Towing

If you tow a large, heavy trailer, you need a hitch that can handle the weight. Gooseneck and 5th wheel hitches are both heavy-duty devices designed to connect a large trailer to the bed of a truck rather than to a receiver on (or, usually, under) the bumper. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers connect to hitches …

“How long do RV brakes last?” may seem like a simple question, but the lifespan of RV brakes can vary a lot. The type of RV you have, how much it weighs, and where, how, and how often you drive it can have a major impact on how long the brakes will last. Today’s post …

If you own a travel trailer, 5th wheel… or really any type of trailer at all… it’s good to know how to repack trailer bearings. This will help you stay on top of an important piece of trailer maintenance to keep your towing experience safe and trouble-free. Repacking trailer bearings is a routine maintenance task …

If you’re flat-towing your car behind your motorhome like we did full-time for over 20 years, there’s no need to lug a portable braking system around, thanks to the Roadmaster InvisiBrake. Flat towing a car (4 wheels down) behind a motorhome requires an auxiliary braking system to handle the car’s weight. Besides normal braking, it’s …

What’s the best half-ton truck for towing an RV? That’s a big, loaded question, and the answer depends on a range of factors. If you’re planning to tow an RV, it’s very important to make sure that you do it with a truck that’s capable of towing the total weight of the trailer and has …

Trailer brake controllers sync up the two sets of brakes in a tow vehicle and trailer, which helps manage stopping distance and control trailer sway. In this post, we’re looking at the key features of trailer brake controllers and how to make an informed decision to get the best trailer brake controller for your towing …

Trailer brake systems play a significant role in ensuring the safety of trailers and the vehicles towing them. In this post, we’re laying out the different types of trailer brake systems, their key components, and the mechanics behind how they work. What Are the Three Types of Trailer Brake Systems? Let’s start by taking a …

Even if many people don’t know exactly what it’s called, pretty much everyone knows what an ordinary trailer coupler looks like. It’s that thing with the rounded top at the very front of nearly every travel trailer (or boat or utility trailer, for that matter) that sits directly onto a trailer hitch ball. We’ve all …

A non-binding tow bar is an essential part of our towing setup. We’ve experienced binding in the past, and trust us – you don’t want to deal with it. In this post, we’ll explain what binding is and how it happens, show you how non-binding tow bars are different, and share the ones we’ve had …

When it comes to towing RVs, boats, and other trailers, you need a vehicle that combines power, stability, and versatility. SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) have become popular as tow vehicles due to their spacious interiors for passengers and gear, robust engines, and towing capabilities and technologies. In this post, we’re looking at some of the …

Backing up a trailer is something almost everyone struggles with at first. But there are ways to make the entire process easier and to get it right every time. In this post, we’ll tell you how to back up a trailer like a pro by giving you some helpful tools as well as pro tips …

In the world of trucks and towing, few innovations have had as big an impact as Tow/Haul mode. Understanding Tow/Haul mode and how and when to use it can make your towing experience safer and better overall. Having towed a vehicle ourselves for more than 20 years, we take towing safety seriously, as noted in …

In a recent post, one of our readers asked about the benefit of a dual-axle trailer vs single-axle trailer for hauling with their large SUV. (Thanks Jane!) We answered her question in general, but the differences are considerable. So, today we’re covering the differences between single- and dual-axle trailers (also called “tandem” or “tandem-axle” trailers), …

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Do I need a breakaway cable on my trailer?” you’ve come to the right place. You may have seen our post on how to connect a trailer breakaway cable, but are braking systems for trailer breakaways required? In this post, we address this question specifically as it pertains to the …

  Knowing how to connect a trailer breakaway cable is one of many important aspects of safe towing. However, there’s a bit of controversy and confusion around this topic, so in today’s post, we’re hoping to sort it all out, with safety as the top priority.  We’ll also explain how to connect a trailer breakaway …