Trailer and RV Travel Tips for Traveling with a Trailer When traveling with a trailer, take some extra time to plan and prepare to ensure yourself a smoother, safer trip. The first thing to do is to check that your tow vehicle trailer, and all related equipment comply with the towing and RV road laws of each U.S. state/Canadian province you will be traveling through. A chart included in this insert provides a summary of each state’s province’s towing regulations including height, width, and weight restrictions. For a more comprehensive overview, refer to the motor vehicle laws posted online for state/provinces. Preparation Your tow vehicle should be prepared to handle the weight of a trailer: • Check the rear springs. They should be strong enough to maintain the vehicle at a nearly level position. • Check the shock absorbers. • Check the wheel alignment. • Check the tires. Adding some air to the rear tires can be helpful. (Usually no more than 4 or 5 pounds and NOT exceeding the manufacturer’s specifications). Packing and Loading Load your tow vehicle and trailer for optimum road stability: • To help the tow vehicle absorb the weight of the trailer, do not put heavy items in the trunk or back seat. • When packing the trailer, load about 60 percent of the weight toward the front and 40 percent toward the rear. • Place heaviest items nearest to the floor to create a low center of gravity. Trailer designs typically allow for proper, balanced packing with cabinet doors and drawers that stay closed during transit. For added safety and stability: • Pack cabinets, drawers, stowage compartments so contents cannot slide. • Pack items so that they brace each other in place. • Lash large articles, such as bicycles, tightly to outside carriers. Laying them inside unsecured can cause havoc during sharp swerves or sudden halts. Warning! Never carry extra gasoline in any type of container. Fume build-up or accident impact can cause lethal combustion. Tow Vehicle and Trailer Inspection Before you set out on the road, give your tow vehicle and your trailer a thorough inspection. Pay particular attention to: • The hitch • The tires on both vehicles • Safety chains • The load • The ability of both vehicles to remain level If applicable to your trailer: • Check the independent braking system • Check the water, electrical, and LP gas systems Repeat this visual inspection at each stop along your route. If you hear unusual noises while driving, pull well off the highway and investigate immediately. Driving With a Trailer Do not driver an unstable tow vehicle/trailer combination A swaying trailer is both tiring and hazardous High speed and downhill travel are the two main causes of instability on the road. To minimize instability: • Always obey the speed limit for towed vehicles • Anticipate downhill grades. Slow up before starting the decent and use a lower gear to keep from overworking the brakes. • Use a lower gear on uphill pulls as well to get more power at less cost to your tow vehicle. • On long grades, use the climbing lane if the road has one or pull over when the opportunity permits to let faster traffic pass. Stopping A tow vehicle/trailer combination is heavier and longer than a vehicle alone and thus requires a greater stopping distance in the city and on the open road. Passing Passing with a tow vehicle/trailer combination also requires more time and distance. Note that air suction, sometime created when a vehicle overtakes another, can cause both to lurch unexpectedly. Turning When turning corners or rounding curves, the trailer wheels do not follow the same track as the tow vehicle’s wheels. They travel considerably closer to the inside of the curve. To compensate, and to avoid running over curbs or off pavement, (a) start the turn farther to the outside of the curve or intersection and (b) farther along into the curve or intersection. Proceed deliberately and patiently. Backing up Before your trip, practice backing up with the trailer as it is very different from backing up a car. Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, then move your hand in the same direction you want the trailer to go. Move your hand left to move the trailer left. Move your hand right to move the trailer right. If you jackknife the trailer, pull forward, straighten up, and try again. Restrictions Restrictions and prohibitions exist on the transportation of liquefied petroleum in tunnels and some bridges in several states including: Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Virginia. Lastly, before you begin your trip, contact your AAA/CAA club for a routing that offers the most favorable terrain and road conditions for trailer travel. Click here to download the PDF Trailer Tow Chart