Towing Behind Your Motorhome

Review

Towing a dinghy behind a motor home involves making a number of decisions. So, it is appropriate that RV Education 101 has made a 51-minute training video that shows you everything you need to know to tow a dinghy, safely, behind your motor home. Hosted by producer Mark Polk, an expert in all things RV, this video delivers another fact-packed lesson-one that is well worth adding to your library.

One of the first decisions you need to make is how you will tow your dinghy. If you are towing an auto, you need to know how to decide the method you will use to tow it. Mark describes three options available to you, and how to choose the best towing method for your circumstances. Then he demonstrated each of these options, the equipment you will need for each one, and how to set up your vehicle, motor home and tow equipment to do the job right.

He provides a thorough checklist of facts you will need to know and consider, how to get this information if you don't already have it, what modifications you may have to make, and where you can get a free dinghy and towing guide.

There are various reasons why towing one way is better than another, and Mark shows you how to assess the best options based upon your motor home, hitch, vehicle, and other factors. For example, towing a front-wheel drive vehicle is not the same as towing a rear-wheel drive vehicle.

Several very important considerations are covered in more general terms, such as warranty requirements, insurance and legal considerations. While these are specific to each towing situation, he does tell you how you can get the information that you will need to meet all legal, insurance and warranty requirements for towing a dinghy. This segment alone is worth having this video in your library. The cost of this video is far less than any one ticket, a voided warranty, or even a small accident that is not covered by insurance.

As Mark demonstrates how to select the right equipment, hook up your dinghy, and load a vehicle onto it, he explains the dangers of exceeding specific weight distributions. He specifies what these weight categories are, which weight rating is most important, how to determine each weight, and how to apply this information so that your tow is set up safely.

Even choosing the right size ball for your hitch requires more thought than just picking one off the shelf. You'll learn how to level your towing system, and hook up using several different kinds of tow bar designs. Do you want a rigid or collapsible tow bar? Will you be traveling alone, or will you have people to help you hook up your tow? Is this the only time you will be towing, or will you tow frequently? Mark covers many points you have to consider in making the best choice.

Not surprisingly, Mark demonstrates a complete setup, including safety chains, cables, brakes and lights. Light systems can be as simple as magnetic ones that cling to the trunk of a towed car, or can be wired for a long haul. He demonstrates setup of the tow bar and hitch for both motor home-mounted and vehicle-mounted tow bars, and shows some leveling techniques. His demonstrations and explanations teach you how to avoid causing any damage, and ensure the greatest amount of safety.

Brakes aren't something you want to set up in a hurry, and depending upon where you'll be towing your vehicle, you may have to make some extra preparations. Brake systems may require that you make modifications to your vehicle. Again, he gives a checklist of what to take into consideration when choosing your brake system, and when additional considerations may apply. To clarify how each of his checklist items will affect your decision, he describes different types of brake systems, such as hydraulic, vacuum, and surge brakes.

As expected Mark covers an inspection checklist that tells you how often and when to inspect them, how to check critical things, such as tire pressure, when to check and when not to check some of these things. He even covers symptoms that indicate a serious danger, such as wheels that are hot to the touch, and what to do about them. Along with this inspection list, you will learn guidelines for driving while towing a dinghy, and a few things you can't do while towing. He gives a thorough review at the end of this video, and a last lesson in the steps involved in unhitching your dinghy.

If you plan to tow a vehicle, boat, trailer or anything else behind your motor home, this video would be money and time well spent. Even if you have heard all of this before, it is a great refresher course and is sure to remind you of a few things you may have forgotten.

Take an hour, now, to watch Towing Behind Your Motorhome at RV Education 101's website.

Choose between a single viewing, and the option to view this video as many times as you wish.

System requirements for online viewing are: Windows XP or Vista and Windows Medial Player 11 (will also work running via Boot Camp on a Mac.)

You can also own Towing Behind Your Motorhome on DVD. RV Education 101's DVDs can be purchased individually or in sets.