How to Learn to Safely Tow a 5th Wheel RV

When towing a travel trailer behind an automobile or pickup with a bumper hitch, drivers know it is there. One of the nice things about a 5th wheel RV trailer is that it tows so easily it is easily forgotten that there's a massive object behind your automobile. But there is a feeling, especially through the steering wheel (even with power steering) that drivers need to learn to recognize.

Learn to judge explicit distances

Drivers need to be taught how to judge particular distances. How far must a driver be from the curb to make a turn without ramming the side of the 5th wheel on a telephone pole. Drivers need to know if the vehicle beside them is too close so the 5th wheel's rear end will not take out its front fender. Drivers want to learn how wide a turn their towing auto must make to assure the 5th wheel trailer stays on the road across the turn. How high is the 5th wheel - including your roof-top air conditioner. Making an attempt to squeeze through a low overpass can cost thousands of dollars besides spoiling the trip.

Know the constraints of your side mirrors

Drivers need to learn how to use their side mirrors and to always be aware of what is mirrored in them. Drivers have to realize that, when the towing vehicle is not in line with the towed vehicle, the side mirrors are nearly worthless. Hence drivers need to pay attention to all possible obstructions before going into a turn - particularly if backing up.

When drivers put it in reverse

Backing up a 5th wheel is absolutely different from backing up your vehicle. Not only do drivers have to turn their steering wheel oppositely, drivers have to know when to turn it and by how much. It takes some drivers years to learn how to drive their car safely; it is going to take some time to be taught how to tow a 5th wheel safely.

Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate

Drivers need to learn how to predict movement and changes in movement of other automobiles.When driving a pickup, drivers have to take in account they will be sitting higher than they would in a car. Driving a pickup will allow drivers to see over the roof of many automobiles. Actually, drivers must be privy to the motions of the car directly in front of the automobile.

Avoiding rear enders

Getting a flasher circuit installed in a 5th wheel brake lights' wiring is a good idea. This makes the trailer's brake lights flash like a strobe for the first 8 to 10 seconds of applying the brakes. If drivers are going to slow down, press gently on the brakes to flash the brake lights to give the automobile behind you plenty of notice. Collision repairs are basically cosmetic; your vehicle will never be the same again. By the same token, a driver can not stop on a dime with all that weight. Drivers need to predict when another vehicle is going to stop in time to avoid being guilty of rear ending him.

Safe driving can enhance fuel mileage

Drivers can improve fuel mileage by 2 to 4 MPG by maintaining an even speed. With all that weight, it needs a lot of fuel to accelerate even slightly. Deceleration is just setting drivers up to waste more fuel. Try and avoid high-traffic - particularly rush hours. Pull into a rest area, take a nap or enjoy a bite to eat. When driving in traffic, leave plenty of space in front of your 5th wheel. Yes, there are always those selfish drivers who will try and squeeze into 18 feet of space with a 19 foot vehicle. Let them.

Check your weight

The first time you have your 5th wheel loaded up, weigh it, axle by axle. Most larger wagon stops have scales and will do this for drivers for a little fee. It is urgently important that your truck-trailer combo be correctly balanced and it is not surpassing the listed limits for each car. So many accidents are caused by overloading or out-of-balance loading. Each one of these accidents are preventable and many cause the loss of lives

Finding an expert instructor

Some dealers have someone that is capable of indoctrinating 5th wheel driving strategies - particularly the art of backing up. If your dealer does not - or you purchased your 5th wheel from a personal individual - there are lots of good eighteen wheel semi-truck drivers around who would be delighted to teach others for a little additional cash. $50 for this education is maybe the most smart investment you will make when you purchase a 5th wheel. Many 5th wheel drivers circle RV parks searching for a spot they can back into because there are no available pull-throughs. Do not be one of them.

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