Each summer, millions of Americans hit the road in their RVs. They pack up the kids, the grandkids, the dog, the grill, and the GPS and get out on their chosen interstate with hopes of driving into a melting sunset en route to one of our beautiful and expansive national and state parks. It’s a worthwhile way to spend a summer.

But this dreamlike adventure can easily turn into a nightmare if you don’t prepare ahead of time. A lot of things can go wrong when you’re miles and miles away from any gas station. Put yourself in a good situation and plan against anything that could go wrong.

Of all that can happen, perhaps the biggest potential for disaster comes in the form of that sedan you’re pulling along behind—but not if you’ve got all the right equipment and know-how to keep your trip safe.

This list is filled with all the essential equipment you’ll need to tow your car behind your RV. It’s all the stuff you need to take to ensure you’ll make it to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, even if you’re coming from the East Coast.

• The right dolly. You’ll need a professional-grade, easy-to-use, lightweight, and safe tow dolly to securely hold your vehicle. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Our EZE-TOW car tow dolly features a fully welded frame, fully vented double-vane disc brakes and a total weight of 405 pounds. That’s less than 10 percent of the total weight our EZE-TOW can hold: 4,985 pounds.

A 12:1 capacity:actual weight ratio? That’s darn good.

• Spare tire and air pump. Make sure you’re bringing along an air pump. The EZE-TOW’s heavy-duty tires are rated at 1,650 lbs. each, so they’ll not easily buckle. Still, accidents do happen, and those dusty desert roads are strewn with rocks and debris. In fact, give yourself peace of mind and bring along a spare, too. You know how it goes—a spare is something you’ll probably never need while you have it; but if you don’t bring it, you’ll really wish you had.

• Gloves. Let that glovebox live up to its name. Our EZE-TOW system truly is complete with two plastic 7 lb. ramps rated for 8,000 lbs. which stow easily in the front when not in use. It’s the only way you’ll get your car’s tires positioned perfectly for secure anchoring in the dolly’s sweet spot. Gloves will give your hands adequate protection against heat or sharp edges that may result from road debris or other natural wear and tear. Besides, if you’re serious about maintaining an RV, you should already have a few pairs of heavy-duty work gloves in your toolbox.

• Extra lights. If you opt for the standard-style bulbs that the majority of vehicles use, make sure you have extra on hand. Through no fault of yours, they could simply burn out, leaving you in the dark. Or, you can get our LED upgrade and equip your dolly with a virtually infinite (100,000 hours/11 years—straight) bulb lifetime. LEDs are superior to old gas-filled bulbs in many ways, and they save you money.

• Extra security. Bring some extra ropes and straps with tightening buckles. If you’re towing a boxy vehicle like a Scion or something less than aerodynamic, you might want to think about bracing your lightweight ramps with extra straps. It’s a fact that America’s fruited plains are quite windy—especially in early summer. It’s always a good idea to be prepared and keep all your pieces together. You’d hate to look in the rearview mirror and see something spilling down the highway that you could have secured and protected from high winds.

The more preparations you make for your summer excursion, the better. Whether you’re headed to the Grand Canyon or just to Grandma’s house, it’s still a vacation, a time to relax, and a time to enjoy your family. It’s not a time for panic and dismay because you’re stuck out near Area 51 in Nevada with a flat tire and no means to change it.

Here at Acme Tow Dolly Company we’re committed to giving you the best experience you’ve ever had while towing your car behind your RV.