Towing season sneaks up fast, doesn’t it? One minute your rig is tucked away for winter, and the next you’re itching to hit the road for summer campgrounds. Before you roll out, it’s worth slowing down for a few minutes and giving your setup a solid once‑over. Those first kilometres are where little oversights—an unlocked hitch pin, a soft tire, a brake setting that’s just a bit off—tend to reveal themselves in the worst ways.
Start with the basics you can see and touch. A slow walk around the rig catches more problems than any gadget ever will. Make sure the hitch is locked, the pin is in place, the electrical plug is seated, the jack and stabilizers are up, the steps and awnings are in, and every compartment is latched. If you’re flat towing, confirm the tow‑bar arms are locked and the dinghy’s parking brake is actually released. It sounds obvious, but it’s one of the easiest mistakes to make.
Once the outside looks right, think about the weight you’re asking your setup to handle. Summer gear piles up quickly—bikes, tools, food, water, patio setups, all the “just in case” stuff. Double‑check your towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR, hitch rating, and tongue or pin weight. If you want the most accurate picture, a quick stop at a public scale before a long trip can save you from pushing your rig past its limits. A registered scale is the best way to ensure you are underweight and towing within load. Should you suffer an unfortunate accident, this paperwork can save you from negative insurance and/or legal issues.
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photo Perry Mack
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photo Perry Mack
Now shift your attention to the parts that keep you in control. Tires deserve old‑fashioned hands‑on attention, even if you have a TPMS. Use a manual gauge on every tire—tow vehicle, trailer, dolly, or dinghy—and look for cracks, bulges, uneven wear, or aging rubber. After months of sitting, tires can look fine but be anything but. Look for the year of manufacture on the tires and perform an internet search or better yet check with the local tire experts to see when your tires age out. Tires can look “fine” but the rubber can be breaking down and be unable to deal with the rigors of driving. You’ll have to replace them at some point, why not in your home town when you can shop around calmly, not while without blowing your vacation budget on towing fees, missed days, higher prices and stress.
Kal Tire
Getting the RV ready for the trip south
Your brake controller is just as important. Make sure it powers on, recognizes the trailer, and is set for the weight you’re actually towing. A quick roll forward and a squeeze of the manual lever will tell you if the trailer brakes are grabbing the way they should. Adjust again after loading; a heavier trailer behaves differently than an empty one.
Safety chains, cables, and the breakaway system are your insurance policy if something goes wrong. Cross the chains under the tongue, attach them to proper points on the tow vehicle, and keep the breakaway cable clipped to the vehicle—not the chains. Confirm the breakaway battery is charged and the pin is fully seated before you leave.
If you’re flat towing a vehicle, take your time with the setup. Follow the exact sequence in the owner’s manual for transmission position, transfer case settings, steering lock, ignition mode, supplemental braking, and any battery or charge‑line requirements. And always, always confirm the parking brake is off before you move the motorhome. We keep a print out of the action sequence in the glove box for easy reference.
Finally, think about where you’re going. Regular mapping apps don’t always care about your height, weight, propane, or turning radius. An RV‑specific route planner like RVtrippers Trip Planner, can help you avoid low bridges, steep grades, tight switchbacks, and awkward campground entrances. It’s also worth checking fuel stops, construction zones, and tricky downtown routes ahead of time. A quick look at Street View can save you from a stressful arrival. Our 35’ gas Class A towing our Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is a prime example of a rig that needs great gas stop planning. Most urban gas stations are setup for 20’ trucks at the maximum. 55’ long rigs like ours can be a challenging if not impossible fill. We haven’t found a way to easily search for fuel depots with gas (not diesel – that’s easy) and straight pull-through fill stations. Calculate your stops and use satellite views to check the layout of your fuel stops. We also bring extra fuel cans with a battery powered filler to get us past any poor choices (missed the exit or under construction).
Bing Maps
Finding fuels stops using satellite imagery
We look for stations where the pumps are lined up parallel to the convenience store, there is straight driving access to the pumps, and a path to exit the pumps and return to the street. In this case we choose the southernmost lane and can drive around the store to exit.
Once you’ve done all that, give yourself one more slow lap around the rig. Then do a shorter version again at your first fuel stop. Connections settle, straps loosen, and something you missed at home is easier to fix in a parking lot than on the shoulder of a highway.
A smooth towing day usually starts with a calm departure. Build a little breathing room into your morning, or prior afternoon, keep this checklist handy, and use it in the same order every time. The more you confirm before you pull out, the less you have to worry about once you’re rolling.