Toy Hauler Loading Tips

Bringing along powersports vehicles can be a great way to add even more fun and adventure to your next camping trip. If you do this often enough, it might be worth investing in a toy hauler so you don’t have to worry about towing an RV and a loaded trailer. You’ll have everything you need in one place. However, you’ll want to make sure you can load your vehicles properly so you can travel stress-free and efficiently

That’s why Zabukovic RV has provided some tips for loading your toy hauler for the first time. Take a look for yourself and let us know if you need more advice. 

Or, if you still need a rig, stop by our location to check out some quality toy haulers for sale near the Colorado Springs – Cheyenne Mountain area, CO. We are conveniently located in Pueblo, so stop by today.

Prepare your Toy Hauler

Checking your toy hauler for problem areas is going to be a lot easier without the powersports vehicles loaded, so do this ahead of time. This should include all the basic checks you’d made before any RV trip. This should definitely include a tire check. Compromised tires can make for a serious road hazard, so make sure they’re properly inflated, as recommended in your owner’s manual, and free of damage. Take a moment to test all your lights as well, including headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.

Distributing the Weight

When you’re thinking about loading the vehicles, always keep weight distribution in mind. You’ll need to use the 60/40 method, which means 60% of the overall weight should be in the front half, closer to the hitch (with 10-12% of the total weight resting on top of the hitch itself), and the remaining 40% taper off the back. You’ll also want the weight to be distributed evenly from side to side.

Loading

When it’s finally time to load the toy hauler, set the loading ramp so you have the smallest angle you can achieve. This way, you won’t have to hit the gas too hard to get the vehicle into the RV. Also, make sure the toy hauler is in the park position and the wheels are chocked so there won’t be any shifting as you’re working. Drive up the ramp as slowly and carefully as possible until the entire vehicle is all the way in the garage and then turn off the engine. Never leave the vehicle running in a small space as it creates a carbon monoxide hazard.

Secure the Vehicle

The final step is to secure the vehicle. Your toy hauler probably comes with a few D-rings for this purpose, although you can always install more as needed. We recommend using ratchet straps as they press down on the vehicle’s natural suspension to keep it in place. Give the strap a good tug and the whole thing a good shake to make sure everything is secure and won’t roll around in transit.

We highly recommend practicing this ahead of time so you’re more confident on the big day. Pretty soon, you’ll start to feel like a pro, but if you need help in the meantime, stop by Zabukovic RV in Pueblo, CO, and let our friendly staff know how we can assist you. We welcome all those in Colorado City.