| There is nothing quite like a family vacation that | | | | falling. Make sure they are properly secured to handle |
| involves hitting the highway with a camper in tow. | | | | bumps in the road ahead. |
| While this option can provide you some of the | | | | Consider braking systems carefully? Make sure the |
| greatest freedom you will ever enjoy, it does come | | | | brakes in the tow vehicle are up to the job. It is a good |
| with a price. Towing a camper safely does require a | | | | idea to have them inspected before hitting the road. It |
| special touch and attention to detail. | | | | may also be advised to have a separate braking |
| Before you head out, there are things about towing a | | | | system installed on the trailer itself. Some states will |
| camper you need to know. To avoid having your | | | | require this. |
| camper come loose and your vacation dreams go up | | | | Make sure the lights work? Every state in America |
| in smoke, be sure to follow these tips: | | | | requires trailers have operable signaling light systems. |
| Make sure you have the right vehicle for the job? | | | | This means brake lights and turn signals. If these are |
| Towing a giant camper behind a two-seat sports car | | | | not installed, make sure to have them added. Test |
| might not be the best idea. Make sure you understand | | | | them before leaving and periodically when on the road. |
| the towing capacity of the car you intend on driving | | | | Use extra precautions? While a towing hitch and bar |
| and the weight of the camper. It might be that you | | | | will generally do the job, added safety chains are not a |
| need to rent a vehicle to handle the towing or even | | | | bad idea. This is simply a second connection between |
| downsize on plans for the camper. Either way, play it | | | | the trailer and tow vehicle. |
| safe and do the towing capacity math. | | | | Get the tow vehicle fully inspected? Beyond the |
| Be certain you have the right hitch? Not all towing | | | | braking system it is a very wise idea to make sure the |
| hitches are alike. You need to know what kind of hitch | | | | tow vehicle is up to the trip. This means having fluids |
| is recommended for your camper and/or trailer and | | | | and filters checked and also inspecting tires for proper |
| have it installed. RV sales centers can generally help | | | | pressure and performance. |
| out on this front. | | | | Drive with care? Towing a camper is a lot of work for |
| Keep weight in mind when packing? It is all too | | | | the car or truck in question. Drive with extra caution |
| tempting to pack a camper to the brim before heading | | | | and be sure to leave plenty of room between yourself |
| out on vacation. While this might sound like a good idea, | | | | and vehicles in front of you. Stay within speed limits |
| it can cause problems. Keep weight distribution in mind | | | | and never forget that a car or truck towing a camper |
| and try to ensure that towing capacity is not | | | | is a great deal longer than it may appear. |
| exceeded. Also, be sure to distribute the weight inside | | | | Family vacations that involve campers give you the |
| the camper with about 60 percent in front and 40 | | | | freedom to go where you really want to. Do take the |
| percent in the rear. Better yet, only pack the essentials | | | | time to set everything up with safety in mind before |
| inside the camper to keep weights reasonable. | | | | pulling out. A few precautions can help ensure a trip |
| Secure items carefully? Any items packed into a | | | | that is safe, sound and enjoyable. |
| camper before towing are subject to shifting and even | | | | |