Frequently Asked Questions

Theoretically speaking, you can use a car (or any type of motor vehicle in general) to tow a camper trailer. Some camper trailers are designed to tow behind motorbikes For most cars, the best that they can tow are the lightweight trailers. That said, any vehicle can be used to tow a camper trailer, but there are some basic requirements that should be in place. First, the car should have a proper trailer hitch installed. Second, its engine should be powerful enough to tow the camper trailer’s overall weight. Third, the car’s chassis should be strong enough to handle the added tension from pulling the trailer. 

To sum it up, you can theoretically tow a camper trailer with a car. However, it is possible that your car may not be up for the task of doing it, especially if you plan to go cross-country on less-than-ideal road conditions.

You don’t necessarily need to get a 4×4 car to tow a camper trailer. However, there are many reasons why 4×4 vehicles are usually the ones that are used in combination with campers. First, their standard equipment (chassis, engine, etc.) have the ideal specs to haul even the heavier trailers even in rough terrain. Also, their 4-wheel drive systems enable these cars to have superior traction, a must when pulling heavy loads in tough conditions. Lastly, a lot of these 4×4 machines can be customised to make them fit for purposes such as safari travel. 

You don’t need a 4×4 to tow a camper trailer, but they are more often than not the vehicles best equipped for such a task. Plus, given the purpose of using campers, using an all-terrain car with your camper might be in your best interest.

Electronic brakes help in slowing down a camper, either independently or simultaneously as you slow down your car. These brakes are automatically applied by your car’s brake controller and can be manually applied using a controller that is installed close to the driver. Electronic brakes are commonly featured in camper trailers that are at least 750 kilograms. It is legally required in all trailers with a GTM of at least 2000 kilograms. 

Nonetheless, even if your trailer’s weight is below the mandated requirement, you can benefit from getting a trailer with electric brakes as standard equipment, as it adds safety. You would need to hook up the electronic brake system of the trailer into your car for it to work.

As long as you know how to use camper trailers, it should not be all that difficult to set up your camper trailer. Over the years, setting up camper trailers have become much easier than before. Many camper makers have made it a point to make setting up as easy as possible to help make their products as accessible to as many people as possible.

Simpler campers would only take a few minutes to completely set up. On the flipside, larger campers with multiple peripheral accessories will take at least an hour to fully deploy. 

The ease of setting up camper trailers is generally dependent on the size and the number of accessories available. However, today’s campers are now much easier to set up relative to their counterparts from previous years. The process of setup and packing away can be potentially challenging for some, but it’s all part of the full experience of enjoying the camper trailer lifestyle.

As mentioned earlier, setting up a camper depends on the size and complexity of your trailer. Simpler models would only take a few minutes to get fully deployed, while the more complete ones would require a few hours (and sometimes a few extra hands) to set up. Regardless, today’s campers won’t require you to spend all day (or all night) to set up, so that is a plus.

Camper trailer thefts are becoming such a major concern these days, so I think it is important to touch on this topic. There are two ways that a theft can be committed: the entire trailer can be stolen or the trailer is broken into and have its contents pilfered. 

To secure your trailer, you can use a combination of wheel and hitch locks to prevent would-be thieves from getting away with your camper. As for the contents of your camper, simply locking the access areas can go a long way in preventing theft. You can also use any of the numerous anti-theft devices coming out of the market recently.

It is required by law to have your camper trailer registered, regardless if you purchased it brand new or from the secondhand market. You are required to register your camper in your state of residence if you purchased a new trailer that has never been registered, a used trailer that was previously registered to a different person, or if you have moved from a different state or country. For your reference, make sure to check the registration requirements in your state. A pre-registration inspection is also required.

There are some states that require camper trailers that pass certain parameters to be insured in order to complete registration. However, even if your registration doesn’t require you to have your trailer insured, you can still greatly benefit from purchasing camper trailer insurance. 

Getting insurance will provide you much-needed coverage for most adverse events that may happen while you are using your trailer. Whether it is still covered by warranty or not, proper insurance cover is a sound investment for any camper trailer owner.

Just like with any insurance policy, the price of camper trailer insurance is generally directly proportional to the level of coverage they provide. However, there are other factors that can come into play that can either help or hurt your chances for a favorable rate. 

Factors that can affect the price of your quote include the market value of your camper, any discounts and bonuses you might get, and your record as a driver. The average price that you will pay for insurance annually ranges from $500 – 1000. To get the best deal, it is generally recommended to get quotes from multiple insurance providers. 

Camper trailers, when purchased brand new, are generally covered by warranty. The coverage of these warranties can vary from brand to brand, so we recommend that you read the fine print before you complete the purchase. What’s usually covered in camper warranty are parts and workmanship; the warranty will cover repair and replacement if there are any defects that are encountered during otherwise normal use. 

However, this warranty can be voided if the damage is proven to be caused by improper use, accidents, neglect, theft, or other similar situations. The warranty can also be potentially voided if it’s seen that inappropriate modifications or work done by non-authorised personnel by the brand are present.

One of the keys for optimised trailer performance and longevity is regular maintenance. So the question is this: how often should you have your camper serviced for maintenance? The recommendations can differ from brand to brand. However, we strongly suggest that you follow the maintenance schedule suggested by your manufacturer. 

If you own a secondhand camper or your warranty has already lapsed, the rule of thumb is to have your camper subjected to general service every 5,000 kilometers. Wheel alignment should be regularly checked, especially for campers that regularly go on off-road terrains

Pulling an overloaded camper trailer can be extremely dangerous. Not only can you seriously damage your trailer and your vehicle this way, but you could also increase the risk of accidents, which can endanger you and others. 

When loading up your trailer, you have to look beyond the hauling capacity of your car. You should also look at the max gross weight of your hitch and the tongue weight. Also, you should avoid going beyond the carrying limit of your trailer. If you are unsure, check the manual of both your trailer and your vehicle.

One of the risks of camping trips is the outside chance that something could go wrong. Your car or trailer might break down or any of your crew members can get sick or hurt. If such a scenario arises, it is important that you know what to do in case of emergency. 

The first thing you should do is call 000. This will call for appropriate emergency services such as police, fire, or medics. It is also considered essential that you have a first aid kit, a tool set, and emergency food and water supply when you are traveling long distances. You can also read about safety information for travelers prior to going out.