Vancouver Axle & Frame Ltd

Commercial Vehicle and RV Alignments and Repairs

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Services
    • Our Team
    • Job Openings
    • Our Facility
    • Photo Gallery
    • Videos
  • Blog
    • Specials
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Ask Beau
  • (604) 882-5112
  Top Quality Since 1959Surry Air Conditioning Service   Surrey BC Job Opportunities
  • Alignment
    • Bee Line Laser Wheel Alignment
    • Medium Duty Truck Alignment (Single Axle 2-5 Ton)
    • Heavy Duty Alignment (Commercial Transport)
    • Industrial Alignment (Cranes & Heavy Equipment)
  • Suspension
    • Leaf Springs
    • Coil Springs
    • Air-Ride
      • Pac-Brake Air Suspension Kits
    • Timbren Suspension Upgrades
    • Reyco Granning Suspension
  • Drivetrain
    • Driveshaft Modification
    • Differentials
  • Brakes
    • Air Brakes
    • Hydraulic Brakes
    • Electric Brakes
  • Inspections
    • Provincial Vehicle Safety Inspection
      • First Time Registered BC
      • Private Vehicle Inspection
      • Commercial Vehicle Inspection
    • Federal Vehicle Safety Inspections
      • Brake Timing Test
      • NSM Certification
  • Collision & Frame
    • Collision Repair
    • Frame Alterations
      • Lengthenings
        (NSM Certification)
      • Shortenings
        (NSM Certification)
      • GVW Upgrade
        (NSM Certification)
      • Installation of Multiple Axles (NSM Certification)
      • Wheelbase Modifications
  • Maintenance
    • A Service
    • B Service
    • Lube & Oil (Express Lube)
    • Air Conditioning Service & Repair
  • Parts
    • RV Parts
      • RV Shocks & Springs
        • Sumo Springs Rear
        • Lippert Shock Mount Kit
      • Stabilizers & Hitches
        • Roadmaster Stabilizer Bar
        • Safe-T-Plus Steering Stabilizer
        • Blue Ox Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch
        • Blue Ox SwayPro-Weight Distribution Hitch
        • Blue Ox Super Ride 20K
      • RV Tow Bars
        • Blue Ox Ascent Tow Bar
        • Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar
        • Blue Ox Alpha Towbar
      • RV Product Request Form
      • Trailer Axle Order Form (RV Based)
    • U-Joint
    • U-Bolt Order Form
    • Leaf Spring Order Form
    • Coil Spring Order Form
    • Axle Order Form
    • Frame Steel Order Form
  • Heavy Duty Truck Repair
  • Vehicle Modifications
  • RVs
  • Fleet Maintenance

RV Safety: How to Match Your Truck to Your Trailer

June 18, 2019 by

When it comes to towing an RV Trailer, safety is paramount. Beyond mitigating sway by choosing a proper stabilizer, and buying the best brake controller for your vehicle, determining what size trailer you can tow is perhaps the most critical component in maximizing your safety on the open road. We are going to give you the basics on how to match your truck to your trailer.

Weight Ratings: GCWR and GVWR

So what size RV trailer can you tow? It all comes down to weight.Typically found on a federal compliance label, the following weight ratings all play an important role in helping you determine what size trailer your vehicle you can safely tow.

  • GCWR or Gross Combined Weight Rating is the overall combined weight of both the truck and trailer. Typically, only vehicles that tow or are expected to tow will have a GCWR.
  • GVWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum operating weight of the vehicle, or the distinct and maximum weight of each vehicle when loaded with “stuff”. Every vehicle in operation will have a GVWR.

Determining Maximum Trailer Weight

Knowing the weight ratings for both your towing vehicle and trailer is the first step in determining viable weight measures. Next, look at your towing or trailering guide. Find the GCWR of your vehicle as well as the maximum loaded trailer weight. Subtract the maximum loaded trailer weight from the GCWR of your truck or vehicle to determine the maximum amount your truck can weigh in order to haul a certain trailer.

It’s important to note that ratings provided on federal compliance labels apply to base models only. To get the most accurate maximum loaded trailer weight, ensure that you account for added vehicle weigh. You can stop by any weigh station, recycling center or grainery to determine the true weight of your truck. Additional factors that affect weight in your truck or trailer include, but are no limited to:

  • Option weight (e.g. power seats)
  • Passengers
  • Hitch
  • Pin or tongue weight
  • Cargo (e.g. coolers, bikes, firewood, luggage, etc)

Then, once you’ve determined your “true truck weight”, subtract that number from the GCWR originally found on your truck’s federal compliance label and you will get the maximum weight of trailer that you can tow with your towing vehicle.

