Traveling in style with a tiny home RV is a great option for people who need to move frequently or are unsure of how long they will stay in one place. Enjoy a flexible living situation that can be taken with you wherever your job or duties require you to go.

But let’s be real. You can’t just pick up a tiny house and go. You need to know how to move it. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row before you roll out.

Preparation and planning are paramount before towing your tiny house RV, as it can be intimidating for those who have never done it before.

In this article, we will provide you with the information you need to tow your tiny house safely and successfully while enjoying your travels.

Safety First

First things first, let’s talk about safety. Before you even think about setting off with your tiny house RV, you need to confirm the towing safety numbers for both your tiny home RV and your towing vehicle. Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science—just check the Tumbleweed data plate (in the closet) or the sticker on the tongue. In most trucks, you can find all the info you need in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb.

You will need the following 5 weight ratings:

1. The dry weight of your tiny house RV
2. The tongue weight of your tiny house RV
3. The empty weight of your tow vehicle
4. The GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight) of your tow vehicle
5. The tongue weight capacity of your tow vehicle

It’s crucial to make sure that all of these numbers are within the recommended range to avoid any accidents or mishaps while towing. Trust me, you don’t want to skimp on this step. If you load your towing vehicle with more weight than it’s rated for, let’s just say you will be pretty dissatisfied with the outcome when you hit the road.

First, make sure that the tongue weight capacity of your tow vehicle is (5) MORE THAN the tongue weight of your tiny house RV (2)

Second, confirm that your truck can safely pull the tiny house. The GCVW (4) must be MORE THAN the dry weight of your tiny house RV (1) plus the empty weight of your tow vehicle (3)

Prepare for Departure

Now that we’ve got the boring stuff out of the way, let’s move on to the fun part – preparing your Tumbleweed tiny house for the journey.

Close and lock all windows and skylights, secure loose items, and disconnect the power cord, water hoses, sewer lines, and cable/internet connections. Shut off the main breaker in the electrical panel and empty the water tank, making sure the water tank drain is closed. You don’t want anything water or bugs getting in through a crack while on the road.

The Hookup

Next, it’s time to get your tiny house RV hooked up to your towing vehicle:

1. First, make sure your tow vehicle is strong enough to pull that tiny house of yours as instructed above.
2. Next up, install a proper tow ball mount on your truck and add some trailer wheel chocks to keep everything in place. Retract the stabilizer jacks on your RV and use the manual hitch crank to raise the trailer hitch above the tow ball.
3. Align the tow ball and lower the hitch onto it using the manual hitch jack handle. And don’t forget to connect those safety chains, the trailer’s electrical umbilical cord, and the breakaway cable to your tow vehicle.

Alright, we’re almost ready to take to the streets!

Testing, Testing, Testing

So you’ve hooked up your tiny house RV to your tow vehicle, and you’re ready to embark on your adventure. But before you do, it’s crucial to test all the lights and brakes to make sure everything is working as it should. Have one person stand behind the tiny house RV while the other person hits the brakes and activates the turn signals.

You should see the lights on the tiny house RV come on and hear a loud “hum” coming from each wheel when the brakes are applied. If everything looks and sounds good, you’re good to go! Don’t forget to double-check everything before leaving. You don’t want any surprises on your trip, and you definitely don’t want to be driving down the highway without the tiny house RV brakes connected.

Finally Underway

Finally, you can get on the road—just drive safely. But sometimes unexpected things happen that make the journey longer or more tedious. A common problem is a flat tire, a simple issue like that can cause a lot of frustration. Make sure you check out: How to Change a Flat Tire on Your Tiny House RV, to be on top of the situation.

Having chosen your destination, make sure you know the laws in the state you’re in, and the provisions for where to park a tiny house. If you’re staying at an RV park, follow the rules. And if you’re parking on someone else’s property, get permission first and be a good neighbor. Park properly to save yourself and your neighbors any stress or heartache.

Here are excellent tips and info on how and where to park a tiny house when you get to your desired location: How to Park Your Tiny House.

The cost of towing a tiny house RV depends on several factors, including

• The distance you need to travel, and
• Whether you hire a professional towing company or do it yourself.

If you use a professional company, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the distance and any additional services you may need.

If you plan on doing the towing yourself, you’ll need to consider the cost of fuel for your tow vehicle, as well as any necessary repairs or maintenance.
Additionally, you’ll need to factor in any other expenses related to your trips, such as food and entertainment. Jenna and Guillaume traveled over 15,000 miles with their tiny house, and they gave a full breakdown of their monthly expenses in this article: Cost of Towing a Tiny House RV. So go ahead and check it out.

In conclusion, traveling tiny house style, and learning to tow your unique home can be an adventure if you prepare properly. Confirm the towing safety numbers, prep your RV, and hook everything up right. Test the lights and brakes before you set off. And don’t forget to follow the rules and regulations at your destination, know where to park, and look for ways to save money on the journey. Happy towing!