- For tow vehicle ratings visit www.trailerlife.com (see tow ratings)
- Important information regarding hitch weight:
All vehicles have the manufacturer’s weight ratings for axle capacity posted on the vehicle. It is important not to exceed this rating when towing a fifth wheel or travel trailer. To determine the hitch weight that your vehicle can handle you must: A. Weigh the rear axle of your vehicle at a scale (with a full tank of fuel). B. Subtract that weight from the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) posted on your vehicle. The balance is the allowable amount of hitch weight (including passengers and cargo) your vehicle can handle.
What vehicles are towable behind my Motorhome?
- For a listing of manufacturer approved vehicles visit www.motorhomemagazine.com (see Dinghy towing)
- Yes. We off on the spot financing with the bank of your choice. Low rate plus long term loans to fit all budgets. No payout penalties. Fixed or variable rates available.
Are extended service contracts available?
- Yes. New purchasers can extend their service contract up to 6
years with a 0 deductible on certain units.
Used purchasers (1992 & newer) 4-year extended service contract packages are available.
- Yes. We have six acres of secure storage available on a monthly, seasonal or year round basis.
What are your hours of operation?
- Summer (starting May 1st): Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:30
pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Winter (starting September 1st): Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Are parts available for my older RV?
- We have one of the largest parts departments in Canada backed up with a 12 bay service department. If we do not have the parts you require in stock we will gladly order them in if available. Contact our knowledgeable staff for more information.
Do you service other brands of RV’s than the ones you carry?
- We service all makes and models of RV’s. We are an authorized service center for all appliance manufacturers:
- Dometic
- Hydroflame
- Norcold
- A&E Awnings
- Coleman Falkner
- Suburban
Contact our knowledgeable staff for more information regarding your unit.
Is my fridge working? I don’t hear it running.
- There is no noise when an RV fridge is working as it operates on a different system than your house fridge.
What air pressure should my tires be at?
- The tire manufacturer stamps the maximum pressure on the side of the tires. Consult the tire manufacturer.
Will my current 5th wheel hitch fit my new truck?
- Current hitches will fit most trucks. In most cases it’s just a matter of changing your frame brackets. Call our service department for more details. As of January 1, 2004, 5th wheel hitches can no longer be installed over bed liners (except spray-in).
When do I sanitize my fresh water system?
- When your water takes on a "rotten egg" smell you know that it’s past time to sanitize your water system. We recommend that your water system be sanitized each spring. Contact our parts department for the appropriate products to be used.
- Before towing a trailer for the first time, you should check with the dealer to determine the towing capacity of the towing vehicle, and what extra towing equipment you may need, such as heavy duty shocks and springs or a transmission cooler.
Is there any danger in not loading my trailer?
- If insufficient weight is placed on the trailer hitch (7-18 per cent of the total loaded weight of the trailer is recommended), the trailer may sway from side to side and tip over. Loading your trailer properly is important not only for ease of hauling, but also for safety.
Is there any danger in overloading my trailer?
- Never overload the trailer! You will often have more space in which to carry heavy articles than the running gear (hitch, springs, tires and brakes) can carry safely. Overloading the trailer can make it unstable and can cause the tires to rub against the body of the vehicle. Tires may also overheat from flexing in the sidewall and could blow out. Trailers should be loaded with heavy objects at the bottom to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. All loads should be secured so they will not shift in travel.
- The GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the maximum weight the manufacturer states the vehicle and its load can weigh and still operate safely.
- The GAWR(R) is the Gross Axle Weight Rating (Rear). This is the maximum weight the manufacturer states can be loaded onto the rear axle and still operate safely.
- The GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating (not all manufacturers state or affix this rating to the rating decal). This is the vehicle manufacturer's maximum weight rating for the combination of the towing vehicle and towed trailer. It is the maximum sum the weight of the vehicle and its load, and the trailer and its load, can operate safely. The other ratings must also not be exceeded.