Other Important Weight Ratings

There are other important weight ratings to consider when matching your towing vehicle to a trailer. These include:

  • Fifth Wheel Hitch
  • Brake controller
  • Sway Controller

These critical components of trailering all come with their unique and distinct weight maximums that should be considered in the overall GCWR.

RV Safety - Tow Vehicle

Key Takeaways

In summary, here are the four critical steps in determining whether or not your towing vehicle can safely tow a trailer.

  • Look at the Federal Compliance Label – Get information about your truck and trailer from the federal compliance labels on both vehicles. Note GCWR, GVWR and GAWR
  • Look at your Towing or Trailering Guide – Look closely at your tow vehicle’s towing or trailering guide to determine the GCWR and trailer’s maximum loaded trailer weight
  • Get the True Weight – Determine your towing vehicle’s true weight by taking it to a weigh station or recycling center with all desired cargo inside and all extra options accounted for.
  • Other Factors that Affect Weight – The fifth wheel hitch, brake controller and sway controller all play a role in both weight and safety.
    Keep This In Mind – Remember that as weight is added to your towing vehicle, the weight of the trailer must decrease to stay within the safety limit.

Finally, remember that weight ratings are safety ratings. Always plan ahead to ensure that you stay within the recommended weight ratings. Doing so will ensure a smooth ride for you and all of your passengers and others on the road.

RV Safety Is Priority at VanAxle

At VanAxle, RV safety is our priority. Whether you need help choosing a tow bar or would like consultation on trailer weight safety relative to your towing vehicle, we’re here to help. Stop in soon or contact us at 604-882-5112.

Blue Ox Tow Bars
View the RV Parts that we stock:  Tow Bars, Hitches & Stabilizers, Shocks & Springs.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, Blue Ox Tow Bars Tagged With: Blue Ox Tow Bars, Hitches, Maximum Trailer Weight, Recreations Vehicles, RV Safety, Surrey Preventive Maintenance, Tow Bar, Towing

Get Preventive Maintenance for Your RV Before Your Summer Travel

August 10, 2015 by

Ahh, the freedom of RVing. Visiting new places on your own terms. Pulling up and powering up when and where you want. Cooking your own food indoors or over a fire.

Surrey RV Preventive Maintenance

Surrey RV Preventive Maintenance

The dark side of RVing, like owning any vehicle, is unexpected mechanical failure. Emergency repairs are stressful and often dangerous and expensive.

If you can’t afford maintenance, you can’t afford to own an RV

Ignore or delay maintenance of your RV, and you’ll at least pay more in time and trouble.

Preventive Maintenance (PM) checks on your RV are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction or failure of a part or system. 

Preventive Maintenance Tips for Your RV from Vancouver Axle: Systems Covered in our 58-Point Inspection & Diagnostic Road Test

Alignment:

Signs of a misaligned suspension in an RV include uneven tire wear, excessive vibration throughout the coach while towing, and lower gas mileage on your tow vehicle. Getting an alignment helps your tires run cooler and last longer. Beeline equipment offers an outstanding alignment. During an alignment, a technician gets a good view of your axle and suspension parts like leaf springs, bushings, air ride suspension systems, shocks, and more. An alignment job is a good time to have parts replaced if anything’s wrong.

Vancouver Axle inspects alignment, mounts tracking, and oil leaks.

Brake System:

With an RV, wear and tear on your brakes depends on your tow loads, whether you “summer” in your RV or live in your RV, miles drive, and how you brake (be gentle).

A common and potentially deadly brake failure situation is brake line failure. Front brake lines can look good on the outside, but if the brake hose has collapsed on the inside, they could shut off your brake fluid. If you bought your RV used, replace the front brake lines. It could save your life.

Electric brake systems have been standard on most trailers for decades. A few exceptions are hauling trailers, which use hydraulic, or surge, brakes, and some large fifth wheels, which use air brakes. Electric brakes do not self-adjust, so periodic adjustments are needed to keep shoes and drums correctly spaced. If your brakes get hot or don’t hold when you drive, your shoes may be dragging against the drum. A simple adjustment will correct it.

