The Full-Time RVer’s Guide to Towing your RV

If you’re reading this because you’re dreaming about going full-time—first of all, I get it. The freedom, the sunsets, the “we can go anywhere” feeling… it’s addictive in the best way.

We’ve been living this life for five years as a family. We’ve learned a lot the fun way like finding hidden gem boondocking spots)… and we’ve learned a lot the hard way too.

Especially when it comes to towing. Because towing isn’t just “hook up and head out.” It’s the part of RV life that impacts everything: safety, stress levels, breakdowns, blowouts, accidents, and whether your family feels calm… or clenched the entire drive.

And we know that firsthand.

In 2022, we were driving through the outer belt of Washington DC, someone rear ended us from behind at about 55mph. Needless to say this was a HUGE shock and rocked our world for well over 1.5 years. We were forced to put it into the autobody shop for 12 months, while we had to buy another RV and live in that while it was getting fixed. We bought a fifthwheel bunkhouse thinking we would stay in that, and turns out we learned that we actually preferred the Toyhualer.

When we got it back, we sold the new fifth wheel we bought, and we moved back into the Toyhauler. Nine months after we moved back into it, we found ourselves stranded in the middle of a Lavender Field at a Harvest Host when the slide would NOT come back in!

Special thanks for RV Fix, they helped us get the slide in remotely (YES, crazy right?!) and we finally figured out the frame was compromised. This led us getting into our Brinkley RV.

So let’s get into the practical stuff—without the fluff—and I’ll share what we’d tell our best friends if they were about to go full-time.

1) Understand the “Alphabet Soup” of RV Weights (Before You Buy Anything)

These numbers aren’t suggestions. They’re limits.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): the absolute max your truck or trailer can weigh when fully loaded.

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): the max your truck + trailer can weigh together.

Payload Capacity: this is the one that messes people up. Payload includes people, pets, cargo, AND hitch/tongue/pin weight.

What we’d tell you straight-up:
Don’t let a salesperson tell you “You’ll be fine.” Verify the numbers yourself (door sticker + manual), or talk to an RV specialist who actually understands towing.

Because the goal isn’t “can it pull it?”
The goal is “can it pull it safely, comfortably, and without being maxed out.”

Here are are some examples:

"I have a 38 ft. fifth wheel, that weights 10,000 lbs what truck do I need?"- We would tell you, "can you get away with a 250?" sure. However, if you want more payload, you will want to consider a 350. Also factor in- often times people trade in their RV within 6-12 months when they realize they might need a different floorplan. The last thing you want to do is have to upgrade the truck if you are going bigger.

"We are considering getting a Brinkley Model G, what Truck do we need?" - You need a Dually, hands down. Why? It'd over 20,000 lbs, and you will not regret it.

Tip: Do your homework on your hitch- it matters. We are so thankful we had the B & W FifthWheel Companion hitch- we do believe this saved our family from the impact it had on our truck. No regrets! We now have the Gen-Y Hitch Gooseneck Hitch on our Brinkley RV, very trusted and a great brand, and we get our truck bed back!

2) Get the Right Gear (This Is Not the Place to Skimp)

If towing is the science, your hitch and suspension are the foundation.

If you’re towing a travel trailer:

Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH): helps level the load so your steering and braking stay stable.

Sway control: wind + semis + uneven loading can create sway fast. Built-in sway control or friction sway control helps reduce that “tail wagging the dog” feeling.

If you’re towing heavy (or you’re noticing squat):

Suspension help can be a game-changer. Products like Timbren SES (or other suspension upgrades) can improve handling, reduce sway, and make the drive feel less white-knuckle.

Real talk:
Being under-equipped can turn a normal drive into a stressful one… and stress makes mistakes more likely.

3) How You Load Your RV Matters More Than People Realize

Your RV is your home, so it’s natural to pack it like one. But loading affects stability a lot.

Here are two simple rules we live by:

Keep heavy stuff low and centered (over the axles or slightly forward).

The 10–15% rule: tongue weight should typically be about 10–15% of total trailer weight (travel trailers).

