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Inexperienced people think the job’s done once the trailer is hooked up. I think there’s a lot more to towing a travel trailer safely. It’s more a matter of common sense than anything else.

I’m a believer in checking, double-checking and checking once more. My family sometimes gets impatient with me but, then, I’ve never had an accident with an RV

I make sure the coupling, itself, is secure. I check the safety chains, the break-away safety and the electrical hookup.

Part of checking the electrical hookup is checking all the lights. I turn on the parking lights on the tow vehicle and have someone stand behind the trailer. I have them confirm to me that the running lights and tail lights are working. Together, we test each turn signal as well as the brake lights. If they’re not working, I don’t drive!

I go inside the trailer and make sure everything that needs to be secured is secure. I check all the cupboard doors and drawers. Any doors must be locked in place. Anything that could fall is secured.

I like to walk around the trailer twice. The first time, I check all the compartment doors to make sure they’re all locked. I also make sure the trailer steps are folded up and out of the way. On this trip around the trailer, I check all the hookups again. I make sure the truck mirrors are adjusted for trailer towing

The second time around, I try to get at least 30 feet away so I can easily see under the trailer to the other side. I have discovered things hanging down that needed to be secured. Other times, I have noticed something lying on the ground that needed to be picked up. It’s during this once-around that I check to make sure the truck and trailer are level.

It may seem like unnecessary overkill. However, I have found something wrong just often enough to make me keep on doing it.

In the name of safety, I recommend you do the same!