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Using Your RV : Driving or towing

 




More about towing:
- Guide to Dinghy Towing
- Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing Video



Planning ahead to stay out of trouble
Got a new RV? With that new size comes a new need: Planning ahead with an exit strategy. We don't mean getting out of the RV lifestyle, but rather, planning ahead to get your RV out of places you might otherwise get stuck in.


Use the GOAL method to back up your RV
For many new RVers, the greatest challenge of the new lifestyle is that of backing up the rig. Even experienced RVers can tell you that backing into the campsite is perhaps the most stressful part of the entire trip. With the GOAL method, things can be a bit easier.


New RVer asks: What fifth wheel hitch position for tow?
Sliding fifth wheel hitch systems have a tow position and a maneuver position. Can you safely tow in the maneuver position?


New RVer asks: What about cruise control and overdrive when towing?
When towing a travel trailer, can you use the cruise control? What about an overdrive transmission? These are questions that can puzzle new RVers--and even some veterans.


Urban RV driving tips
Some of the most white-knuckle experiences that new RVers can have is negotiating urban traffic in an RV. Traffic is heavy, streets narrow, and things just seem so overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you make navigating city streets easier on the nerves.


Controlling RV trailer sway
One of the most unnerving experiences that can happen for a new RVer--and even for old hands--is trailer sway. The trailer begins to fishtail back and forth and the tow vehicle responds in a similar way. If not controlled trailer sway can actually cause an accident. How can you control or eliminate trailer sway?


New RVer asks: Just what does a "grade" sign mean?
Get out of the flat country and hit the hills, sooner or later you'll find a sign warning of a "steep grade," often associated with a percentage number. Road grades seem mysterious at first, but really are simple.


New RVer asks: How do I plan day's end?
A family man finally has his new RV and the first big road trip is coming up. "How do you decide," he asks, "where to stop for the night? And how do you go about doing it?" He thinks it should be a simple thing to do, but the stress is killing him.


Speed up? Slow down? What's safe for RVing?
One RVer who prides himself on safe driving, had an unforgettable experience with a California Highway Patrol officer. Pulling a 28' fifth wheel, the RVer who hasn't had a traffic ticket in years, was pulled over and 'read the riot act' by the officer for driving too slowly on a two-lane stretch of northern Cal highway. What's better--faster than the limit? Slower than the limit? At the limit?


Using hazard flashers
In the hill country out west it’s not uncommon to find 18-wheelers the hard climb with ‘warning flashers a'blazin. To most RV folks it just makes sense. After all, crawling up a steep grade and traveling far less than “freeway speed,” giving a bit of a warning to the folks coming up from behind is no more than sensible. What about RVers?


New RVer asks: Should I carry water in my tank when traveling?
Carry water in your RV tanks? Drive "empty"? It's a perennial question that we aim to answer.


RVs and summer storms
Summer is a great time for the new RVer to get out on the road. There are plenty of places to explore and activities to pursue. The longer daylight hours allow more miles to be covered. But summertime also brings its own brand of weather. Summer storms can pop up without warning--and even experienced RVers know, summer storms can spell trouble.


New RVer asks: What happened to my fuel economy?
New RVer buys lightweight trailer. Fuel economy plummets from 16 to 10 miles per gallon. What happened?


Driving your RV part 5: Backing up your RV
For new RVers, backing up the RV may be one of the most fearful of all of the "new" things to learn. After driving a car, an RV can look fearfully large. Backing up a rig, even a trailer, is something that most RVers get the hang of with practice.


Driving your RV part 4: Making turns with a trailer
Every type of RV has a different way of handling turns. Motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels: All have their own peculiarities. Here are some tips on learning to take your turns safely.


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