Too light up front = more sway risk. Or if you are like us, with a dually, we don’t deal with sway.

Tip: Weight yourself on the Cat Scale- position your rig so the truck's front axle is on the first platform, drive axle on the second, and RV axle(s) on the third, ensuring all wheels are on the scale. Use the Weigh My Truck app to get weights directly on your phone

4) Tech We Consider Non-Negotiable Now

There’s tech that’s nice to have… and tech that can truly save you.

Brake controller: helps your trailer brakes match your truck brakes (huge for control and stopping distance).

RV-safe GPS: not all roads are RV roads. RV-specific routing helps you avoid low bridges and restricted routes.

Dashcam: we used to think “we should get one.” Now we believe “you need one.”

Backup camera: stress reducer in campgrounds and tight fuel stations.

5) Road Skills: The Peeples and Places Way

This is what we teach friends when they ask, “Okay… but how do you actually drive this thing?”

Downhill grades: use tow/haul + engine braking. Don’t ride your brakes.

Crosswinds: if it feels sketchy, it is sketchy. Pull over. Waiting an hour is better than risking your family.

Backing: find an empty parking lot and practice. Small adjustments. Slow is smooth.

Turning: If you are a double axle and you are trying to clear something- a good rule of thumb is to make sure your front tire is past the object. If it’s a triple axle, make sure your 2nd tire clears the object.

The Part People Forget: Insurance for Full-Time RV Living

This is the section I really want you to read if you’re about to go full-time.

A lot of people assume:
“I have RV insurance. I’m good.”
But full-time RV life can change what you need—because your RV isn’t just a vehicle. It’s also your house.

Here are the big coverage types to look for (and ask your agent about):

1) Full-Timer’s Liability (The “This Is Our Home” Coverage)

This is similar to homeowner’s liability, but for people who live in their RV full-time. It can help if someone gets hurt “at your home” (your campsite), like:

a guest trips on your steps

a kid gets hurt near your setup

someone claims property damage connected to your site

2) Personal Belongings Coverage

Full-timers carry way more stuff than weekenders:

laptops, cameras, homeschool supplies

clothes for seasons

tools, equipment, outdoor gear

Solar set up

Make sure your personal belongings coverage limit actually matches real life.

Tip: make a video of all the things you have in your RV just incase.

3) Emergency Expense Coverage

If your rig becomes unlivable after an accident (or major damage), this can help with:

hotels

food

temporary transportation

We were lucky- when we were in our accident, we could still live in it-but we had to stay put. Displacement is not cheap, and even fulltime RV insurance the max isn’t much.

4) Total Loss Replacement / Agreed Value (Depending on Your Rig)

Some policies pay actual cash value (depreciation). Others offer options that can protect you more if your RV is totaled.
This is especially important with newer rigs or custom upgrades.

Eventually after 1 year and 9 months, our Toyhauler was totaled, and they did pay out exactly what we paid for it back in 2021.

5) Roadside Assistance (But Make Sure It’s RV-Capable)

Not all roadside plans cover towing a large rig, mobile techs, or heavy-duty recovery. Confirm:

towing distance

tire service for RV tires (we get our tires from Discount Tire (great warranty program)

whether they’ll come to you (not “nearest service station” only)

What we’d tell you to do today:

Ask your agent one direct question:

“If we live in our RV full-time, does our policy cover us like a home—and would it cover hotel/living expenses if our RV is not drivable?”

If there’s hesitation, you’ve learned something important.

We had coach net and the first time we got stuck it was while boondocking, and we quickly learned that they were not coming to save us because we were not on a highway or a few miles from one. So we did cancel it.

But as for support when it comes to getting things fixed, and having support from anywhere in the country when something goes wrong, we love RX Fix!

Final Thoughts

Towing confidence isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being prepared.

When your weights are right, your gear is solid, your tech is set up, and your insurance actually matches your lifestyle… the whole RV dream feels lighter. Safer. More fun.

And that’s the goal: more peace, less panic.