Camper Towing Tips

Campers open up a world of camping and travel opportunities. Everything from a cross-country trip to countless weekend getaways are at your fingertips. But before you get out on the road, it’s important to put some thought into the actual transportation process. Towing a travel trailer isn’t necessarily difficult, but the added weight, extended length, and unusual driving dynamics can take some getting used to. Not to fear: we here at Herold Trailer Sales designed this short guide to help you get familiar with the basics of camper towing so you can feel comfortable on your first trip. Stop by our dealership in Indianola, Iowa, near Des Moines, when you’re ready to take a look at some of our amazing pop up campers and truck campers!

Keep Track of Weight

It’s always tempting to want to jam as much cargo in your camper as possible just to see what you can get away with bringing. This isn’t always the best strategy. The more cargo you cram into your camper, the more weight it will be carrying and the greater the likelihood you will exceed your vehicle’s tow capacity. Every vehicle has what’s known as a gross combined weight rating, or GCWR, which is decided by the manufacturer and represents the limit of the vehicle’s capacity for towing cargo, people, and a trailer. It’s important to know your vehicle’s GCWR and to stop by a weigh station to make sure you’re in compliance.

If you’re found exceeding your vehicle’s GCWR, you could face potential fines and consequences. But in reality, you could just be setting yourself up for an accident. The GCWR is decided based on your vehicle’s chassis, engine size, braking capabilities, and other factors. When you exceed the GCWR, you increase the chances that you’ll find yourself in an uncontrollable situation.

Prepare Your Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Before you head out, you’ll want to be extra confident in all of your towing equipment. Make sure all of your wheels are properly inflated on both your tow vehicle and trailer, and then double check the tread on the tires to make sure it’s evenly worn, free of bulges or bald spots, and devoid of foreign objects. You’ll also want to make sure the mirrors on your tow vehicle give you enough visibility of your camper. If not, try to find a pair of strap-on towing mirrors. Double check your trailer hitch and wiring harness to make sure the brake lights, towing lights, and trailer brakes are all functioning. Then, take a walk around your whole towing setup and make sure nothing is out of place. Make sure all doors and windows are latched shut and secure and make sure there is no loose cargo that hasn’t been strapped down.

Practice Before You Leave

When you first take home your trailer, it’s helpful to take some time to practice driving with a camper. An empty parking lot will provide you with a relatively close replica of the circumstances you’ll find in a campground. Try to avoid all parking lines so you can get a feel for how wide you need to cut corners. Then, try to back your trailer into a space to figure out the dynamics of reversing with a trailer. Give parking a little extra attention as this is often the most challenging aspect of driving with a trailer. Then, take to the freeway and try a few miles at highway speeds. It’s helpful to do this without a fully loaded camper at first so you can feel what changing lanes, passing, and cornering feel like at speed.

Remove Distractions

Distractions are one of the biggest dangers for anyone driving, and when you’re towing, that danger only grows. Leave the navigation to your co-pilot so that you always have your hands free. While you’re at it, pass the climate controls and music selection off to your copilot too. Never eat while driving, and it’s probably best to turn your phone so you won’t be tempted to answer any calls or return text messages.

Learning to tow a camper takes a little bit of practice, but once you get used to it, the whole world of camping is yours for the taking. Here at Herold Trailer Sales, we always want our customers to be prepared for whatever comes down the road. Come visit us in Indianola, Iowa, near Des Moines, Clive, and Ankeny, Iowa, if you want to see what campers we have for sale.