Trailer RV Insights: Things to Consider Between the Front and Rear Cars

Can I use my Corolla for towing? Can an ordinary SUV be used for towing? Is it necessary for the front vehicle to have a non-load-bearing body for towing? These are some common questions about trailer RVs. When it comes to trailer RVs, considerations extend beyond insulation, soundproofing, and sleeping comfort. Factors such as the weight distribution between the front and rear cars and the towing capacity of the front car are crucial.

What cars can tow a trailer RV?

Many online media outlets and even some sellers claim that any vehicle with a displacement of 1.6L or above can tow a trailer. However, towing capacity needs to consider factors such as vehicle power, vehicle weight, and the pressure the rear suspension can bear. For example, some vehicles may have a displacement exceeding 2.0L but have a high weight, resulting in poor power response. Towing a trailer may lead to difficulties climbing slopes and increased fuel consumption. Additionally, some vehicles have soft rear suspensions, compressing excessively when towing, causing the trailer body to be uneven, leading to decreased driving stability.

For towing trailer RVs, the most recommended vehicles are pickups and off-road vehicles with non-load-bearing bodies and sturdy chassis beams. Non-load-bearing bodies have robust chassis beams that better absorb shocks. Pickups or off-road vehicles have larger weights, effectively suppressing the impact of towing on the front car. Moreover, their rear axles, often in the form of integral bridges, have superior load-bearing performance, allowing them to tow heavier RVs.

While SUVs and sedans can tow trailer RVs, it doesn't necessarily mean they are suitable. Many trailer RVs can be pulled by a person alone. One might wonder why many trailer RVs in Europe are towed by sedans. The RV camping industry in Europe developed earlier, and the RV designs are more mature, emphasizing lightweight construction. European imported RVs with a length of around 7 meters have a total weight of only about 1100-1300kg. Furthermore, Europe and North America have clear safety standards for towed trailer RVs. They require the main body weight of the trailer to be borne by the mid-axis and have specific requirements for the downward pressure of the towing ball: European standards generally require the downward pressure of the towing frame to be 7% of the trailer's weight, while North America requires around 10%.

Additionally, due to the early development of the RV camping industry in Europe, many European cars were designed with towing trailer RVs in mind. They have hidden installation positions for trailer hitch balls and power interfaces inside the rear bumper. Therefore, many European imported cars or joint venture brand sedans and SUVs inherently have the qualifications for towing lighter trailer RVs. For instance, the Elddis 550, with a weight of only 1300kg, can be towed by a Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan according to European standards. However, it's essential to check the vehicle's user manual to confirm its towing capabilities.

What to consider when towing a trailer?

Firstly, pay attention to the weight distribution between the front and rear cars, the rear car's weight, and the braking force applied to prevent the "jackknife effect." The jackknife effect refers to the situation where the trailer pushes the towing vehicle forward, causing the rear of the towing vehicle to rotate, or even turning it around. This effect typically occurs during emergency braking, downhill driving, or when braking while turning. The main reason is that current trailer braking systems have two types: collision braking and electronic braking. Regardless of the type, the towing vehicle brakes first, followed by the trailer. Although the time interval between the front and rear car braking is small, usually in milliseconds or even microseconds, there is still a time gap. Therefore, at the instant when there is a time gap between the braking of the front and rear cars, the rear car will exert a pushing force on the front car. If the overall weight of the trailer is heavy, the front car may not be able to control the rear car. If there happens to be a certain angular deviation between the front and rear cars at this time, the rear car may cause a certain degree of rotation at the rear of the front car, or even directly cause the front car to turn around. Therefore, when using a trailer RV, it is necessary to place items as much as possible in the front car to reduce the weight of the rear car. Moreover, it is essential to minimize situations requiring heavy braking to prevent the "jackknife effect."

Furthermore, attention should be paid to the weight distribution between the front and rear cars, driving speed, and the prevention of the "death wobble." The "death wobble" refers to the violent and high-frequency left and right swings generated by the trailer RV while driving. When the frequency of the swing reaches a certain value, it may cause the vehicle to lose control. The main reason for the "death wobble" is that the vehicle's balance state changes due to certain external influences. Generally, sudden crosswinds, unreasonable vehicle weight distribution, and excessively high driving speeds can cause the vehicle's balance state to change. Therefore, during actual use, it is necessary to evenly distribute items to the front and rear storage compartments as much as possible. Additionally, when towing a trailer, try to maintain a speed of no more than 90km/h on highways. If a "death wobble" has already occurred, you can release the brakes appropriately and lightly step on the accelerator to give the vehicle a new forward force, thereby resolving the "death wobble."

In conclusion, towing a trailer RV essentially creates an automotive train with front and rear cars, leading to more considerations during use. Before departure, it's crucial to distribute item weights reasonably, check the trailer's braking system, and understand the weather conditions. During the journey, controlling the speed, observing road conditions in advance, and maintaining a larger following distance than usual are essential.