How to Attach a Camper to a Truck
Getting back to nature is a fun way to spend time with family, and a camping trip is an inexpensive way to take a vacation. A camper, or RV, allows you to take your accommodations with you, no matter where you go, and your family can enjoy all the comforts of home while on the road. The only drawback to a camper is that you have to pull it behind your vehicle, and hooking up the towing mechanisms can be a tricky job.
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Instructions
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Raise the camper up so that the tow bar is an inch or two above the height of the trailer hitch. Have a family member or friend use hand signals to guide you while you back the truck up to the camper, inching backward once you are close to the trailer. Get the trailer hitch and tow bar lined up as perfectly as possible, taking into account that your truck will move a bit when you put it in park.
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Lower the camper until the socket of the tow bar fits snugly over the ball on the trailer hitch. If you are having difficulty getting them to fit perfectly, you or a helper can stand on the tow bar to use your weight to jiggle the pieces into place. It can also help to inch the truck forward until the pieces lock.
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Lock the hitch together, and attach the tow chains to the vehicle and the camper. Connect the wiring for brake lights and electricity, if needed. Double-check that everything on the camper is secured and no braking mechanisms are engaged.
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Check the brake lights on the camper to ensure they are working properly. You can receive a ticket if the lights do not work. Drive a short distance to make sure everything is in working order, then do one final check on all the components before setting off.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have never towed a camper before, head to an empty parking lot to practice driving before you attempt the open road. Braking, turning and backing up are very different when you are towing a boat or camper. For backing up, it is helpful to have someone guide you. You can also add extra large towing mirrors to your vehicle to make it easier to see when you are towing a camper.
Check your vehicle's owner's manual to ensure that you can safely tow the weight of the camper and gear. Also pay careful attention to the height of the camper to avoid getting stuck or damaging the camper in low-clearance areas.
