space for their belongings.
While towing is usually related to causing some damage to RV, there are many ways to reduce and even prevent it. Knowing how to tow without consequences is great because you’ll enjoy all the benefits of having an additional vehicle and storage space on the road.
Watch Out for the Weather
If you’re planning to go camping with your RV but the weather forecast says there will be lots of rain or strong winds, it’s best to leave your car or trailer at home. Heavy rains and strong winds make towing more difficult and you don’t want another vehicle to take care of while traveling.
Replace Conventional Oil with Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil is better for vehicles than the conventional one because it’s refined and distilled, which prevents impurities from building up and causing damage to the engine. Having “healthier” engine oil is much better when towing since it protects your engine and makes the towing seamless.
Go for Flat Towing or Trailer Towing
The type of towing also affects the towing experience. For the best towing experience, you should go for either flat towing or trailer towing.
Flat towing is a great option because the toad is towed on all 4 wheels, which makes the towing much easier. It also saves you on gas mileage and has little to no effect on your RV’s wear and tear. Plus, you can easily unhitch the toad from your RV when you want.
On the other hand, trailer towing prevents RV wear and tear, gas mileage, and transmission damage because the toad is completely off the ground.
Maintain the Right Tire Pressure
Another thing to take care of is the tire pressure of your RV. If the tires aren’t properly inflated, there will be a negative effect on the engine, transmission, and steering system. So, make sure your RV’s tires are properly inflated to minimize the towing effect on them.
Consider the Toad’s Weight
Toad’s weight plays a big role in towing and its effect on RV’s wear and tear. To prevent or, at least, reduce this effect, you need to check the RV manufacturer’s manual for the recommended towing weight. Make sure you follow the recommended weight for the best towing experience.
Purchase Heavy-Duty Shock Absorbers
High-quality heavy-duty shock absorbers will prevent your RV from drooping while towing the second vehicle. This will keep your RV stable, minimize the vertical movement while driving, and optimize the engine’s energy spending.
Don’t Overdrive
You may feel tempted to overdrive to reduce fuel expenditure and RV damage. But, overdriving will cause more damage to the transmission than regular driving. So, stick to “normal” driving and enjoy your travel.
Final Words
Apart from following the abovementioned suggestions, you should also ensure your RV is prepared for towing the right way. This includes proper wiring of the brake lights and turn signals, a braking system, a weight-distribution hitch, and an anti-sway bar. All these accessories and practices will minimize your RV’s wear and tear.