How to Choose the Right Tow Truck for My RV

Towing boat trailers behind RVs (Recreational Vehicles) and travel trailers has become a common practice. Some people are even going as far as having a truck tow their travel trailers while also towing their boats behind them – an act known in the towing business as triple-towing. While it’s certainly convenient in saving time and fuel in the long run, these unique towing approaches include risks that must be managed carefully.

You’ve invested a lot of time and money in your recreational vehicle (RV), so you do your best to keep it in mint condition for those long trips you plan to take in it. However, any vehicle is prone to the occasional breakdown, even one that features a built-in kitchen, bathroom and pull-down bed for sleeping.

All of those added amenities add size and weight to your vehicle, meaning that you will need more than a typical wrecker to tow your RV safely off the road in an emergency situation. What type of a tow truck is required to perform this task? To ensure that the towing company has the right truck for your RV, here are a few things you should keep in mind when you seek towing services:

Understand Your Needs

To identify the right tow truck for the job, you need to know some basic information about your RV. Key considerations include size and weight of your vehicle. When communicating with the wrecker service, be sure to mention the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of your RV so the dispatcher can send a vehicle large enough to meet your needs.The GCWR identifies the maximum allowable combined mass of your road vehicle, a key factor in providing the upsized tow truck needed to get your RV safely off the road and to a repair center so you can continue your journey. 

Verify the Tow Truck’s Drive System

Four-wheel drive trucks are powerful, but you will want a two-wheel drive vehicle to tow your RV. Contrary to what you might expect, a heavier truck has a lower towing capacity because it weighs more. The 4WD vehicle weighs 400 pounds more than its 2WD counterpart, making the 2WD option the better option for towing your disabled RV. 

Verify the Tow Truck’s Transmission

You will want a tow truck with an automatic transmission to haul your RV.  Trucks with automatic transmissions offer higher tow ratings than vehicles with standard transmissions and are less distracting to operate because its transmission will shift automatically. This allows the driver to focus more on the road and the cargo than on changing gears while going uphill or downhill, which can be challenging when towing such a large load. 

Verify the Maximum Towing Capacity of the Truck

Even if the truck has a strong frame, a top-notch suspension system and a powerful engine, it’s essential that the truck’s maximum towing capacity exceeds the weight of your recreational vehicle. Pulling heavy cargo can cause brake fade, tire failure or an overheated engine. It’s vital that the towing company has a truck capable of meeting the needs of your unique situation. That always will be the case at Euless B&B Wrecker, where our extensive fleet of vehicles allows us to service stranded motorists driving buses and RVs, semi trucks, antique cars and any other type of towing need.   

Trust Euless B&B Wrecker with Your RV Towing Needs

If your RV breaks down in Dallas-Fort Worth or on other roads throughout North Texas, don’t hesitate to contact Euless B&B Wrecker Service immediately. Our company has been towing a wide variety of vehicles for more than six decades and has the necessary equipment and to get your RV out of any jam. We also provide excellent heavy haul trucking, roadside assistance and equipment transport. When you need our help, call us at 817-857-6344 and our customer service representatives will dispatch our quick response team to your location immediately.