Auto Parts - Complete Guide to Towing a Trailer for the First Time

Warmer months are here and it’s the perfect time for an RV or camper trailer road trip. If you've never towed a trailer before, you likely have a lot of mixed feelings around hitching and driving with one. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking, but with the right guidance, you’ll feel confident moving from hitch to highway.

Whether you’re towing a small flatbed trailer or a larger travel trailer camper, here’s what you need to know before you hit the road.

Know Your Vehicle’s Towing Limits

Towing capacity, payload, and tongue weight limit are necessary details about your vehicle’s towing capabilities and can be found in your owner’s manual, inside the driver's side door jamb, and on the manufacturer’s website. Luckily, many full-size SUVs and midsize-to-full-size trucks are a great option for towing open trailers or travel trailers.

Never exceed your vehicle's towing capacity. If you do, it can damage your transmission, brakes, suspension, and engine, not to mention become a safety risk. An overloaded towing set-up is much harder to brake and steer. Furthermore, it is far more likely to sway dangerously at highway speeds.

Before venturing out, use our guide on how to accurately calculate towing capacity.

Choosing the Right Trailer Hitch

Properly attaching your trailer to your vehicle is an essential step to safe towing. Hitch classes range from I to V, and each is rated for a different maximum weight.

Also ensure the hitch ball size matches your trailer’s coupler. Most travel trailer couplers will fit a 2-inch or 2-5/16-inch ball.

You’ll also need the right ball mount drop or rise, so your trailer sits level once it’s connected. A level trailer will move more predictably and place the right amount of tongue weight on the hitch.

Once you have the right hitch set-up, secure the receiver with a hitch pin or lock and use a torque wrench when tightening the ball.

Connecting Your Trailer

If you’re new to connecting a trailer to your vehicle, take your time, ideally with a partner, to help you line up.

Back your vehicle up slowly until the ball is directly under the trailer coupler, then stop and lower the coupler onto the ball using the trailer’s tongue jack. Securely latch the coupler and ball together.

Next, attach your safety chains between the trailer and the back of your vehicle by crossing them in an X pattern underneath the tongue. The safety chains ensure that your trailer won’t dig into the road if it accidentally unhitches.

If your trailer has electric brakes, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the breakaway cable to your vehicle.

Finally, plug in the wiring harness and test your lights before you go anywhere. Have someone stand behind the trailer while you check your brake lights, turn signals, and running lights.

Conduct a Pre-Departure Walk-Around

Anytime you tow, always take a quick minute to walk around your set-up and double-check that everything is secure and in working order:

• hitch pin secured
• coupler latch locked
• safety chains crossed and attached to both the trailer and vehicle
• breakaway cable connected
• all tires (trailer and vehicle) properly inflated
• no visible damage on tires
• trailer battery fully charged
• all cargo properly tied down

What Towing Feels Like

Towing a trailer feels very different from driving your vehicle on its own. The extra weight means more time and space to switch lanes, longer stopping distances, and wider turns. Travel trailer accessories, like towing mirrors or mirror extenders, can improve visibility around your trailer whenever you need to change lanes, make a turn, or back up.

Trailer sway (also known as fishtailing) is the most dangerous thing a first-time tower can experience, because minor side-to-side movement can quickly escalate to losing control of the trailer.

The most common causes of fishtailing include rear-heavy loading, very high speeds, and crosswinds from high winds or passing vehicles. If you notice your trailer starting to sway, ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel steady. Never brake hard, because this can transfer weight forward and make fishtailing worse.

Do You Need a Licence to Tow a Trailer in Canada?

In most Canadian provinces and territories, a standard G Class licence permits you to tow a trailer up to 4,500 or 4,600 kg gross vehicle weight, depending on the jurisdiction. Anything larger may require an upgraded licence or endorsement. Licence requirements also change if either your vehicle or your trailer is equipped with air brakes. Always check with your provincial or territorial Ministry of Transportation for more information and specifics.

Preparation is key before your first travel trailer adventure. Towing a trailer for the first time can be daunting, but the right equipment, safety protocols, and awareness can make all the difference.

For help finding the right trailer hitch, trailer parts, and travel trailer accessories, visit your local NAPA Auto Parts store to chat with an automotive expert, or browse our full selection at www.NAPACanada.com.