How to Haul an RV With a Class A Semi Truck
A-Class recreational vehicles (RVs) are the largest family of RVs.Some are more than 40 feet long. Coach conversions weigh many tons. Consequently, hauling an A-Class RV with a semi truck requires special skills. In some cases, special licensing is also required because a towed A-Class will be an unbraked load. Your contractor should be an expert driver and a specialized RV hauler. He will have a dedicated "low-boy" trailer and a full array of auxiliary lighting and devices to secure your RV. Take the following steps before handing over your RV.
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Instructions
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Verify that your contractor has an authority number issued by the United States Department of Transportion and is licensed for interstate hauling by the federal government. The driver should carry liability insurance for loads up to 250,000 pounds, which covers loss and damages of at least $1 million. Your contractor should be bonded against losses caused by any fault, including his own.
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Verify that your RV does not violate the regulations of any location through which it will be towed. Typically, any towed load longer than 43 feet, wider than 8½ feet or higher than 13½ feet will require special permits.
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Leave no valuables inside the RV. Stow and secure everything inside the vehicle. Close and lock all doors, drawers and windows. Drain water and holding tanks. Leave the fuel tank as close to empty as practical.
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Make sure your vehicle is fit to be towed if it will be towed on its own axles. The tires should have sufficient tread and be properly inflated. The tail, brake, turn and side marker lights must all be functional and clean. The axle bearings and wheel bearings must be properly greased. Close and secure the roof vents. Stow and lock the awnings. Do not overload the interior. This could cause your RV to exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
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Tips & Warnings
Because RVs are typically not used as heavily as everyday vehicles, RV roadside recovery packages are comparatively cheap. If you have a roadside recovery package, your provider will have access to a database of tow companies able to deal safely with your vehicle.
Towing any large vehicle is a particular skill. If your RV is being towed because of a breakdown while you are using it as a residence, your home is effectively being towed. Do not allow budgetary concerns to outweigh the need to use a specialist with dedicated equipment.
No vehicle with an automatic transmission can be towed with the drive wheels on the ground because it will damage the gearbox. Damage is particularly bad when the vehicle is shifted from reverse to neutral immediately prior to being towed. If your hauler intends to use a spectacle ramp, even to tow the RV a few yards, the drive axle must be disconnected from the transmission, Do this by disconnecting a universal joint between the gearbox and the drive axle.
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- Photo Credit rv image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
