Towing

by Jack Bradshaw – Spring 2006 Motorcader

As you travel around enjoying your great Foretravel coach sometimes you take for granted that everything is ok. We tend to overlook some of the simple things that can cause a lot of grief and anguish while traveling. One thing that comes to mind is your tow car and the safety aspect of a little preventive maintenance and/or just paying close attention to details.

One important check is the tow ball on your coach. The common problem with the tow ball is that it becomes loose. If this happens you should remove the ball and inspect it for any wear or damage. The ball shouldn’t have any movement if securely tightened. The base plate on your tow vehicle should be checked for security as well as the condition of the tow bar. One way to check the base plate is to put your foot on the plate that extends outward and push down. There shouldn’t be any movement at the frame where it is attached to the vehicle. Visual inspections on the tow bar, either on the coach or mounted on your tow vehicle, should be done regularly. Check for any cracks, loose bolts or worn attachments areas that show evidence you may need to replace the tow bar or something else is causing the problem. A light coating of machine oil on the shafts and around the attachments points help prevent wear on the bushings and pins. The safety chains or cables should be in good shape also. Especially the cables, they shouldn’t have any frayed ends or broken strands that will make them weak and not be able to do their job if something were to happen with the tow bar.

NOTE: It is a very good idea to check the tow bar pins after you stop to each lunch or stop for the night to ensure someone hasn’t tampered with them. I’ve heard from other motorcaders of this happening to them.

Here is a checklist that may help you get started on the right foot.

BEFORE YOU TOW

· Make sure your equipment is rated for the dinghy’s weight and that you are not exceeding your coach’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR).

· Confirm hitch height is correct.

· Confirm all hitch bolts; tow-bar and base plate fasteners are securely tightened.

· Confirm hitch and wiring connections are engaged and secure; all safety chains or cables are attached, and all locking pins are properly installed.

· Connect the brake system and breakaway device.

· Check coach and dinghy for the proper function of taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.

· Check tire pressure of all tires on coach and dinghy – including the spare tire.

· Make sure the dinghy is set up for towing: steering unlocked; hand brake off; gear selector in the position specified by manufacture; ignition in the proper position; lube pump switch, driveshaft coupler, 4WD transfer case and hubs in the proper position.

AS YOU GO

· Observe the speed limit for towing in each state or province you are traveling in.

· Maintain adequate stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you. A minimum five-second interval is recommended.

· Avoid towing in snowy or icy conditions.

· Pay particular attention to traffic merging onto the freeway, and be prepared to take evasive action to avoid “daydreamers.”

· Plan ahead – most flat-towed dinghies cannot be backed more than a few feet, so it’s necessary to focus on easy ingress and egress. Most tow-bar manufacturers will not warrant damage caused by backing. Dollies tend to jackknife quickly. It’s better to disconnect the dinghy and drive to a safe place to reconnect.

· Avoid having to make tight turns; they put a lot of pressure on tow bars.

· Towing in deep sand and gravel may cause the dinghy’s front wheels to turn completely to one side. If this happens, you must manually re-center them before continuing.

· Walk around the motorhome and dinghy to inspect all connections, check tire pressure and look for signs of trouble every time you stop. 

Now you know how important it is to do some preventive inspections and maintenance before starting your trip, so let’s get started on the Motorcades and join all your Foretravel friends for an exciting year traveling together.