10 Tips for Safe Travel Trailer Towing

by | Apr 22, 2020 | Articles, Caravan/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension, CMB, Health & Safety, Roll

by Collyn Rivers

Safe Travel Trailer Towing

Here are 10 tips for safe towing: travel trailers and their tow vehicles have much the same accident rates as other forms of motor transport, their main type of accident, jack-knifing, however, is different.

Tip One for safe towing: limit speed

Never tow above 100 km/h (especially if overtaking). Driving too fast is by far the major cause of caravan-related accidents.

Tip Two: do not exceed maximum legal weight

Never load a tow vehicle or trailer above the maximum weight limits stipulated by the manufacturers. Doing so is illegal, dangerous and will invalidate your insurance. Knowing the weight of your tow vehicle and trailer is as important as carrying your passport overseas.
Safe Travel Trailer Towing

Overtake whilst towing with great care. Pic: AL-KO

Tip Three: correct weight ratio

Ideally, a laden trailer’s weight should exceed a laden tow vehicle’s weight (ideally only 80%). If you follow this recommendation, in RV Book’s opinion, you will have no need for a Weight Distributing Hitch. The use of such a hitch is advisable if the travel trailer‘s laden weight exceeds the tow vehicle’s laden weight, but that vehicle’s ‘cornering power’ is then inherently reduced.

Tip Four: adequate tow ball mass

It is essential to have your trailer’s front end heavier than its rear. For camper trailers, not less than 5% of the trailer’s laden weight should be on the tow ball. For Australian travel trailers the percentage should be 8% to 10% (the longer and heavier the travel trailer, the higher the percentage needed). UK/EU-made travel trailers are by and large much lighter – they need 6% – 7%. This mass must remain reasonably constant. It should not vary as water tank content varies.

Towing stability is since proven to relate to tow ball mass. The lower the trailer’s percentage of its weight on the tow ball, the lower the stability. Furthermore, the lower that tow ball mass, the lower the so-called critical speed. The critical speed is that above which a strongly snaking travel trailer cannot be driver corrected.

Any heavy trailer longer than about 5 metres with less than 7% tow ball mass is (in RV Books’ opinion) an accident waiting an opportunity to happen. Its critical speed may be as low as 50-70 km/h. Find out more about critical speed here

Tip Five: Correct weight distribution

  • Heavy items in a trailer should be stowed low down and close to the axle(s).
  • Store only store lighter items higher up and away from the axle(s).
  • Never store heavy items at the front or rear of the trailer.

Tip Six: limiting height

Keep everything as low as feasible across your entire rig consistent with adequate ground clearance. The lowest part of a rig is usually the tow vehicle’s differential housing/s or exhaust.

Tip Seven: tow vehicle choice

Choose a tow vehicle that has:

  • A maximum towing capacity greater than the laden weight of your trailer
  • An adequate maximum tow ball allowance for your trailer
  • Has the longest possible wheelbase (i.e. distance between its front and rear axle/s)
  • Has the shortest possible distance from rear axle to tow ball
  • Find out more about choosing the right tow vehicle here.

Tip Eight: trailer choice

Choose a trailer that:

  • Is as light as possible
  • Is as short as possible
  • Has the longest possible distance between the tow ball and its centre of mass. Extended A-frames help, but at the expense of increased turning circles.

Tip Nine: tyres

Use ‘Light Truck’ tyres to assist trailer and tow vehicle handling. Their stiffer sidewalls enable them to carry their maximum weight at all times, and they are better able to resist yaw and snaking. They are a little noisier and have a slightly harder ride compared to normal tyres, but safety is more important.

Never increase the tow vehicle’s front tyre pressure for towing. Always increase the tow vehicle’s rear tyre pressure by 50-70 kPa (7-10 psi) whilst towing. In borderline cases simply using these pressures eliminates the need for a WDH.

Tip Ten: Why Caravans Roll Over – and how to prevent it

Our book –Why Caravans Roll Over – and how to prevent  it explains just how and why travel trailers roll over. It has many pages that advise how you can reduce the risk.

An invaluable feature is a Question & Answer section that enables you to assess your own rig’s likely stability. It shows how to remedy the failings.

Collyn Rivers is a semi-retired automobile research engineer.  He is the author of seven books, five of which are about making RVs and solar work optimally.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and travel trailer stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and travel trailer stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1