Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your new CrossRoads RV.

Selecting Your Tow Vehicle

If possible, it's a good idea to choose your travel trailer or fifth wheel before buying your tow vehicle. Too many times consumers find they are greatly limited with the RV they can buy because of the restricted capabilities of some truck-based vehicles. Not all trucks can tow the same weight.

Truck manufacturers determine a truck tow rating, which is the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can safely tow. Your CrossRoads dealer will help you determine the tow weight of your selection and will direct you to the types of car dealerships to work with in selecting your tow vehicle. Always work with your truck dealership to make your final selection based of the automobile manufacturers tow ratings. Once you have narrowed your truck selection, confirm with your RV dealer to check the tow rating before you buy it to make sure it is a match. Every year, new truck models are available to tow CrossRoads products - so you won't have a hard time finding one to meet your needs.

Also keep in mind that the tow rating for a hitch receiver and the tow rating for a vehicle are two different things. A tow hitch receiver is often capable of towing more than a vehicle frame can handle. The tow rating for the hitch receiver must be more than what you are towing. So be sure to do your homework. New trucks offer options for upgraded tow packages that include upgraded suspension, brakes, tires and cooling systems that may best meet your towing needs.

Be sure to answer these questions when selecting your tow vehicle.

• How often do you plan to tow?
• How much weight will you be towing?
• Is this vehicle going to be used for both towing and everyday driving?
• Are you looking to buy a travel trailer or a fifth wheel (they have different hitch setups and requirements)?

Determining Your Towable Weight

• Dry Weight – the weight of the unit with all standard equipment.
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – The total permissible weight this trailer is capable of carrying including cargo, water, options, etc.
• Carrying Capacity – The Gross Vehicle Weight rating minus the Dry Weight, water, LP & options.

To determine the weight your vehicle must tow: Dry Weight + Options + Anticipated Cargo = Actual Towed Weight

Some motorized vehicles are not good tow vehicles because they cannot adequately control sway in the towed vehicle. Ask your RV dealer to help you determine your tow weight and suggested vehicles.

Note that the GVWR often labeled on the outside of a unit is not the actual weight of the trailer. The GVWR is simply the maximum total weight that the axles, brakes, tires and other components can support. The Actual Towed Weight should always be less than the GVWR. Ask your dealer for more information.

Never go by the Actual Towed Weight printed in the RV manufacturer's brochure. This weight does not include options of the final product you may buy. If you are looking at an RV on the lot, look inside the back of a cabinet door for the weight of a particular unit as it left the factory before options.

Your tow rating from the vehicle manufacturer is based on when the tow vehicle is empty. Therefore, any weight that will be in your tow vehicle at the time of towing must be reduced from your tow rating. For example if cargo, people and extra fuel tanks equal 1000 lbs., you must deduct that 1,000 lbs. from your vehicle tow rating. Likewise, be sure to add any extra weight you will be hauling in your RV to your Gross Trailer Weight. This extra RV weight needs to include options, cargo, water, LP gas and any extra accessories added to your RV. Adding these weight factors into your final calculations and will help you match the right tow vehicle to your RV selection.

Towing Your RV

Once you have selected the right tow vehicle, the next step is selecting the right hitch work for your RV. Your dealer will guide you through this process. Here are a few pointers.

Make sure to choose a hitch that does not have a tongue weight rating that exceeds what is recommended. Doing so may result in damage to your trailer frame.

There are many factors that can cause sway or side-to-side motion of your RV such as improper loading, improper hitching, crosswinds, large trucks passing you, etc. If sway occurs, contact your dealer to make sure proper sway controls are aligned with your hitch setup.

Do not raise the fifth wheel jacks until you are sure the kingpin is fully engaged and locked in place in the fifth wheel hitch.

If your tow vehicle has a separate amber turn signal, it will require a special adapter to allow your trailer lights to function properly. This adapter may be purchased from your dealer.

Safety regulations require that a safety chain be crossed under the tongue and hitch to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the event of a hitch or coupling failure.

The breakaway switch is intended for emergency use only. Do not use the switch as an emergency brake for the fifth wheel when parked.

Click here for more information about towing procedures.

