Truckers' Rear View: Seeing Behind A Camper While Towing

Trucks can tow campers using a variety of methods, including flat towing, tow dollies, and car haulers. The specific method used depends on factors such as the type of vehicle being towed and personal preference. To ensure safety, it is crucial to use the right towing gear and tow vehicle, as well as common sense. The weight distribution and towing capacity of both the truck and the camper play a significant role in a safe towing setup.

The right towing gear

When towing a camper, it is crucial to have the right towing gear to ensure safety and control. Here is a guide to help you select the appropriate equipment:

Trailer Hitch

The trailer hitch is a critical component that connects the camper to the towing vehicle. It is typically located on the bumper or in the bed of the tow vehicle. Hitches come in different classes, with varying weight capacities:

• Class I hitch: Found on small to midsize cars and crossovers, capable of pulling up to 2,000 pounds.
• Class II hitch: Used for large cars, crossovers, and minivans, with a capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.
• Class III hitch: Can tow more weight than a Class II hitch, providing an upgrade option.
• Class IV hitch: Commonly used on full-size vans, trucks, and SUVs, capable of pulling up to 10,000 pounds.
• Class V hitch: Exclusive to full-size trucks or SUVs specifically configured for heavy-duty towing, with a capacity of up to 20,000 pounds.

When selecting a trailer hitch, ensure it is compatible with your vehicle and the weight of the camper you intend to tow.

Electrical Connections

Electrical connections are essential for controlling the brake lights, turn signals, and license plate light on the trailer. These connections also enable the operation of electric brakes, enhancing safety. Coaches typically come equipped with 6- or 7-pin connectors near the hitch.

Tow Bars and Baseplates

If you opt for flat towing or dinghy towing (four-down towing), you will need tow bars and baseplates. This method involves towing the camper with all four tires on the road and requires specific equipment for secure towing.

Supplemental Braking System

A supplemental braking system is crucial for safety, ensuring that both the RV and the towed vehicle can be stopped effectively. This system connects the trailer's brakes electrically to the tow vehicle, allowing simultaneous activation when the brake pedal is applied.

Weight Distribution Hitch

A weight distribution hitch is a valuable addition, especially when towing heavier campers. It features spring rods that distribute the weight evenly between the truck and the trailer, improving steering and reducing sag in the back of the truck.

Safety Chains and Flags

Safety chains are essential for securing the trailer to the towing vehicle, providing an extra layer of security in case of hitch failure. Additionally, safety flags are recommended to increase visibility, especially when towing a large camper that may obstruct the view from the rear window.

Tie-Down Straps and Ratchet Buckles

To secure the camper to the towing vehicle, use tie-down straps and ratchet buckles. These help keep the trailer in place and prevent it from shifting during transport.

Lighting and Reflectors

Proper lighting and reflectors are crucial for visibility, especially when towing at night or in low-light conditions. Ensure your trailer has functioning lights, including brake lights and turn signals, and reflectors, to comply with legal requirements and enhance safety.

Trailer Jack and Replacement Parts

A trailer jack is essential for levelling and stabilizing the trailer, especially when parked. It is also important to have replacement parts readily available, such as trailer jack replacement parts, in case of any malfunctions during your journey.

Tongue Weight and Weight Distribution

Understanding tongue weight and weight distribution is vital for safe towing. Tongue weight refers to the force exerted on the trailer hitch by the load being hauled, and it can vary based on weight distribution within the trailer. Ensure the tongue weight falls within the recommended range for your trailer and hitch.

Trailer Ball and Hitch Ball Size

The trailer ball and hitch ball size must match the specifications of your trailer. Use the correct hitch ball to ensure a perfect fit, as an ill-fitting ball can lead to unsafe towing conditions.

Braking System

Assess the braking system of your trailer. Some trailers have electric brakes, which require a brake controller in the towing vehicle. Others use surge brakes, which rely on the pressure of the trailer against a hydraulic cylinder.

In conclusion, selecting the right towing gear is essential for a safe and successful journey. Always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual, weight specifications, and towing capacity to make informed decisions about the towing equipment you need.

The correct tow vehicle

When choosing the correct tow vehicle, it's important to consider the weight of the trailer you'll be towing, as well as the weight of the cargo and passengers. The right tow vehicle will be able to handle the weight of your trailer and its contents without straining the engine or compromising safety.

There are several weight ratings to consider when matching a tow vehicle to a trailer:

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): the maximum weight the trailer can handle, including passengers, cargo, and fluids.
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): the maximum weight allowed for the tow vehicle and the trailer when fully loaded.
• Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW): the weight of the trailer as it comes off the assembly line, including basic amenities and appliances.
• Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): the maximum amount of weight you can load into your trailer, calculated by subtracting the UVW from the GVWR.
• Hitch weight/tongue weight/pin weight: the amount of weight exerted on the tow vehicle's hitch ball or fifth-wheel hitch.
• Payload capacity: the amount of cargo weight your tow vehicle can hold, including passengers and cargo inside the vehicle, as well as the hitch weight of the trailer.
• Rear Axle Weight Rating (RAWR): the amount of weight the tow vehicle's rear suspension is rated to handle.

To avoid overworking your tow vehicle, it's recommended to have a towing capacity that is at least 125% of the trailer's GVWR. Additionally, the whole combination of the tow vehicle and trailer, when fully loaded, must not exceed either vehicle's GCWR. The tow vehicle's RAWR must also exceed the trailer's hitch weight, plus any cargo placed directly on the rear suspension.

