Those sway videos really showed me effect of weight distribution! Thanks!

Great information. I always try to encourage people on Facebook who ask the inevitable question "Can my vehicle tow XYZ safely?" You and you alone are responsible to know your tow vehicle's ability to tow and to know and understand your weight limits. Whether you are towing a teardrop, a travel trailer, a fifth wheel, or a conventional box trailer, you must do the math. "Someone on Facebook told me I could pull my 16,000 lb fifth wheel with my F150" is not a valid defense in court. Do the math! Do the math! Do the math! oh if you need another reminder: Do the math! Good to see you, Drew. Have a happy and safe Winter. Merry Christmas!

I so appreciate your videos! And I can’t believe how timely this one is. I am headed to TC Teardrops TOMORROW to pick up my new teardrop. And I was just thinking, gee it’s been a few years since I towed a camper… I really need a little refresher. 😊 Thank you!

That was a good video! When I got my first trailer, but I knew about balance & tongue weight. When Axle was dead centered I knew I was going to have an issue; one day loaded up for a craft show, got on I95 & once I got moving, the sway started, yet I knew just to slow down it stop right away. You practice & be aware of how your vehicle & trailer react together. I corrected it later by pushed the my Axle back 6" inches & never had the issue again (4'x8' trailer). Right Now, I'm in the middle of converting it into a mini Camper, outside is mostly done, winter is here, going to start on the inside with installing insulation. I will be posting this on KZfaq later on. Always remember this "camper people" Never be in a hurry to go Nowhere!

I love my Subaru Outback, but I’ve never towed with it before. The Outback is good on dirt and gravel roads. It would be interesting to hear a long term review of the Outback Wilderness and how it tows.

I am an advocate for brakes on any trailer. Good towing advice. I have experienced first hand a little of the “tail wagging the dog” when I loaded my utility trailer with too much weight on the back/rear.

@Playing with Sticks regarding weather to get trailer brakes, the thing I tell people is that you can't plan for bad weather (eg. Torrential downpours, strong winds) or sudden accidents you need to brake for. Having the extra braking power is always nice to have and it also saves wear and tear on your tow vehicle's brakes and transmission. Anything over 600lbs I will always try to get with brakes. Id rather be safe than sorry.

install brakes on the trailer! even if it's not legally required, so it can slow itself down instead of fully relying on the car so it can help shorten the stopping distance, also helps when the trailer's getting away from you to apply some drag to keep it in line.

Another tip: I use a cheap tyre pressure sensor kit from Ebay meant for a motorcycle (two wheels) and it's saved an expensive tyre from being destroyed and possibly worse. My camper's so light that I didn't even notice that it was pulling to one side when it got a puncture. Speaking of, I found that the driver to passenger side weight distribution is also worth keeping in mind. I greatly underestimated the effect that the loaded fridge, a 20L jerry can of water and a 20L solar shower would have on stability. Again speaking of, even though I don't require them by law here in Australia on my 650kg/1433lb GTM squaredrop, my electric trailer brakes saved my bacon when the camper started moving around because I could use them to slow it and then pull it straight ahead again. I won't tow a camper without them in future. My McHitch fully articulating hitch would have also helped the unstable camper tugging on my Jeep too much. Yet again speaking of, McHitch and especially DO35 hitches have become the (almost) default upgrade from a ball hitch over here because they are extremely easy to use and they are extremely robust. I don't see them much on KZfaq - do you see them much in the USA?

My tow vehicle is my 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx XT. 2.4 turbo, 260 hp. My trailer is a 2023 Jayco Jayflight 195RB Baja. Axle is flipped for off-road, so it rides high. I put a four inch lift hitch on - factory installed receiver. Makes trailer almost level when towing. Two trips so far, very comfortable. Not much of an angle change in Subaru with the trailer connected. Did have to convert the four pin connector that came with the tow package to a 7/4 combo (have a small flatbed trailer also). Added a Redarc trailer brake controller. Tow limit is 3500, Jayco is 3100, so am maxed, no room for extra goodies. Not a problem, used to be tent campers.

This is a great video! Thank you for sharing your experience with the community. I appreciate you giving the channel a shout out too!! Safe travels everyone! -Brian

Very Sound Advice. Now that I have used an articulating hitch for a smaller trailer I really do like the articulating hitch.

That Subaru and Bean combo is a really sharp looking setup!

I am guessing your Outback can tow 3500 pounds? The Bean I assume is around 2000lbs? In all of the tiny camper groups, so many questions in regards to “what can I safely tow” and is 3500 rated enough for towing through mountains. Any chance of a video covering the basics of what to look for when buying a tear drop or tiny camper and a proper tow video?

Love the new setup! Do you feel like the wilderness tows it with ease as far as longevity of the cvt? I have a tag boondock XL and am in the market for a new car and would love the outback wilderness but am also considering a Nissan frontier or a Tacoma

Thank you for sharing your experiences & knowledge. Even with me being 60 years old, you brought up some tips that I didn't think of. In the past I've always used larger vehicles for towing & now that I have a smaller vehicle I really need to pay attention better.

