How Much Does It Cost to Tow an RV?

visual image of Mundie's truck towing a semi-bus

Do you have a recreational vehicle (RV) that you’re looking to transport? Owning an RV allows for endless opportunities of adventures, campouts, and road trips. However, these large and bulky trailers can be tricky to transport if not handled properly. If you have a non-motorized RV and no access to a truck, a reputable towing company such as Mundie’s Towing & Recovery can assist in moving your trailer.

Of course, with any service there is an associated fee. But what exactly determines the cost of RV towing around Vancouver and surrounding areas? Find out below.

Factors Affecting Cost

In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $135 to $150 an hour to tow your RV. However, this is just an estimate and is subject to change depending on the specifics of your situation.  For example, the size of your motorhome will affect the size of tow truck needed, impacting the hourly rate.

There are many factors to consider when evaluating the final price of RV towing. As with any towing service, variables such as time of day, distance, and size of vehicle will impact your fee. Here’s what you should consider when hiring a towing company for your trailer:

1. Size of RV

The bigger the vehicle, the more work involved for your towing company. For example, huge 5th wheels are tougher to navigate around cramped city streets versus a small trailer. While professional technicians have the tools, equipment, and expertise to rig and transport heavy equipment, large RVs pose specific hurdles.

Furthermore, the bigger the RV, the more fuel they’ll burn during transport. As fuel is one of the most expensive factors affecting towing costs, it’s understandable why smaller RVs incur a smaller transport bill.

Lastly, multiple smaller RV’s can often be transported together while larger 5th wheels need to be towed individually. If a towing company can maximize the number of vehicles towed at once, you could save on your final fee.

2. Towing Time

While speaking of fuel, it’s only logical to discuss how travel time affects your overall towing bill. Since RV towing is charged hourly, towing for longer amounts of time will result in a higher cost. At Mundie’s, the rate of towing an RV is typically between $135 to $150 per hour. This cost varies depending on the size of the motorhome, as larger RVs require a bigger tow truck for transport.

3. RV Condition

If your trailer is not in a towable condition, you could see an increase in fees. For example, if your vehicle is missing tires, your towing company needs to find a way to load your RV onto another trailer to transport. Rather than simply hooking and hauling, non-towable vehicles incur more work, time, and efforts.

4. Time of Day

Everyone who drives knows the frustration of rush hour. This dreaded time of day prolongs your commute, burns your precious fuel load, and causes bumper to bumper stop and starts. Should you call for a towing company during peak traffic hours, this will likely increase your bill. When planning to tow an RV, try to do so in slow hours of the day to minimize costs.

You can track traffic patterns here to evaluate the best tow time. Ultimately, traffic peaks on weekdays between 7:00-9:00 AM and 3:00-6:00PM in Vancouver and surrounding areas. If you can, book a tow outside of those hours for optimal conditions.

4. Weather Conditions

Poor driving conditions will impact the cost of RV towing services. While Vancouver rarely experiences extreme weather conditions such as snow and hail, should driving conditions increase the difficulty of the journey, this may be reflected in your bill. To prioritize the safety of your tow truck driver and minimize your fees, avoid planning a tow in a blizzard if possible.

Conclusion

While there are many variables that affect the cost of RV towing services, it’s important to prioritize quality of work above all else. At Mundie’s Towing, you can trust that you’re hiring a team of trusted and experienced technicians to safely transport your RV. With over 40 years of experience, Mundie’s Towing prioritizes customer service and can compete any job, no matter the size. Reach out today for a quote on the safe and efficient transport of your RV.