How do I determine my vehicle's carrying or towing capacity?
- Fill the vehicle with fuel.
- Weigh the front axle and rear axle of the vehicle separately.
- To determine carrying capacity of the front axle, subtract the actual weight on the front axle from the GAWR of the front axle as specified on the decal.
- To determine carrying capacity of the rear axle, subtract the
actual weight on the rear axle from the GAWR of the rear axle as
specified on the decal. If the trailer hitch is not installed on
the truck, add the weight of the hitch to the rear axle weight
before calculation.
Example: GVWR 2,900 kg (6,394 lbs.)
Front
Specified GAWR
1,000 kg
(2,205 lbs.)
Actual Weight
- 700 kg
(1,544 lbs.)
Usable Weight
300 kg
(662 lbs.)
Rear
Specified GAWR
2,000 kg
(4,410 lbs.)
Actual Weight
- 300 kg
(662 lbs.)
Usable Weight
1,700 kg
(3,748 lbs.)
GVWR
2,900 kg
(6,394 lbs.)
Actual Weight
- 1000 kg
(2,205 lbs.)
Tow vehicle load carrying capacity
1,900 kg
(4,189 lbs.)
This means that a total weight of 1,900 kg (4,189) can be loaded into the truck or transferred from the trailer onto the truck provided the weight that is loaded or transferred does not exceed 300 kg (662 lbs.) to the front axle or 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs.) to the rear axle. This ensures the weight remains within the towing vehicle's GVWR.
- The dry hitch weight is the amount of weight that will be transferred onto the towing vehicle before water, personal articles and supplies are installed in the trailer.
How do I choose the proper hitch for my trailer?
- There are a few things to consider.
For all but the very lightest of trailers, the hitch should be attached to the frame of the towing vehicle rather than the bumper.
The hitch must be rated for the GVWR or total weight of the trailer. The hitch must be attached securely to the towing vehicle. A truck bed liner cannot be installed between the hitch and the towing vehicle. Truck box and hitch contact areas must be free of compressible material.
For loaded trailers over 1,590 kg (3,500 lbs.), use a load equalizing hitch. This helps prevent the rear axle from becoming overloaded.
Goose neck and fifth wheel hitches allow better handling and should be used for larger trailers. When using a fifth wheel or goose neck hitch, or a ball hitch with a weight distribution attachment, the loaded trailer must not weigh more than twice the GVW of the towing vehicle. When using a ball hitch without a weight distribution attachment, the loaded trailer must not weigh more than the towing vehicle.
For ball-type hitches, the ball diameter should be:
Weight of trailer and load
Ball diameter
a) up to 900 kg (2,000 lbs.)
47 mm (1 7/8 in.)
b) up to 2,270 kg (5,000 lbs.)
51.2 mm (2 in.)
c) up to 4,540 kg (10,000 lbs.)
58 mm (2 5/16 in.)
Can I tow two trailers with one vehicle?
- You may tow more than one trailer. However, towing two
trailers behind a car or light pickup truck increases instability
in towing and in braking. To make sure all the vehicles are
stable, the lead trailer must have at least two axles or be a
fifth wheel or goose neck trailer. For example, if you are towing
a camper and a boat, the camper must have two axles and must tow
the boat.
Fifth wheel trailers or trailers with goose neck hitches do not require two axles.
What are the maximum dimensions for my vehicle and trailer(s)?
- The total length of the vehicle and trailer(s) must not exceed 23 m (75 feet, six inches) and the width of any unit must not exceed 2.6 m (eight feet, six inches). The maximum length of a single trailer is 16.2 m (53 feet) and the maximum height allowed is four metres (13 feet, two inches).
- If your trailer is rated over 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs.) it
must have brakes on at least one axle if manufactured before
1985, and brakes on all axles if manufactured during or after
1985.
Some jurisdictions require brakes on trailers with a lower GVWR or all trailers regardless of weight. If you have a planned route, that jurisdiction should be contacted for brake information.