Thank you for the safety tips! Your videos are always so informative and helpful! 👏🏼🙌🏼

Great video Drew, it was very informative. I would like to add my two cents if I could. In regards to the ball height to the trailer it is very important. And you can always shop around for a different( lift or drop)size ball hitch usually they’re sold in 1 inch increments. The key is to keep the trailer as level as possible when in tow. when you described the trailer is having a lot of “sway”, That could mean that the clamping mechanism on your ball hitch is worn out and needs to be replaced. And as far as bottoming out when you pull into gas stations and driveways, if you take an angled approach to the driveway you should be able to avoid bottoming out. Good luck, drive safe, and keep on camping.

If you ever find yourself in the Bay Area, we are happy to host your family, and happy to go adventures in the area.

Drew: Valuable information in all four of the videos in the "How to Stay Save and Security in your RV" playlist. We have yet to actually pick-up, and start camping in our Teardrop, but are really looking forward to it. Here's a possible suggestion for a fifth, that I've not been able to find info online specific to Tiny Trailers. Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Detectors, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, and Explosive Gas Detectors. Being an old Navy Vet, all are topics dear to my heart. I've found the "Element" fire extinguisher. It's smaller, lasts longer, and is supposedly non-toxic and breathable. Something you pray you never have to use, but are lucky you have it when you need it. Still trying to decide if I will need to install any of the detectors. I know the propane tank is located on the outside of the trailer, and that the trailer is small enough that if there is a fire we should be able to notice and get out, as long as we are conscious. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for this. You guys are the best.

Thanks Drew - another great video and super informative. I also heard that the wheel base of the tow vehicle is important for towing due to stability (hence a 4D jeep can tow almost twice what a 2D can). I'm going to pick up my offroad teardrop this coming summer (can't wait!!!!) and towing has been a huge concern, so thanks again for this video. I'll be getting the articulating hitch and have a decent lift both on the tow vehicle and trailer (both have 35" tires). Next up is to see how brave I'll be on the Colorado jeep trails with a trailer in tow (shelf road switch backs will be a ways off)!

Thanks for all the good info!

Thanks for the helpful post!

Thanks, you’ve guided us on our way, well when we get that Teardrop. We’ll be ready

My goodness Drew your scenery is so different to ours in the UK .. thanks it all sounds sensible but watching the model trailer was a very good lesson

Thank you for this wonderful advice! And I love your alt national parks shirt!

Great info! Thanks for the video!

When were you in the Bighorns? We went there in mid August - our first non National Park vacation since 2010. Really helped us to slow down and just enjoy the wilderness as we didn't feel a need to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn to get parking spots. Even had a couple rather grand waterfalls and pools all to ourselves for a good 30 minutes.

Great video! I love the scenery! Lots of good tips!

Once again great info for little teardrops. Thx

Super informative, great work!

Great tips, thanks so much!

Great video. Love the driving demo of model cars! Cheers

Never thought of towing capacity as being about braking limits . Smart .

2 thumbs up ... great information!

Thanks again for a great video.

I've always been hesitant to tow a travel trailer, which is why I originally opted for a small class C motor home. I know you probably didn't intend this effect, but this video is making me think twice about towing anything. There is so much to consider. As it stands, I just load my rig and go. I feel as if I should just stick to that at this point. Gross weight, tongue weight, dry weight, backing up - might be too many tricks for an old dog to learn. 😄

I was waiting for this video as I’m off to pick up my trillium trailer soon!!!

Andre is correct. Good advice.

How would you feel towing the Black Bean with your Subaru Outback Wilderness? Do you think it would be okay given the extra weight compared to the Bean Stock? Thanks.

Like the shirt Drew. Another informative video. Thanks!

Great towing Tips Drew. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving !

Hmmm. Someone's not in Kansas any longer. Hope you are all doing well.

Love that Alt-NPS shirt! :)

Wow I didn’t realise you aren’t required to have trailer brakes. Here in Australia it is law to have elec trailer brakes on anything you are towing over 750kg. I have mine set on manual so I can dial up or down for more ‘grab’ if I think I need it but I’m very conservative driver and always slow down prior to braking anyway, to save brakes as well as trailer coming behind, and give me time to factor in any unexpected things- like possibility of other drivers being unsafe!😂like passing unsafely or rushing up fast passing.....great video!

Just discovered your channel and am enjoying it. One thing I'd love to see is labels of some of the scenery, just brief subtitles telling at least the region, if not the specific park. Thanks!

“Bean” missing ya. Ehhh. Good video. I always think about towing and all that cramp on my y brain 🧠 I have not ever towed anything (except as passenger) Not a Wilderness, but we have the 2020 Onyx XR edition. I sure want to tow a Bean and hit the trails. I can learn so much from you. Thank you God bless

I'm coming up on 10 years towing my 5x8 over 2 vehicles. While I have been easily able to "dial" it in on both, if I was to do it over again I'd go with trailer brakes. Nothing settles down a squirrely trailer quite like a jab on the trailer brakes. That and don't drive so fast, eh?