Driving Your RV

Learning to drive with your travel trailer behind you is easier than you think. It is certainly easier than driving a motor coach because you are simply driving a truck while towing a unit hitched to the back. Once you learn to manage and negotiate the towed trailer, you are ready to roll. Usually after a few days you will be comfortable.

Recreation vehicles do not require a commercial driver's license for personal use. In some states, the very largest RVs may require a special test for a different class of driver's license. Ask your dealer about this.

As you set forth on your journey with your towable behind you, Check Woodbury of newrver.com recommends taking the following steps.

• Adjust and use all rear and side-view mirrors. Before leaving on a trip, sit in the driver's seat and adjust all mirrors for optimal road views.
• Account for your vehicle size when turning. The front and rear wheels will track paths much farther apart than those of a car.
• Allow more time to brake, change lanes and enter a busy highway, since bigger vehicles take more time to accelerate and slow down.
• Back up with care. It is a good idea to have someone outside the vehicle assist the driver in backing up to avoid any obstacles not seen in the mirrors. If another person is not available, the driver should inspect the area behind the vehicle. By evaluating the situation before backing up, drivers can avoid surprises and accidents.
• Match the proper tow vehicle to your RV.Check the owner's manual to find the trailer types that your vehicle can haul and the maximum load weight it can pull.
• Use the right trailer hitch and make sure it is hitched correctly.
• Connect brakes and signal lights. Always check that the trailer's brakes, turn signals and taillights are synchronized with that of your tow vehicle.
• Make every trip a safer one by buckling up your safety belt and making sure passengers are secured.
• Don't speed. Speeding will put more stress on your tow vehicle and components. Slow down when on loose or wet surfaces.
• Read your tow vehicle owners manual for proper gear selection when towing.
• Avoid sudden stops or sudden steering movements, as they may cause the trailer to jackknife or slide. Allow more time for stops than you normally would.
• Allow more time for acceleration when passing. Shift out of overdrive gear as necessary. Only pass on level surfaces - not hills or downgrades.
• Make wider turns to accommodate the trailer's axles. Always watch for tail swing, low structures, limbs, and utility hookups.
• Keep tires inflated so that all tread has firm, normal contact with the road. All tread should have road contact while not distorting the tread configuration.

Backing Up Your RV

Backing up with your towable RV attached is a little awkward at first. Here are some pointers to help you.

• Use your drivers side, looking outside your window, to back into your spot. Mirrors are sometimes difficult to take in the full range view - so by turning at a slight angle into the driver's side you can see where you are going. Don't back in using the passengers side for your angle - you won't be able to see. There is no sense looking over your shoulder to see the front of your trailer.
• To turn your RV to the left - turn your wheel to the right. It is opposite of what you have always learned and takes practice to get used to, but is easy once you get it down. It is helpful to have someone stand in front of you, facing you, who can clearly see where the unit needs to go. If they say the back end needs to go to their right, turn your wheel to the right. Likewise if they say left, turn left. That way you are turning the wheel the opposite the direction needed (i.e. their right is your left, but you will be turning the wheel right).
• Shorter trailers are not necessarily easier to back than longer ones. Shorter trailers react more quickly to the wheel - so take smaller, slower movements.
• Move slow and don't hold the wheel in the same position for too long, as it will be hard to correct and straighten.
• Always use a spotter when backing up. They will see things you cannot. Make sure you can see them and know how to communicate with them during movement - and do what they say.
• If not using a spotter, inspect the area where you are going before backing up to make sure you know the obstacles to overcome.

Operating Jacks

Before using the jacks, make sure to chock the wheels on both sides of the fifth wheel. Place chocks both in front and behind the wheels. Always retract the jacks fully before towing the fifth wheel.

When hitching the fifth wheel to the tow vehicle, do not raise the jacks until you are sure that the fifth wheel is securely latched into position in the tow vehicle hitch.

When the jacks reach their maximum extended or retracted length (or maximum load), you will hear a clicking noise. This is the overriding clutch built into the motor to prevent jack over-extension or retraction. Release the toggle switch as soon as you hear the clicking. Continued operation with the clutch slipping can damage the jacks.

Do not attempt to use the hand crank at the same time the electric drive motor is being used. Remove the hand crank when using the motor.