A motorhome towing a motor vehcile must have operational brakes on the towed vehicle if the towed vehicle exceeds 40 per cent of the GVWR of the motorhome with the towed motor vehcile weight not to exceed a maximum of 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs.).
Tongue or surge brakes may be used on trailers with electric brakes if the GVWR is 2,800 kg (6,160 lbs.) or less, and on trailers with non-electric brakes if the GVWR is 3,700 kg (8,140 lbs.) or less. For heavier loads, all trailer brakes must be controlled by the brake pedal of the towing vehicle.
Can I use electric brakes on my trailer?
- Electric brakes are comparatively inexpensive and easy to install and hook up. However, together with extra trailer lamps, they put an additional load on the electrical system of the towing vehicle. Maintaining electrical brake systems, including the break-away device, in proper balance and in good operating condition can be difficult and, therefore, their use with heavier trailers is not recommended.
What are the legal restrictions on electric brakes?
- Electric brakes are not permitted on trailers
manufactured after June 30, 1987, if:
the trailer has a single axle and the total weight of the trailer is more than 3,700 kg (8,200 lbs.);
the trailer has two or more axles and the total weight of the loaded trailer is more than 5,500 kg (12,100 lbs.)
- One of the most dangerous things that can happen
when a trailer is being towed is accidental
disconnection or break-away. This can cause a serious
accident. To prevent break-aways, every trailer must
have another means of attachment in addition to the main
hitch. A safety chain or chains is one of the best forms
of back-up protection.
Chains must be attached to the tongue of the trailer, not to the coupler, and must be looped and crossed under the tongue. The chain should also be attached to the towing vehicle's frame or something firmly attached to the frame.
Another way to prevent break-away accidents is to have an automatic braking device that activates the brakes if the trailer separates from the towing vehicle. This is required on all trailers over 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs.). It slows the trailer and limits the distance it will travel on its own.
What lighting do I need for my trailer?
- Trailers must be equipped with rear-facing brake, tail and signal lights, as far apart as is practical. If red lenses are used over the lights, all three requirements can be met using one lighting unit.
What lighting do I need for my wide trailer?
- If the trailer is over 2,060 mm (81 inches)
wide, it must have four clearance lights at the
widest part of the trailer; two amber lights facing
front and two red lights facing rear.
Wide trailers must also have three identification lights facing rear: one at the centre of the trailer with the other two as close to the centre as is practical.
What lighting do I need for my long trailer?
- Side marker lights, amber at the front corners and red at the rear corners, are required on trailers more than four metres (13 feet) in length and manufactured after 1971.
Do I need reflectors on my trailer?
- Trailer tail lights, rear clearance lights and side marker lights must have reflective lenses, or the trailer must be equipped with additional reflectors in these locations.
Do I need a licence plate light on my trailer?
- The license plate on the trailer must be illuminated.
Do I need mudflaps on my trailer?
- To reduce the rearward spray of stones, mud or snow, the full width of the rear trailer tires must be protected by the fender, mud flap, or body overhang.
Should I change the tire pressure on my towing vehicle?
- Heavier loads may require higher tire pressure. Because the tires on the towing vehicle must carry the extra load, they should be correctly inflated (check your vehicle owner's manual or tire sidewall for pressure ranges).
What should I do for general maintenance on my trailer?
- Each of the following trailer
components should be inspected each
year:
- ball lubrication
- tire pressure and condition
- wheels, nuts and wheel bearings
- hitch, for: 1) ease of connection and 2) security locking lever
- safety chains
- electrical wiring
- brake linings and brake hoses
- operation of all lights
- condition of frame
- battery (for electric brakes)
- soap all liquid propane gas lines for leaks
- fire extinguisher
Before each trip, check the following:
- tires
- hitch
- safety chains
- lights
- lighting and brake connectors
- pull the trailer and apply brakes to ensure proper operation
- position of mirrors, and adjust if required, so driver has clear view of the road behind
