Safety First: Prioritizing Towing Protection
Safety is the number one priority When towing a trailer or RV. After all, you don’t want an accident to occur that could potentially injure yourself or others. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the safety tips and precautions to take when pulling a trailer or RV. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the specific things you need to look for when towing a trailer or RV. We’ll also highlight the safety features offered by Oliver Travel Trailers. Let’s get started!
Essential Pre-Trip Inspections
Check Tires and Inflation
The first tip is to check the tires on your RV or travel trailer and ensure they are inflated correctly; this is important because if your tires are not properly inflated, it could cause an accident. It’s also important to check the tire pressure regularly to be safe.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Ensure any maintenance to the vehicle you’re towing or the trailer itself is done on time, every time. Check the oil level, filters, brake pads, coolant, fluids, etc. If something isn’t working correctly, it could cause an accident. As Trailer Safety Week recommends, “Regular trailer maintenance is critical to ensuring the longevity of your trailer, as well as ensuring you can tow to your destination safely. Before towing, ensure your trailer and its many components are in safe working order. Worn or broken trailer parts can cause loss of control, and injury may result. You must regularly inspect, maintain, and service your trailer to ensure safe and reliable operation.”
Balance and Load Weight Properly
Another safety tip when towing a trailer or RV is to pack the weight in the trailer correctly. 60% of the trailer’s load should be placed over the front half of the trailer, and you want to make sure not to overload the trailer so that the vehicle that is towing could potentially overcorrect. It would help if you ensured that the trailer is not overloaded and the weight is balanced correctly.
Know Your Driving Limits
It’s also important to stay within your limits as a driver. If you’re uncomfortable driving in certain conditions, don’t do it. For example, if you’re not comfortable driving in the rain, don’t tow a trailer or RV. Only do something you feel safe doing, especially when it’s more than just your own life at risk; there are others with you, and even more so, other drivers on the road.
Verify All Lights
Checking your lights on the front and rear of the trailer and your vehicle is essential, too. You want to ensure the brake lights and turn signals are working; this is important so that other drivers know what you’re doing and can react accordingly.
Inspect Brakes Thoroughly
You must ensure you’re checking your breaks and having them inspected by a professional regularly. This includes any braking system on the trailers themselves, not just the vehicle; this is important because if your brakes fail, it could cause an accident.
Secure Hitch and Ball
It’s also important to check the hitch and ball you’re using to tow the trailer or RV. You want to make sure that they are properly secured and tightened so that they won’t come loose while you’re driving. Incorrectly sized ball hitches are the #1 cause of most trailer/RV accidents. Make sure you work with your dealer or rep to ensure that you have the correct size and towing capacity.
Attach Safety Chains Correctly
Safety chains connecting the trailer to your vehicle are also essential. You want to ensure they are correctly secured and of the correct size; this is important because if the trailer came loose from your vehicle, the safety chains would prevent it from hitting another car or causing an accident.
Install Towing Mirrors
Having proper towing mirrors is also a must. You need to be able to see behind you when you’re driving, and having the appropriate towing mirrors will allow you to do that. Most accidents happen because people cannot see what’s happening behind them while driving; this makes sure to help lessen your blind spots and allow you to see more than you usually would with the vehicle installed setup.
Pack Wheel Chocks
You need to make sure you bring along wheelchocks. These help keep the vehicle/trailer/RV in place when officially parked; this is important because if the trailer moves while you’re not in it, it could cause an accident.
Limit Roadside Stops
If you need to pull off the roadside, ensure you’re only there for a short time. It’s also a safety hazard and can cause an accident. If you’re stopping for an extended period, it’s best to find a safe place to park off the side of the road.
Prepare a Backup Plan
Last but not least, always have a plan B; this is important because even if you think you’ve done everything right, sometimes things out of your control happen. If something does happen, it’s essential to have a backup plan so that you can safely get to your destination.
Wrapping Up: Safe Towing Essentials
These are some safety tips to remember when pulling a trailer or RV. These tips will help keep you safe while pulling a trailer or RV. You can count on quality and luxury with our Legacy lineup. The Oliver Legacy Elite is one of our popular towable small travel trailers. The single axle camper is 18′ 5″ long, with a double-hulled fiberglass shell ready for all four seasons. The Legacy Elite is available in the standard floor plan with a 74″ x 52″ bed and a full bathroom that includes a toilet, vanity, and shower.
Explore Oliver Legacy Elite
Count on quality with our Legacy lineup. The Oliver Legacy Elite is a popular 18’5″ single-axle camper with double-hulled fiberglass for all seasons. Standard floor plan includes 74″ x 52″ bed and full bathroom (toilet, vanity, shower).
Olivers feature standards and options for personalization. Optional upgrades enhance camping.
Standard Features
- Double Hulled Fiberglass Shell
- Precision Crafted Interior Molded Fiberglass
- Monitoring System for Water Tanks and Batteries
- Bathroom with Molded Vanity and Toilet
- 10′ Retractable Awning
- Dining Table and Side Dinette
For more on safe towing, visit Oliver Travel Trailers’ website or call us. We’re here for safe, enjoyable trips.