For adventurous travelers looking to open new avenues of freedom, a travel trailer is one of the most versatile and affordable options on the market. These unpowered recreational vehicles, designed to operate as attachments to cars or trucks, are among the most popular options for short-term getaways and for those not ready to commit to the expense or responsibility of a motorized RV. A travel trailer combines the comfort and adaptability of a drivable RV while boasting easier storage, greater fuel economy, and enhanced maneuverability both on and off the road.
Before you can begin your adventures, however, you’ll need to make sure your vehicle meets the requirements for towing a travel trailer. It’s important to consider the following features and adaptations your vehicle needs to tow safely and effectively. We’ll also help you select the perfect trailer for your vehicle so you can ensure you have the best possible setup for all your travel needs.
Towing Capacity
Towing capacity refers to the maximum weight a vehicle is capable of pulling, and this amount can differ greatly from vehicle to vehicle. To learn the maximum amount your car is capable of towing, check the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door frame. These stickers usually have the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle printed on them. If your vehicle doesn’t have this sticker, or if the sticker doesn’t have the information you need, then you can also find out by performing a search of the VIN number, which can be found embossed on the dashboard of your car or truck.
Once you’ve determined the towing capacity of your vehicle, you can compare it to the weight of the travel trailer you are thinking about purchasing. Most trailers have a built-in capacity plate that includes the weight of the vehicle. Note, however, that this is dry weight, meaning the weight of the trailer without any fuel, fluids, or other loads. You will have to anticipate the fact that the trailer will weigh more when it’s laden with all the supplies you’ll need for your adventure. If your trailer’s weight is within the limits of the vehicle’s towing capacity, then it can be effectively towed without the risk of damaging your car or truck.
Hitch Types
The next crucial element for towing a travel trailer is the hitch. This is the part that connects your trailer to your vehicle, and it must also be rated to support the weight it will carry. If your trailer hitch has a lower capacity than the vehicle itself, then you won’t be able to safely tow a heavier trailer.
The most common hitch type is the receiver hitch, which consists of a ball hitch—measured by diameter—connected to the trailer and then attached to a receiver on your vehicle. This hitch type has five different classes, each with a different towing capacity. Lighter loads require a lower class of hitch, such as I or II. These are only rated for a few thousand pounds. The heaviest loads require a higher level, such as IV or V, which can safely haul weights as high as 20,000 pounds.
The weight of a travel trailer can vary depending on its size, although most are fairly heavy, weighing as much as 8,000 pounds or more. These will usually require a hitch class in the middle range: most commonly a III or IV.
While a receiver hitch is the most common method of connecting a travel trailer to a vehicle, other hitch types may provide benefits that they do not. For example, a fifth-wheel hitch is a great way to provide enhanced stability, while a gooseneck hitch offers a greater turning radius, allowing greater maneuverability on the road.
Brake Controllers
While your travel trailer is connected to your vehicle, the two of them must act as one to be able to operate safely. This means that when you apply the brakes in the vehicle, the brakes in the trailer must also activate. If this does not occur, then the momentum of the trailer may continue when the car or truck stops, potentially pushing your vehicle forward as it does. This can be avoided with brake controllers, which create an electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer that provides synchronization between the two sets of brakes.
Like the other vehicle requirements for towing, there are different types of brake controllers with different ratings. There are also different methods of applying brakes to the trailer, with the most common being tri-axis inertia, which can detect when your vehicle is slowing down and slow your trailer down concurrently. Ensure you choose a brake controller that is correctly rated for the size and weight of your trailer.
Suspension Systems
The final thing to consider when towing a travel trailer is the suspension system. As your vehicle pulls your trailer across the road, every bump and turn along the way will translate into kinetic energy, which can damage the connection between the two. The correct suspension system can absorb this energy, protecting the trailer and ensuring a smooth and safe ride. This suspension system is attached to the rear wheels of the trailer, and once again, drivers have multiple options depending on their specific requirements.
Since travel trailers are fairly heavy, they require suspension systems that can handle the weight. Leaf spring suspensions, which use steel “leaves” to absorb shocks from the road, are excellent for the high weight of these trailers, while also being adjustable to allow drivers to raise or lower the height of the trailer as needed.If you’re in the market for a travel trailer or are interested in sourcing some of the component parts, come visit us at Albany RV. We’ll help you create a safe and effective setup so that you can begin your camping adventures.
