Towing an RV Trailer in the Rain

Golden Gait Trailers & RVs of Concord, North Carolina, is proud to be your local RV trailer dealer. To help you stay safe in bad weather, we’ve drawn up this guide to towing your RV trailer in the rain.

Determine If It’s Safe

First, it’s smart to have a look outside and check the forecast for your route to figure out if you should even head out in the rain. While some rain is fine and manageable, very heavy rains, flood conditions, high winds, sleet and icy roads are dangerous. It’s sometimes best that you stay where you are for another day and wait for the weather to let up, rather than attempting to drive, as it’s going to be altogether too risky when towing thousands of pounds behind you.

Gear Up

You can equip your towable RV with some gear to make it easier to tow in the rain. Tires that are suitable for wet roads will have a deeper tread for better traction. It’s best to ask a professional about whether or not you’ll need rain tires for your particular towing setup.

Being able to see is another important concern, so installing more powerful windshield wiper blades can help to improve your visibility. Spraying your windshield with a rain-repellant solution will help the water slide off of it more easily, too.

Check Your RV

Before you head out, it’s smart to perform an inspection of both your towing vehicle and your RV trailer. You’ll want to ensure that the brakes aren’t worn, the tires are properly aired up, the oil is clean, the gas tank is full, the wiper blades are in good condition and that your lights and signals are functional. Examine your hitch because you’ll want that connection to be extremely secure. Fold up and secure all steps, awnings, slide-outs and windows before your departure.

Remain Vigilant While Driving

Once you’re on the road, you may encounter a sudden storm or shower. Turn on your lights and slow down your speed significantly while increasing your following distance so that you have more time to bring your rig to a complete stop. Try to get into a middle lane, as the water will pool towards the edges of the road and make them slicker.

Avoiding hydroplaning is going to be your primary goal. It’s easy to lose traction in wet weather, especially with oil and debris on the road that can make it even more difficult to drive across. Should you lose traction, point your vehicle straight ahead and apply constant pressure to your brakes to slow yourself down. Don’t slam on them!

Sometimes, your only option when it’s really coming down is to pull over to the side of the road and wait it out. It’s much better to be safe than sorry, and your RV gives you a comfortable place to wait out a storm if you’re in the middle of nowhere. You could also opt to visit a roadside diner and have a meal until the rain lets up.

We hope these tips help you and your family to stay safe out there, no matter what the weather looks like while you’re traveling. Searching for towable RVs in the Old North State? Come see us at our location in Concord today to have a look at our current selection of new and used RV campers and trailers for sale. Let our staff know if you need financing assistance as well. Golden Gait Trailers & RVs welcomes all of our customers coming from the cities of Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina.