Driving an RV is very different than driving a car! Most of us learned how to drive an RV the hard way — through trial and error (and a lot of mistakes). But sitting behind the wheel of a large RV on your first road trip is not the best time to figure out all the challenges and nuances that come with driving RVs. Here are 12 important first-time RV driving tips for newbies to learn before renting an RV… or buying one.
Towing
Want to tow a car behind your RV? Then you’ll either need a tow dolly (to tow the car with 2 wheels off the ground) or an auto trailer (to tow 4 wheels up). Or you'll need to know how to flat tow a vehicle four wheels down. And if you want to take along boats, bicycles, motorcycles, or scooters then you'll need a toy hauler, a specialized rack, or an electric lift for your RV. Here, RVers show you how to flat tow a Jeep Wrangler... or any other type of toad for RVing. Plus everything you need to know about triple towing, double towing, flat towing, towing four wheels down, towing two wheels down, trailering a car behind a motorhome, and hitching a fifth wheel trailer to your pickup truck.
RV Level 4: This Simple RV Leveling System Is A Better Way To Level Your RV
Here is a list of all the ways the RV Level 4 beats other RV leveling systems I’ve tried: it’s easier to use, it runs on USB instead of batteries, the app works perfectly without changing the settings on your phone, the calibration switch is better than the others’, it’s more reliable (accurate within 1/10th of an inch), and it’s less expensive.
Triple Towing: What You Need To Know Before You Pull 2 Trailers Behind A Car, Truck, Or RV
Do you know your state’s triple towing laws (or double towing laws)?… In many states it’s legal to tow 2 trailers at the same time! Here’s a list of states that permit triple towing. Plus, what you need to know before you pull 2 trailers behind 1 vehicle.
Motorhome Towing Guide: Flat Towing vs. Trailering Pros & Cons (Also, See Which Cars Can Be Towed With 4 Wheels Down)
Motorhome towing tips — so you can bring your own vehicle with you whenever you’re RVing. See the pros & cons of flat towing four wheels down vs trailering with a tow dolly, a list of vehicles that can be flat towed, and how to flat tow cars.
RV Towing With More Than 1 Trailer: Triple Towing vs Double Towing
Double bottom? Triple towing? Exactly what do you call an RV towing more than 1 trailer? These videos & photos will clear up the confusion. Plus tips for RVers
Want To Color Coordinate Your Motorhome With Your Toad? Here’s How To Paint RV Stripes Yourself
I added some orange RV stripes to mimic the color of my Jeep toad. Now my motorhome and my Jeep match! It was easy. Here’s how to paint stripes on your RV.
Choosing The Right RV Tow Dolly So You Can Tow A Car Behind Your Motorhome
Want to tow a car behind your motorhome? Then you’ll need an RV tow dolly. Here are all of the things you need to consider when you’re choosing a tow dolly.
DIY Electric Brake Controller Instructions: How To Wire Electric Trailer Brakes & Lights Without Damaging Your Car!
Car didn’t come with a tow package? And you want to use an electric brake controller for your trailer? Use these tips to keep from frying your car’s wiring!
RV Tow Truck Tips: When Matching The Truck To The Trailer, Bigger Isn’t Always Better
You can learn from my mistake. As the result of my inexperience in matching truck to trailer, I bought the wrong truck to pull my fifth wheel trailer the first time. Here’s what you need to know…
Using Your RV Mirrors: Advice For Backing Up + How To Use RV Hand Signals
The following tips show you how to best use your RV mirrors when backing up, plus how to use RV hand signals from a spotter outside the vehicle.
Best Tips For RV Trailer Parking & Backing Up
These simple trailer parking tips should keep you from making dumb or expensive mistakes when parking or backing up your RV trailer.
Need A New RV Bike, Carrier, or RV Bicycle Rack? How About An RV Motorcycle Lift?
Bicycles are the most cost-effective, lightweight, easy-to-use way to get around the campground — followed by electric scooters and motorcycles. Here’s how to get all of your bikes to your next RV destination. If you need a new bicycle, following are some really fun bikes worth considering. Plus, all the best RV carriers & lifts for bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles.
Fun & Practical Ways To Get Around RV Parks And Campgrounds
If you want to take some leisurely spins through the campground or RV park — and be able to stop and visit with other campers along the way — then you’ll probably want to bring along an extra set of wheels that’s easily towable inside or behind your RV. Here are all the best ways to get around RV parks and campgrounds.
See Why Heavy Duty Trucks Are Best For RV Towing With A 5th Wheel Trailer
Does your pickup truck barely control the weight of your heavy 5th wheel RV? Using a Class 8 heavy duty truck — or semi truck — converted for RV towing gives you a wide margin of safety and more power than you’ll ever need!
5th Wheel RV Trailers vs Bumper Pull RV Trailers – See Which Is Best
Choosing between 5th wheel trailers and bumper pull trailers depends on a number of factors that are all spelled out for you right here. Deciding based on price alone could be a big mistake.
How To Safely (And Legally) Tow A Car Behind Your Motorhome
The liability and responsibility is all yours when you tow a car behind your motorhome. These tips and video will show you how to safely pull a vehicle behind your RV.
VIDEOS: How To Hook Up A Fifth Wheel RV Hitch
How your RV hitch is mounted and hooked up is critical. These videos show what to do… and what NOT to do when hooking up an RV hitch to your truck.
RV Buying 101: Which Type Of RV Is Best – A Motorhome Or A 5th Wheel Trailer?
RV buying involves making many comparisons to find out which type best matches your needs. Fifth wheel RVs and motorhomes have some dramatic differences that are spelled out for you here. There’s even a video of another option, the Sprinter Van based motorhome.
Mountain Driving Tips For RVers: How To Drive Up Hills & Down Hills Without Burning Up Your Brakes
Mountain driving in an RV requires some unique maneuvering both up and down hills. It’s much different in an RV than in a car. Here’s how to drive up hills and down hills in an RV without burning up your brakes.
RV Driving Tips: Tight Turns & Making Corners In City Driving
An RV corners completely different than a car does. In city driving, cars will be crowding you. They may even trap you, causing you to hit them during the corner. This video shows how important it is to understand safe cornering with your RV.
RV Air Ride Suspension Levels The Load And Softens The Bumps
Love the truck, but hate the ride? This can be fixed by adding air ride suspension to your RV or tow vehicle. With adjustable air bladders you can level the load and smooth out the ride. Why let your truck beat you to death? Get air ride suspension and ride in comfort.
Improve Your Safety On The Road By Towing With A Larger RV Truck
As this video shows, the added safety margin of a medium duty RV truck is impressive. Some 5th wheel trailers weigh in at 20,000 pounds. Do you really want to gamble that your RV trailer’s electric brakes will be enough to stop you in an emergency?
Pros & Cons Of Renting A Car vs Towing A Car Behind Your RV
Towing a car behind your RV has definite pros and cons. The freedom gained is nice, but the extra cost can add up. Renting a car when you get to your destination may be a better choice. This video demonstrates proper procedures if you are towing a car.
Got Run Flat Tires On Your RV? Better Install A Tire Pressure Monitoring System!
Run flat tires on RVs can cause catastrophic damage when they fly apart. A tire pressure monitoring system can alert you to dropping air pressure in time to safely get off the highway and avoid a serious accident.
Scooters & Bicycles Make Good RV Campground Transportation
Once the RV is parked, you need a way to get around. Bicycles are good if you like the exercise. A scooter will get you farther, faster. Here are some things to consider.
