Know your towing capacity

If you’re towing a trailer, make sure the vehicle and hitch have the towing capacity required to tow the trailer and load. Towing is hard on your transmission, especially when you’re climbing steep highways like the Coquihalla in the Interior and the Icefields Parkway in the Rockies between Jasper and Lake Louise. Checking your towing capacity before you leave will not only prevent an inconvenient trip interruption but possibly an expensive repair down the road as well. Here’s a guide to help you find your RV’s tow rating capacity. 

Check your tires and wheel bearings

The majority of BCAA Roadside Assistance calls for RVs and trailers are for tires and wheel bearings. It’s easy to see why: RVs and trailers sit still for months every year and are often exposed to conditions that can compromise the rubber material, such as harsh winter weather or direct sunlight. As a result, RV and trailer tires tend to suffer from dry rot, which can be very dangerous if left unchecked. 

Tires

RV tires have an estimated shelf life of five-to-seven years before the rubber starts breaking down. If you see any small cracks in your tire rubber, best to replace that tire before it blows. Swap them out before they wreck your road trip. And be sure to check your tire pressure. Low pressure can cause tires to overheat and potentially explode. Inflate your tires and always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation for ideal tire pressure. To get an accurate reading, check the pressure when your tires are cold. Here's our ultimate tire guide for more tire tips. Top tip: BCAA Members save 5% on all products and services at Kal Tire.   

Wheel bearings

Most wheel bearing and axle problems, especially for trailers, are caused by contamination and lack of lubrication to the bearings. Plus, boat trailers have the added problem of water intrusion. This can cause accelerated wear, overheating and, in some cases, catching fire (!) while you’re driving. If unchecked, your hub and wheel assembly could break away from your trailer and cause an accident. Be safe and get your trailer checked before you tow.

Test your batteries

When your RV sits for months, your battery can become sulphated and reverse the state of its charge. We recommend you charge and test your engine and accessory batteries before you hit the highway. Here's more info on how to prepare your battery for summer. 

Service your cooling system

Get your cooling system checked before you hit the road. That’s because summer heat, compounded by steep hills and mountain passes, can really strain your engine. You can also protect your RV engine by driving slower, especially when you’re climbing hills. Trying to rush your RV or fully loaded trailer wastes gas and can cause your engine to overheat. Always carry an extra jug of antifreeze or water.

Inspect your interior

Open your RV or trailer doors and windows to air it out. Look for signs of rodents or water damage. Turn on your furnace, fridge and water heater to ensure that everything is in good working order.

Inspect your windows

Check your windows, frames, seals and ledges – inside and out – for any signs of water damage. Seal or patch up any holes and leaks. If you find extensive damage, consult a certified RV technician.

Flush your water lines

Before you put your RV in storage, you probably winterized your water tanks with non-toxic RV antifreeze. Now it’s time to de-winterize and flush your lines. Turn on the water pump and all your faucets (inside and out). Let them run a few minutes to purge the antifreeze and watch for leaks.

Fill your tank to avoid an overheated fuel pump

Make sure your gas tank is at least half full. This will keep your electric fuel pump from getting too hot and stalling out. Also, a fuller tank of gas helps if you get stuck in highway traffic due to an incident or road closure.

Early detection

Check your carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector and fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers usually last about 15 years. If you can’t see an expiry date or inspection sticker, test the extinguisher handle and nozzle. If they wobble or look cracked, it’s time to get a new fire extinguisher.

Propane

Propane tanks need to be recertified every 10 years. See if yours has expired and get a propane detector to alert you to dangerous leaks.

Review your BCAA Membership coverage

Be sure to review your BCAA Membership plan and check that you’ve got RV coverage added in case of the unexpected. Make sure you know what you’re covered for, including the towing distance you may need.  

For those venturing further, you may want to consider a Premier Membership (with RV coverage added), which provides up to 320 kilometres of towing distance.

However far you travel, save on all your summer drives by getting 3¢/L off fuel at Shell. Make life even easier by adding your BCAA Membership to the Shell App and pay from your phone using Shell EasyPay™ . While you’re filling up, stock up on treats and keep your RV sparkling with 10% off car washes and in-store purchases at participating Shell stations.

Check for provincial emergency notifications

With the high demand for travel during the summer and some communities working hard to respond to emergencies and evacuations due to wildfires, it's essential to prepare before you go and consider the destinations you are travelling to. Before you travel, check for emergency updates at Emergency Info BC’s website.

Once your recreational vehicle is ready for the open road, we’ll see you around the lakes and campsites! Do you have any top RV tips? Share them and discover more about living your best life in BC in our new online community, BCAA Connect.  

Before you hit the road, download the BCAA App for faster access to roadside assistance and exclusive Member savings near you. Not a BCAA Member yet? Join now! 

^{*10% Member savings applied only to the labour portion on applicable services and repairs. Discount applied before applicable taxes and fees. Cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon. Valid BCAA Membership required. Subject to change without notice, some conditions apply, see in-store for full details.}