Do not attempt to use the stabilizer jacks to raise or lower the trailer, or use them to support the total weight of your trailer. The jacks are only meant to stabilize your trailer in a level position. Attempting to raise the trailer by use of the stabilizer jack can cause damage to the jack, trailer frame, or both.

If after leveling, the entrance door to the trailer sticks, you have most likely lifted one side of the trailer excessively, causing a binding condition on the frame. If this condition exists, lower the trailer and relevel to a proper balance.

LP Gas System

Make sure that the tank is not filled above the 80% liquid level. If the tank has been overfilled, make sure the LP supplier bleeds out the excess. Overfilling the LP gas container does not allow for the necessary 20% vapor expansion space that can result in uncontrolled gas flow which can cause fire or explosion.

Never alter the position of the LP regulator. LP gas regulators must always be installed with the diaphragm vent facing downward.

If freeze-up does occur, shut off the LP gas at the tank. A frozen regulator may permit LP gas to flow at high pressure, resulting in leaks at appliances or in the lines. Never attempt to thaw with an open flame. A small light bulb can sometimes be useful to provide heat and aid the thawing process. Have the system checked by your LP supplier if freeze-up continues.

Do not store LP gas containers inside the RV. LP gas containers are equipped with safety devices which relieve excessive pressure by discharging gas into the atmosphere.

Water and Drainage

Always fill the fresh water tank with clean drinkable water from a known safe source. Make sure to close the fill spout when the tank is filled. Also, always fill the system with a hose or bucket that you know is clean and is used only for this purpose.

When trying to drain the entire onboard fresh water system, make sure to open faucets, water heater drain, and system low point drains to remove all fresh water from the system.

When filling the fresh water system, you may want to add additional water to the tank to replace the water used when filling the hot water tank and water lines.

It is important to note that harmful and toxic materials can accumulate if the holding tanks are not regularly drained and thoroughly rinsed.

If connecting to a campsite sewer inlet, do not open termination valves until tanks are 3/4 full. Do not keep the black water valve open while parked. Wastes are not flushed directly into the sewer system. Only liquid waste is drained, therefore, water must accumulate, and chemicals in the tank need time to break down solids before they can be released. If draining the gray water tank directly into a sewer inlet while parked, make sure to close the termination valve for a period of time before leaving, allowing some water to accumulate in the tank to use for flushing the drain line and flexible hose.

Always drain the water heater after a trip - after the water and pressure has cooled.

Refrigerator Tips

Most RVs come with standard 6 cubic foot refrigerators. If you will be doing longer trips, consider upgrading to an 8 cubic foot refrigerator. Other refrigerator tips are:

• Turn the refrigerator on several hours before putting food in it. Put cold food in your refrigerator before leaving. Warm food will affect the overall temperature performance.
• Don't pack food too close together. Air is needed to circulate in order for the temperature to remain constant.
• Don't open the door too frequently or leave it open for long periods of time.
• Try to park in shaded areas for optimal performance.
• When not using the refrigerator for long periods of time, leave the door propped open to avoid mildew and odor from forming.

Miscellaneous Tips

• Antennas and front steps are the most common of RV replacements. Create strategies to remind yourself to put these away before moving on. For example, hang your keys on your antenna so you can't leave without seeing the antenna.
• Never leave your awning extended if you will be away from your campsite for a long period of time. A storm, wind, or rain can cause significant, costly damage.
• Only use extension cords that are compatible with RV electrical systems.
• Utilize a digital voltmeter to monitor the AC voltage throughout your camping trip. This can help protect all of your electrical equipment and appliances. If the voltage level provided from your campsite drops below 105 volts, turn off your appliances until the level returns to normal.
• After you unhitch your trailer, remove the hitch head or trailer ball mount and secure it if it doesn't have a locking mechanism.
• Keep tires properly inflated. The two leading causes for tire failure are overloading and under inflation.
• Hide spare keys where you can get to them in case you lose your main set.
• Regularly conduct safety checks of the tow bar, base-plate, safety cables and light plug when you make stops.
• Know the height of your vehicle and be aware of clearing bridges and low hanging obstacles.
• Eighty percent of all towing related accidents happen when going downhill. It takes three times longer to stop than if you were on a flat surface.