Exploring Nature? Read More About Getting Ready to Tow a Camper
How Do You Get a Vehicle Ready to Tow a Camper?
Summer has officially arrived in Ontario. With so many incredible things to see, we’d like to think there are a lot of people out there ready to hit the road for an annual adventure. If you’re idea of a good time is getting back to nature, you might be wondering how to get a vehicle ready to tow a camper. Our team has decades of experience in the automotive industry, and their knowledge is nearly endless. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips you might need to learn.
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Keep Up With Regular Maintenance
The act of towing puts additional stress on any truck or SUV. Ensuring that the vehicle doing the pulling is in the best possible condition is crucial. This means making sure the oil is changed regularly, the brakes are maintained and the tires have enough tread depth to operate safely.
If you’re pulling heavy-duty trailers, like full-size campers with a fifth-wheel rig, pay particular attention to the coolant levels and transmission fluid.
Check Your Vehicle’s Specs
There are a lot of vehicles that are capable of towing campers, but as we know, not all campers are the same. Larger versions will be heavier and require a higher towing capacity. It is imperative to know the camper’s dry weight, that is when it’s empty as well as how much gear will be loaded in for transit. Overloading the vehicle could cause catastrophic damage to the powertrain and other critical components.
Employ The Right Equipment
Obviously, the connection point between the vehicle and the trailer is a critical issue. There are several classes of trailer hitches available that have weight capacity limits. Understanding the safe towing capacity of your vehicle and the weight of the camper. Take a look below for a breakdown of the different hitch classes and their upper weight limits:
- Class 1 – 907 kg
- Class 2 – 1,588 kg
- Class 3 – 3,629 kg
- Class 4/5 – 8,165 kg
If you need to add a dedicated vehicle to your home fleet to pull a camper, make an appointment with Davey Auto Sales today. Our team is ready to help you make this important decision.