Vancouver Axle inspects pads, rotors, calipers, shoes, drums, hardware, brake hoses, fluids, ABS systems

Steering/Suspension:

Driving a Class A RV is like driving a bus and gets especially tricky on uneven roads, mountain roads and dips. When your RV becomes harder to steer, pulls to one side, continues to bounce after hitting a bump, driving can be uncomfortable and risky. From loose nuts and bolts, worn struts, loose power steering belts, to low levels of power steering fluid, an inspection is in order.

Vancouver Axle inspects kingpin, steering box, tie rods, ball joints, universal joints, springs, shocks, air bags, wheel balance, axle driveline analysis

Transmission

Shifting problems in your RV can have many causes—from a bad speed sensor to the worst case of needing to rebuild.

Check your transmission fluid level often. Notice a burnt smell? Is the internal filter clean? Is the color red (automatic transmission fluid usually is). Fluid that’s brown is dirty or burned and needs changing. Check shift linkage.

Get your transmission inspected before you go. An ethical shop will find the real problem, which might be a simple fix.

Vancouver Axle inspects fluids, leaks, mounts, hangers, and linkage

Engine:

Oil level and condition is critical to RV engine performance. Change oil and filter per factory recommendations. Fix leaks around the oil filter, oil pan, and rocker arm covers.

Flush and drain cooling systems at least every two years. Maintain radiators, radiator hoses, and water pumps. Fix leaks and loose connections. Hoses should feel firm, not soft or cracked. The battery should be clean with tight connections. Protect engine wiring, which can wear from engine movement or rough roads.

Vancouver Axle inspects hoses, belts, mounts, fluids, oil leaks, water leaks, battery, generator, radiator, coolant, air cleaners, oil levels, power steering, A/C compressor

Exterior:

Tires and wheels keep your RV in contact with the road. Prevent tire blowouts while RVing. A flat tire that shreds or throws pieces can do serious damage; if it creates sparks, you could have a fire.

Some Causes of Early Tire Failure:

  • Overloading Tires: Weigh your vehicle, fully loaded (including all passengers, cargo, and anything you tow behind the RV). It’s the only way to know for sure. Don’t exceed GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, and don’t exceed tire ratings. Weigh each axle end separately to ensure you’re not exceeding tire ratings and to assure loaded weight is properly distributed.
  • Underinflating: Check tire inflation daily with a quality gauge and adjust it each day that you move or drive your RV. The tires may look okay, but you can’t be sure until you check their pressure. Tires can lose up to two pounds of pressure per month. Always check tire pressure when cold; never when hot.
  • Exposure to Ozone and UV rays. Ozone in the air can cause dry rot—often prominent in sidewalls of tires. When not in use, cover your tires to block out UV rays.
  • Not Rotating Tires. Check manufacturer’s recommendations for schedule…but if one tire wears faster than another, have it checked.
  • Using Old Tires. Even if tires look good, check for dates of manufacture. Tires made in America show a DOT number on the inside sidewalls, which tells you how old the tires actually are (usually the last 3 or 4 digits; 0411 would mean the fourth week of 2011). If you buy a used RV and can’t find the DOT number, have them professionally inspected.
  • Rims should be free of dents. Tighten loose lug nuts.
  • Check wiring of external lights for tight connections, breaks, and signs of malfunction. Inspect your hitch for missing or damaged parts. Clean dirt and grease and apply fresh lubricant to all moving parts. Don’t over tighten nuts and bolts. Inspect the breakaway cable. Does the lock function correctly?
  • Vancouver Axle inspects tires, air pressure, lights, windows, wipers, mirrors, hitch, leveling jacks, and connectors.

    Exhaust:

    Your RV suddenly loses all power. Maybe you notice less power going uphill. The causes vary from bad O2 sensors to bad or plugged catalytic converters. Good mechanics are hard to find on the road, where you’re at the mercy of the mechanic who’s available (who might replace your converter when the converter simply needs unblocking). Get an inspection before you go.

    Vancouver Axle inspects muffler, catalytic converter, tail pipe, hangers/mounts

    Don’t wait for RV emergency malfunctions and unpleasant surprises: book preventive maintenance for your RV at Vancouver Axle now!

     

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Recreations Vehicles, RV Preventive Maintenance, Surrey Preventive Maintenance

Specials Services Contact

Recent Blog Posts

Truck Suspension Work

Truck Suspension

What Causes Uneven Tire Wear?

