Of the many car driving tips that might be offered, this one isn't intuitive - accelerate through curves to gain better traction. Before you start towing around your travel trailer, please make sure you know where you're going. TRAILER WEIGHT Probably the single most critical factor in trailer towing is weight, since overloading a vehicle can put you in danger by reducing braking capability.
By getting the basic setup right, then following straightforward advice over issues such as speed and safety around other vehicles, towing can be relaxed, easy and comfortable. This weight is located on a metal tag on the trailer frame and is based on the allowable weight of trailer and cargo.
Place about 60% of the weight of your cargo in front of the center load line as indicated in the trailer. Travel trailers with electrically operated brakes have a breakaway switch with a 12V battery to engage the trailer brakes in case the hitch comes off.
Braked tow rating - This relates to the maximum braked weight of the trailer the vehicle can tow. As you reverse, the trailer will tend to move slightly towards one side, in order to prevent the trailer ‘jack-knifing' always steer the car towards the bias of the trailer to bring the combination back into line.
Driving instructor, Stephen, has towed caravans for over twenty years; much of his business comes from caravanners and commercial drivers needing introductory or refresher towing courses as well as those seeking training in preparation for a B+E test.
This goes for the hitch, chains, lights, trailer brakes and anything else on your rigs, like a backup camera or some kind of proximity sensors. Sure, it's a big RV, and you have a powerful truck that's pulling it, but that doesn't mean you don't have to be careful with the weight.
Inspect hitch for cracks and rust before hooking up. The hitch will have 10% of the total trailer weight if trailer is loaded properly. If your caravan or trailer starts to sway, stay calm and avoid braking. If the trailer does start swaying and threatens to take control away from the towing vehicle do not apply the brakes.