Its also trailer weight to car weight. Especially in wind. If wind is pushing your trailer around and it weight more than your tow vehicle its going to drag you around.

As I look at the hitch and extended ball in this video, it looks like the hitch may not be the factory wilderness type? Ours is higher and the rear cover had to be removed to allow for direct bolt on to the frame itself. In our 2022 Wilderness the cover was also notched to allow for the new hitch.

Generally I agree with your safe towing recommendations. When you recommend that you 'get the tow ball closer to the back of the vehicle', it would be more accurate to say, 'get your tow ball closer to the rear axle of your tow vehicle'.

Measuring trailer weights. Total trailer weight is the weight on the tongue added to the weight on the wheels. Weight on the tongue for most small campers can be measured close enough with a simple bathroom scale under the tongue jack with the camper disconnected - the closer the jack is to the trailer’s hitch, the more accurate it is showing the weight on the car’s hitch - don’t go over the scale’s limit. The “Trailers weight on the wheels” can be measured a couple ways for a nominal fee at CAT scales along truck routes, or at many dumps, recycle centers, and metal scrap yards. With more work it can also be measured using a bathroom scale and leverage beams that divides the weight seen by the scale (search terms like weighing heavy objects wo a big scale). The “Total trailer weight” is both weight on the tongue and the weight on the wheels.

Awesome video! Question. With your Subaru I assume you have the 3500lb tow rating. Was just wondering - what would you say should be a Max unloaded trailer/camper weight for it? Keen to understand what you can realistically tow with it…

Looking at taking my tiny trailer on its first snow camping trip. Have you ever used chains for the teardrop or are they unnecessary? Tow vehicle is Honda Pilot 4WD with dedicated winter tires.

My jeep will sit higher than my teardrop. Does anyone have recommendations about using drop hitches or good options to consider? I want it to feel secure and ultimately be safe.

thumbs up👍

When driving on the Interstate (70mph), what are your thoughts about being in DRIVE (and allowing the transmission to automatically shift gears) vs being in MANUAL (shifting on your own, but still an automatic transmission)?? hope that question makes sense. We tow a T@B 320 with a 4Runner.

What cross bars did you end up going with for your OBW

Please show us Thailand!

As a former owner of a Subaru, please baby it and watch out for that CVT transmission

My max tongue weight on my hitch is 600lbs. Trailer weight is 4700 lbs, which means my tongue weight is 660lbs. I use weight distribution bars. Is that 60 lbs really a big problem?

Hi， I am an amazon seller, may i know how to contact you and talk with u about my winter heated clothing?

no your wrong getting a bigger car to tow the heavier trailer because of weight, your car can be installing a set of air bags or overload springs to make up the weight on towing . my brother has a small suv, and his rating on the trailer was a little to much for the tougue cap. we installed 2500# air bags from air lift, that 1250# each side, on 100 psi lift max lift. he runs 40 psi giving him an extra 1000 pound cap. . added to this lifting set up, he maintains a perfect ride on/off the road . we even added a larger cap. trans pan tank , extra 2.5 qts. cap pan on the transmission, from PML trans pans in inglewood,ca and we went even better to install a set of 8" electric brakes in the trailer for added stopping distance. one more thing is , OLDS SCHOOL, things, in the drums of each brake drum we drilled 2 holes in the sides of the brake drums at 5 and 7 o'clock on the bottom of the drum to release wet or mud to drain out of the drums, in wet weather. as far as wheel bearing the best is BUDDY BEARING MADE FOR BOAT TRAILERS. THESE BEARING CAN BE FIX WITH A SIMPLE LOADING THE BEARING WITH GREASE FROM THE FRONT OF THE BEARING AND ALSO HELPS THE KEEP THE BEARINGS FREE OF DIRT AND WATER IN THE BEARINGS. you extended the tongue hitch thats ok but you should have shortened the trailer hitch instead, looking at your hitch on the trailer you need to cut the hitch on the trailer and move it back to the v point or beginning of where the steel pin is, time out 9.01 ? also on all riding hitch height should be at or around 16" min at center of the ball , from the ground up. GLYDER TORSION HITCH are bad, shortening the trailer hitch is all you need, the GLYDER TORSION HITCH does help in the pivot but when towing down the road highway the torsion hitch make a bouncing feel causing vibration in the trailer and the suspension of the car pulling the trailer. and why buy it it cost between 198.00 to as high as 300.00 , when all you need to do is shortenten the trailer one cut safe the money for gas??????? this design was first made in Austraila for the off roader in mind, made no sense !!!

Speaking of safety, please tell Kevin that stabbing toward his groin with a knife is bad feng shui. Yikes

Extending the hitch also increases tongue weight. The weight of the extention needs to be added into your tongue weight calculations. Happy trails.

I gotta ask... Who sleeps in the Roof top tent

Your video is so well researched but you couldn't be bothered to confirm what Andres name was? Hopefully you were just being lazy instead of pretentious.