BC Earlybird RV Show

VANCOUVER AXLE AND FRAME THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE AND RELIABLE

Rated 5 out of 5

To whom it may concern Vancouver Axle and Frame has been looking after Telus vehicle Service and CVI inspections since 2012 It is a priority that our vehicles are regularly maintained and safe for Telus employees to operate. They consistently accomplish both of these tasks and go the extra mile to insure that they are giving us what we need. The team has committed to working with Telus to get the trucks completed in a timely manner, and if issues arise they will communicate the delay and an estimated return to service date. As a fleet manger it is nice to know that we have a company like Vancouver Axle and Frame that is accountable and reliable working with us to help maintain our Fleet in the GVRD. I recommend to others to find out what Vancouver Axle and Frame can do for you.

GORD HOUGHTON, TELUS FLEET MANAGER

DEPENDABLE, FRIENDLY AND OPEN OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS

Rated 5 out of 5

We are very pleased with the business relationship we share with Vancouver Axle & Frame. We have found their repair services to be dependable, friendly and open over the past 20 years. Their attention to detail and willingness to listen to our needs is extremely important to our company.

TOM LAMB, COMMERCIAL TRUCK SALES

TRUSTED MEMBERS OF:

Associations & Memberships Click for the BBB Business Review of this Wheel Align, Frame & Axle Service Equipment & Supplies in Surrey BC



Hours of Operation:

Mon-Fri
8:30AM – 12:00AM

5pm – Midnight By Appointment Only
Saturday & Sunday Closed

Follow Us:

Youtube twitter facebook

PH: (604) 882-5112

19548 96th Ave

Surrey, BC,V4N 4C3
Canada

Fax: 604 882-5113

 

Email Us »

Vancouver Axle & Frame is Open 24 Hours

Copyright © 2022 · Vancouver Axle & Frame · Privacy Policy · Delta, BC Web Design · Site Map
NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 Our office hours will be temporarily updated:
Monday – Friday 8:30AM – Midnight, 5PM – Midnight by appointment only. Before visiting read our COVID-19 Notice

  • (604) 882-5112
  • Services
  • RV Parts
  • Menu
    Close
Navigation
  • Alignment
    • Bee Line Laser Wheel Alignment
    • Medium Duty Truck Alignment (Single Axle 2-5 Ton)
    • Heavy Duty Alignment (Commercial Transport)
    • Industrial Alignment (Cranes & Heavy Equipment)
  • Suspension
    • Leaf Springs
    • Coil Springs
    • Air-Ride
      • Pac-Brake Air Suspension Kits
    • Timbren Suspension Upgrades
  • Drivetrain
    • Driveshaft Modification
    • Differentials
  • Brakes
    • Air Brakes
    • Hydraulic Brakes
    • Electric Brakes
  • Inspections
    • Provincial Vehicle Safety Inspection
      • First Time Registered BC
      • Private Vehicle Inspection
      • Commercial Vehicle Inspection
    • Federal Vehicle Safety Inspections
      • Brake Timing Test
      • NSM Certification
  • Collision & Frame
    • Collision Repair
    • Frame Alterations
      • Lengthenings
        (NSM Certification)
      • Shortenings
        (NSM Certification)
      • GVW Upgrade
        (NSM Certification)
      • Installation of Multiple Axles (NSM Certification)
      • Wheelbase Modifications
  • Maintenance
    • A Service
    • B Service
    • Lube & Oil (Express Lube)
    • Air Conditioning Service & Repair
  • Parts
    • RV Parts
      • Shocks & Springs
        • Sumo Springs Rear
        • Lippert Shock Mount Kit
      • Stabilizers & Hitches
        • Roadmaster Stabilizer Bar
        • Safe-T-Plus Steering Stabilizer
        • Blue Ox Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch
        • Blue Ox SwayPro-Weight Distribution Hitch
        • Blue Ox Super Ride 20K
      • Tow Bars
        • Blue Ox Ascent Tow Bar
        • Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar
        • Blue Ox Alpha Towbar
      • RV Product Request Form
      • Trailer Axle Order Form (RV Based)
    • U-Joint
    • U-Bolt Order Form
    • Leaf Spring Order Form
    • Coil Spring Order Form
    • Axle Order Form
    • Frame Steel Order Form
  • Heavy Duty Truck Repair
  • Vehicle Modifications
  • RVs
Follow Us