Travel Trailer Hitching Guide

It’s a simple fact that if you can’t properly hitch up your travel trailer, towing your RV becomes that much more difficult and potentially dangerous. That is why the experts at Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center have created this guide to hitching your travel trailer. 

Towing Preparation

Start by getting all of your supplies together. Your toolkit should include lubricants (like WD-40 or a grease gun), an apron/towel, rubber blocks for your jack, and duct tape, as well as any tools specific to your model. Once that’s done, go through your checklist of things that need to be done before you hitch up. Go into your RV to turn off the appliances and secure your belongings. All doors, hatches, windows, and awnings should be closed, and your travel trailer should be disconnected from any utilities. You should also fuel up your tow vehicle. Finally, put away any antennas you might be using, raise the RV’s steps and stabilizers, and put down the wheel chocks.

Attaching the Hitch 

Your next step will be to remove your hitch lock. Open the receiver latch and use your jack to raise the front of your trailer. Don’t forget to lubricate the jack while it’s up! If your travel trailer starts to shift about as you raise it, double-check that the wheel chocks are still in place. Next, connect your hitch to the tow vehicle and insert the hitch pin. Back up your vehicle until it’s in the right position and park it. Finally, attach the sway bars, lower your trailer until the hitch ball is completely inside the receiver, and close the latch. 

Before You Leave

Even if you’ve attached the hitch, you’re still not quite done. Your trailer’s lights and brakes need to be connected to the proper cables so that they can function. The emergency brake release device also needs to be attached to the safety chain on your hitch receiver. Speaking of the safety chains, be sure to connect them as well. Walk around your travel trailer one last time to inspect everything. Once you’re confident that everything is in place, it’s time to head out!

For more about travel trailers or to shop our selection of travel trailer models, visit Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center in Jane Lew, West Virginia. We also offer trade-ins, servicing, parts, and financing. We are proud to serve communities like Morgantown, West Virginia, and we hope to see you soon!