Take the following information into consideration to help assure safety and to reduce sway when towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel.

Select your towing equipment carefully. Determine the Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight of the towable. Gross Trailer Weight is the accumulated weight of the towable when fully loaded. Tongue Weight is the downward force placed onto the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. Confirm that the towing vehicle you intend to use is adequately rated for the travel trailer or fifth wheel load.

Towing vehicle components should be in good working order at all times to assure proper operation. Routinely inspect the towing vehicle tires, suspension, shock absorbers, brakes and bearings. Use only a hitch that has been professionally installed. When properly connected, the trailer and the towing vehicle should sit level. Keep the ball lightly greased to allow the hitch to rotate. Light connectors are susceptible to corrosion. Keep the connector clear of debris. Use care when cleaning the connector to prevent the wiring from shorting out.

To connect the towing vehicle to the travel trailer or fifth wheel, back the towing vehicle hitch ball as closely as possible to the trailer coupler. Before lowering the hitch, make sure the jack is fully raised. Once the hitch is seated, perform a visual inspection to confirm the ball clamp is below the ball and not riding on top of it. Connect safety cables and chains. Crisscross cables and chains to form a cradle under the trailer hitch, leaving them slack enough for tight turns. Connect wiring harness for the lights.

Keep in mind that modifications to the towable, or after market additions, will change the manufacturer’s listed Gross Trailer Weight. Weigh the towable before each trip to determine proper tire air pressures. Weigh scales for travel trailers and fifth wheels can usually be accessed for a minimal fee at large truck centers. Use a quality tire gauge to check tire pressures when tires are cold. Never add air to a hot tire.

Before each trip, inspect the towing vehicle. Examine coolant and oil levels, braking operation, wear of belts and hoses, tire tread and inflation, and fluid level of the windshield washer reservoir. Inspect the travel trailer or fifth wheel to assure that the load is balanced and secure, driving lights and signals are functioning, tire pressure and tread wear is acceptable, safety chains and cables are properly fastened, load is evenly distributed and the towable is level when attached to the towing vehicle.

Cargo load of the travel trailer or fifth wheel is a matter of importance. Carefully stay within the guidelines of the manufacturer’s listed load limits. To prevent problems due to excess weight, always load the towable below the maximum allowable weight. Keep in mind that numerous small items can quickly outweigh one heavy piece of cargo. Assure that top-heavy items are secured for travel in the event of quick stops or sudden turns. Never move the load to the rear of the towable to compensate for excess weight or an inferior towing vehicle and risk compromising braking effectiveness.

Evenly distribute and balance cargo. Proper weight distribution of the cargo, along with adequate rating of the towing vehicle and hitch, are necessary to assure proper braking techniques and to reduce sway. Slight trailer sway can occur from wind gusts, or while passing large vehicles when driving down a highway. You can minimize sway by pulling the travel trailer or fifth wheel with a suitable sized towing vehicle. Routinely have the suspension system of the towing vehicle inspected for suitable operation.

Practice safe driving habits. Avoid the need for sudden lane changes by leaving ample room between you and the vehicle ahead. If sudden sway occurs while driving down the road, ease up on the accelerator. In the event of an unexpected loss of control of the vehicle while driving, keep the vehicles in as straight a line as possible while coming to a rolling stop. Avoid applying the brakes until both vehicles are in line with all wheels pointing forward. Slow down for dips and bumps in the road to avoid putting sudden increased weight on the hitch, axles and tires.

Perform a walk around inspection of the towing vehicle and the towable at each stop. Examine tires and check wheel bearings for temperature. Excess heat on a wheel bearing may indicate problems with the bearings or with excess vehicle weight that should be promptly repaired before continuing.

When descending a steep grade, use the engine and lower gears on the towing vehicle to control speed. Avoid riding the brakes which can quickly overheat, reduce effectiveness, and in some instances of excess grade, burn out.

Assure that the towable and the towing vehicle are properly insured. Under no circumstance should anyone be allowed to ride inside of the travel trailer or the fifth wheel while it is traveling down the road. If you purchase a used travel trailer or fifth wheel, invest in a new set of tires before taking the towable on a road trip. In that way, you can be confident that you know the history of the tires.