How To Prepare Your Truck for Towing: 9 Important Tips

Before you go camping, you want to make sure that your truck is ready and well set. You will need to take care of a few things and make some considerations about your truck.

You will take into account modifications that are relevant to your type of camping and vehicle too. Here are some of the important things you need to look into while preparing your truck for towing a camper.

1.Your vehicle’s transmission system.

A shift kit will be needed for a truck fitted with automatic transmission. This makes your transmission system strong and more helpful for this kind of task. However, these shift kits as they are known in the market comes with a price. But no matter how pricey they are, for you to have a nice camping holiday you will definitely require one. If your truck is fitted with a manual transmission, then you are on the safer side as far as this is concerned.

2. Tires

Your vehicle’s tires are very crucial here. You will need to make sure that they are well inflated and that they are in good condition. Your tires were in good condition means that they have a good grip on the road. Do not use old or worn-out tires.

3. Braking system

Additional weight means additional momentum and thus a greater braking force is required. You will need to make sure that your braking system is efficient enough and doesn’t malfunction anyhow or else you run into problems. Make sure that additional or new braking shoes are fitted.

4. Sway controls.

Trailer sway happens because of several reasons such as poor weight distribution and wind. You need to make sure you overcome this by installing sway controllers. These monitor the truck’s motion and movements and apply precise braking and stop the trailer from swaying.

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5. Modification of your suspension

If you plan to be involved with towing, then you definitely have to consider this. You will need to upgrade your suspension especially if your trailer has to carry heavy loads to avoid straining your truck’s main suspension.

6. Transmission cooling (additional)

This is recommended for those that are planning to be involved with frequent and heavy towing. Make sure that your truck is fitted with a transmission cooler. This is important because towing strains the truck transmission system.

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7. Truck’s towing capacity

This tells you how much load your truck can tow. You should never exceed your truck’s optimal towing capacity. Adding more than the recommended capacity of your truck poses safety risks. It also might cause damage to your vehicle’s engine and transmission.

Video Overview: How Much Can I Tow? – Towing & Payload Capacity Explained- MUST WATCH IF TOWING!

8. Towing Mirrors

If you are going to be towing, especially along with the trailer, you will require having big mirrors installed. Make sure they are extended beyond the truck’s body. This will enable you to see well beyond the trailer. If your truck has come with these large mirrors, you are set but if it doesn’t, you can purchase some.

9. Kind of hitch needed

The kind of hitch required is determined by how heavy your load will be. There is hitch class 1-5 and each has its weight range. Choose your hitch according to the weight of your trailer.

Is towing hard on a truck?

No. Towing a trailer is not hard on a truck. In fact, it’s much easier on the truck than driving 18 hour days pulling a load down the interstate.

The reason for this is that towing puts less strain on the engine and other components because there are no gear changes or braking, which causes wear and tear on those parts. It also puts less stress on your transmission because you’re not stopping and starting every few minutes like you do when pulling another vehicle behind you, such as a semi-truck does.

What do I need to know before towing a trailer?

Know how much weight your truck is rated for Make sure your truck is fully loaded, including the trailer’s weight and its own weight (which appears on the sticker inside the cab). Make sure your tires are at their recommended pressures and you’re ready for any quick emergency maneuvers, such as backing up from a campsite or pulling out of a parking lot.

How can I improve my towing performance?

The first thing you should do to prepare your truck for towing ensures that your trailer’s hitch has been properly mounted. The hitch should be mounted with brackets and bolts that are rated AT LEAST 2x the weight of your trailer.

To further improve the strength of your trailer’s attachment to your truck, many new trailers have a device called a retention device that keeps the trailer from moving when you pull it. You want to ensure that is in place on both sides because it helps prevent your hitch from dragging along the ground when it’s parked or stored.

What can you tow under 1500 lbs?

Generally, you can tow a wide variety of things under 1500 lbs. because they’re so light and the truck is pulling so little. This includes pop-up campers, ATVs, golf carts, and other toys. You can also tow just about anything with wheels under 1500 lbs.

What transmission is best for towing?

You want to use a transmission that has Overdrive. This is a gear that allows the engine to run at a lower RPM, which improves fuel mileage and makes it easier on the engine.

Video Overview: Heavy towing and auto transmissions | Auto Expert John Cadogan

Can tow ruin transmission?

No. There is a myth that towing vehicles will ruin your transmission. This is not true. Lightly loaded trucks under 1500 lbs (even 1000 lbs) will not ruin your transmission, because you’re not shifting much or doing hard acceleration or braking.

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How far can you tow automatic transmission?

This depends on the transmission. You can typically tow 1500 lbs for about 20 miles, and 2000-2500 lbs for about 40 – 50 miles. If your trailer is heavier, you won’t be able to tow as far, especially in high temperatures.

Why is 2wd better than 4wd for towing?

The main reason to tow with your truck in 2wd is so that you can travel in slippery conditions. This is because the power of your engine, rather than being transferred to the wheels, will be transferred to the trailer through your transmission and axle.

Video Overview: 2 Wheel Drive or 4 Wheel Drive Tow Vehicle

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How To Prepare Your Truck for Towing: 9 Important Tips