Tips to Safely Tow an RV with a 4WD Vehicle
If you own a 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, you can use it to tow your RV to your favorite campsites. 4WD vehicles are ideal for navigating off-road destinations, slippery grass, and icy roads. If you’re looking for a few tips to safely tow your camper with a 4WD vehicle, here’s a handy guide crafted by the experts at The Outpost RV. Keep reading to learn more, then visit us at our dealership in Middlebury, IN, to look at our collection of RVs for sale. We proudly serve all those from Kalamazoo, MI.
Restrained Braking
When you’re hauling an RV with your 4x4 vehicle, you’ll want to minimize the use of your braking system. This will prevent a jack-knife situation where the rear axle of your 4WD vehicle locks up and skids sideways, slamming against your RV.
If you must apply brakes, do so when your towing vehicle and RV are in a straight line. You’ll want to plan before you apply the brakes so you can control the alignment properly. Being vigilant of traffic conditions ahead of you will be helpful. Most new campers come with electric brakes that let you adjust the brake application timing. If it’s not available with your model, you can ask our service experts to help you.
Practice Defensive Driving
When you’re hauling your RV with your 4WD vehicle, you must remember to practice defensive driving techniques. This will help you avoid risks, such as unnecessary overtaking and sudden lane changes. You must also give yourself plenty of time to appropriately plan and take a turn after signaling well in advance. You’ll want to drive smoothly, maintain a steady speed, and avoid braking and hard acceleration.
When you’re on off-road trails, you’ll want to slowly build up the speed to avoid letting the tires lose their grip on the ground. Avoid slippery patches and stick to moderate driving conditions.
Reversing
To become a pro at reversing an RV while it’s hitched to your 4WD vehicle, you’ll need to practice regularly. Seek the help of a friend while you practice your reversing skills and let them watch over you and alert you if you need to apply the brakes. Utilize a vacant parking lot or an open area in your neighborhood for practicing.
Use the side mirrors on your 4WD vehicle while reversing. They will provide you a much clearer view than your rear-view mirror. Also, don't forget that the camper will move in the opposite direction of where you’ll direct the steering wheel of your towing vehicle. So, if you want your rig to turn to the right side, you’ll want to move your 4WD vehicle’s steering wheel to the left and vice versa.
Visit The Outpost RV in Middlebury, IN, where we have a wide selection of RVs for sale. We can show you our latest collection and help you pick a model that’s right for you. We’re happy to welcome our friends from Kalamazoo, MI, so stop by today.