Teaching to tow?

[gkainz]

Anyone have any tips on teaching a brand new RVer how to tow? I've towed pretty much all my driving life. Grew up in a construction company towing equipment trailers (backhoes, dozers), pole trailers (65'), horse trailers, goose neck, 5th wheel, bumper pull, had bumper pull and 5th wheel RVs most of my adult life ...

But my kids just bought a bumper pull toy hauler and I'm almost at a loss on where to start trying to teach them "how to tow".

Kind of like "I've been doing it so long I don't know how to verbalize it?"

[cohendan]

Thank you for these insights. I've been learning how to drive with a towed trailer after we installed a fifth wheel hitch on my Ford F-150 earlier this month. It might take me a while to adjust but I think I can handle it pretty well. I find it hard during nighttime so I might as well compromise and do certain adjustments regarding the lights.

[pitch]

Teach them to be unapologetically assertive. I don't mean be a bully. I mean to confidently hug the center line for making a wide right hand turn.. Signaling well in advance and make a clean swift lane change.
Teach them to use the amount of road they need.
Make them understand that every driver behind them hates their guts,just for being in the way,and to be prepared to avoid or defend.
Teach them that other drivers will tailgate and can't be seen in the mirrors. Depending on the conditions you can use shadows to tell if anyone is behind you. Teach them to keep a good eye on the mirror for trucks overtaking them and to get a firm grip on the wheel. Most trucks are non events, but every once in a while a particular truck will suck/push like a mofo. Not good for it to be a surprise!

[gkainz]

Thanks for all the good tips - appreciate it. I hope to get a couple of sessions with them both, and our first trip is a family outing.

The toyhauler will be loaded lighter than typical, as my grandson has a power wheelchair that will be the typical cargo. They do have a side by side that will go on some trips, so we'll have to practice with both loading configurations.

[Tvov]

When they are just everyday driving, tell them to use the side mirrors on their cars. Learn what the side mirrors are showing you. When they back up, tell them to practice NOT looking over their shoulder.

When they have a spotter helping them to back up, have the spotter tell them which direction they want the rear of the trailer to go, try not to tell the driver which way to turn the wheels.

Obey the speed limits, especially on side roads and roads they don't know.

There are thousands of tips for towing... as others said, nothing beats practice.

[Jebby14]

if they are smart they will be ok. pointers to give,

-it takes a lot longer to stop, react, swerve ect. leave some space.
-trailer tires dont like to drive 88 mph (flux capacitors are not common in campers anyway)
- backing up takes patience and practice. spend some time in an empty lot
-watch departure angles
-watch cutting corners too tight the trailer will cut them tighter
-pay attention for a way out when pulling into stops (gas stations can suck)
-check tires with every stop
-chocks before unhooking not after
-a pre departure checklist is a good idea (every time, ask me how I know)
-plan for much poorer fuel economy
- as much as you may want to kill your spouce when being guided into a site, dont. prison is a bad time
-stuff will happen, fix it and move on
-with time in the seat they will get used to it
-plan a family camping trip to show them the ropes. their toy hauler should hold lots of beverages


happy camping

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

Gotta jump in, toy hauler axles are set farther back, so they don't corner or track the same as a regular trailer. Everything you learned towing regular trailers has to be adjusted. I actually came here because I wanted tips for teaching my daughter to tow. Her new to her trailer arrives here June 30th. Thanks to all that have chimed in, I need all the help I can get.

[philh]

Lwiddis wrote:
"Tell the kids to drive slower than they are used to, and then slow down even more."

x2. Very important.

x3

A lot of knowledge comes from just doing it. A professional truck driving school may have have a RV course available.

Backing... you either get it or you only use pull through spots.

[rhagfo]

Wow, it has been so long ago since my tow daughters learned to tow makes me feel even older than I am.
Oldest daughter lived and worked with horses on the east coast for a couple years and hauled 4 to 6 horse GN trailers. Youngest has a 2 horse and 4 horse slants, the 4 horse has a small living quarters. They started with a 2 horse side by side, hardest trailer to backup with a club cab long bed PU.

[travisc]

Don’t forget to talk about tail swing and don’t keep going forward if they get in a bind, last fall I help a guy from tearing off his second side fender by going into a tight campground and not knowing his clearances

[valhalla360]

Start in a big empty parking lot. Have them drive around, make turns, back up, get up to 20-25mph then slam on the brakes. Get the basics of how it handles at slow speeds so mistakes are less likely to be dangerous.

Then figure a nearby route maybe 10-20 miles long with light traffic and minimal hills. Take them along that route with you driving explaining what you are doing as you go. Then switch and have each of them drive it (yes, they should both learn).

Then being in Colorado, I assume you can find a moderately hilly area, so they can practice with grades and how to engine brake. Again, start with you driving and explaining followed by them taking a turn.

Being a toy hauler, make sure they have a toy or other weight in the back as they tend to be highly front loaded with an empty garage. You don't want them learning with a rig not set up properly.

By this point, they should have a decent idea of how it handles and from there practice will be their best learning tool.

[Grit_dog]

Do you have a flatbed trailer that isn’t so susceptible to whisky dents for training?
Better visibility to begin to understand where the trailer is at when backing up.
Unless they’re inept drivers (not saying they are, but some people couldn’t drive a golf cart without running something over), just have them drive around with light traiffic or rural area and practice. You can be the backseat driver for reals.

[Lwiddis]

"Tell the kids to drive slower than they are used to, and then slow down even more."

x2. Very important.

[DarkSkySeeker]

Tell the kids to drive slower than they are used to, and then slow down even more.

[dodge_guy]

You just gotta get out there and practice. Some people are good right out of the gate, some people it takes time and other never get.