When it comes to choosing a tow vehicle, SUVs and mid-size trucks are suitable for smaller trailers, like pop-up campers, teardrop trailers, and lightweight towables. For larger trailers and fifth wheels, a full-size or heavy-duty pickup truck is usually required to handle the extra weight.

• Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit: towing capacity of 7,200 lbs
• Ford F-150: towing capacity of up to 11,300 lbs
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500: towing capacity of up to 12,500 lbs
• Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup: towing capacity of 31,200 lbs
• Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD: towing capacity of up to 23,300 lbs
• Nissan Titan XD: towing capacity of 12,314 lbs

It's important to note that actual ratings may vary based on the year, make, model, engine type, trim, and optional equipment packages of the tow vehicle. Always consult the vehicle manufacturer's specifications and your local laws and regulations before finalizing your choice of a tow vehicle.

Common sense

Know Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity: Understand the towing capacity of your truck or SUV. Refer to the owner's manual or look for a sticker inside the driver's side door frame, which specifies the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This information is crucial for determining if your vehicle can handle the weight of the camper trailer.

Use the Right Hitch: Ensure you have the correct hitch for your vehicle and trailer. Hitches come in different classes with varying weight capacities. A mismatch between the hitch and the weight of the trailer can lead to dangerous situations.

Distribute Weight Properly: Improper weight distribution can cause sway, making it challenging to control the trailer. Aim for at least 60% of the weight in the front of the trailer, near the hitch. This helps maintain stability and prevents the trailer from moving back and forth across the road.

Drive at a Safe Speed: When towing a trailer, it's advisable to keep your speed under control. Driving at high speeds can increase the risk of sway and make it more difficult to handle the trailer, especially when braking or turning.

Practice Makes Perfect: If you're new to towing, take the time to practice. Familiarize yourself with the process of hooking up and unhooking the trailer. Choose an empty parking lot to gain confidence in manoeuvring and backing up with the trailer attached.

Understand the Dangers: Be aware of the potential dangers of towing. Overloading your vehicle beyond its capacity or using the wrong hitch can lead to accidents. Stay informed about the weight limits and follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe journey.

By combining the right equipment with common sense, you can confidently tow a camper trailer and enjoy your adventures on the road.

Trailer hitch

A trailer hitch is a device that connects a trailer to the vehicle towing it. It is crucial to safe towing. There are five classes of conventional hitches, each with a different weight capacity and receiver tube size:

• Class I hitches are generally used for small to midsize cars and can pull up to 2,000 pounds.
• Class II hitches are for large cars, crossovers, and minivans and can pull up to 3,500 pounds.
• Class III hitches typically come with larger trucks and SUVs and can pull up to 8,000 pounds.
• Class IV hitches are for full-size vans, trucks, and SUVs and can pull up to 10,000 pounds.
• Class V hitches are the heaviest-duty option, used with full-size trucks or SUVs configured for towing heavy loads, and can pull up to 20,000 pounds.

When selecting a trailer hitch, it is important to consider the weight of the trailer and the items being towed, as well as the towing capacity of the truck or SUV. The tongue weight, or the pressure exerted by the load at the front of the trailer, is also an important factor in selecting a hitch. An overloaded tongue weight is the most common cause of accidents related to trailer hitch failure.

In addition to weight capacity, the receiver tube size of the hitch must match the size of the ball mount. The receiver tube is bolted directly to the tow vehicle and receives the ball mount, which connects the vehicle to the trailer. Common receiver tube sizes include 1”, 1¼”, 2”, and 2½”.

For those with a truck camper, a trailer hitch receiver extension may be needed if the camper has a rear overhang that blocks access to the truck's trailer hitch. The Torklift SuperHitch and SuperTruss extension is one option designed for this situation, allowing for safe towing while hauling a truck camper.

Electrical connections

When towing a vehicle, it is essential to ensure that the electrical connections are set up correctly. This is a safety requirement, as the signal lights of the towed vehicle must work in conjunction with the brake and turn signal lights of the RV or tow vehicle. There are four basic ways to achieve this:

• Removable tail light kit
• Bulb and socket kit
• Diode kit
• Custom, plug-in wiring harness

The first two options are ideal for occasional towing, as they are the least invasive and do not require cutting, splicing, or tapping into the electrical system of the towed vehicle. The third option, the diode kit, is a more permanent solution that requires a more involved installation process. The fourth option, the custom, plug-in wiring harness, is the newest and simplest method, as it does not require any cutting or splicing of wires.

For the removable tail light kit, there are two types of add-on lights: magnetic tow lights and trunk-mount lights. Magnetic tow lights sit on top of the towed vehicle's trunk or roof, while trunk-mount lights are closed into the trunk. It is important to thoroughly clean the areas where magnetic lights are mounted to prevent scuffs and scratches.

The bulb and socket kit is a more permanent solution that involves mounting a separate bulb and socket inside each tail light housing of the towed vehicle. This option also does not require cutting, splicing, or tapping into the electrical system.

The diode kit is a traditional method that requires splicing into the towed vehicle's wiring. There are two types of diode kits: the block-style diode and the hardwire diode. The block-style diode is less complicated to install but may require more time to find a suitable mounting location. The hardwire diode, on the other hand, can be connected in line with the vehicle's circuits, but it requires determining the type of lighting system (combined or separate) before installation.

The custom, plug-in wiring harness is the newest and simplest way to wire a vehicle for towing. It functions similarly to the diode system but does not require any cutting or splicing of wires. This option is ideal for frequent towing and provides a "hidden" system that is out of sight beneath the vehicle.

Frequently asked questions