Towing a Caravan: Top 10 Tips Before You Set Off
Caravanning is one of the most popular leisure activities in Australia and New Zealand. It is popular because you can move your caravan to any desired location and get as close to nature as possible. If you’re planning a caravan trip, it’s essential to prepare your best towing equipment and follow the best practices for towing to ensure your safety on the road.
Take note of these “towing a caravan” rules before you set off to your holiday destination.
Top 10 Towing a Caravan Rules
1. Choose the right tow vehicle.
The tow vehicle is the first and most crucial component of successful caravan towing. You can’t just use any vehicle; make sure that your towing vehicle is heavier than the caravan you are towing. The vehicle should have enough power to ensure safe and effective maneuvering on the road.
The best way to ensure you have the right vehicle for the job is to check the caravan manufacturer’s towing recommendations. Depending on the caravan size, modern passenger vehicles and those with front-wheel drive are capable of towing a caravan. You only need a four-wheel drive vehicle if you venture off-the-beaten track or are dealing with a heavy caravan.
Manual or automatic transmission vehicles can work for towing a caravan if the car meets the towing requirements. Many modern caravan manufacturers recommend using vehicles with automatic transmissions to allow the driver to concentrate on handling the prevailing road conditions.
2. Use the proper towing equipment.
Once you have the proper towing vehicle, you need tow bars and hitches to complete the towing process. Tow bars are essential equipment for this task, and you should always choose the best quality. Choose a towbar that explicitly indicates the maximum towing load. If you buy a vehicle with a fitted towbar, do not assume it will fit your towing needs. Always check the maximum weight capacity of your towbars.
If you are in doubt, it is best to consult a towing expert. They can assess your towbar and hitches for quality and performance. This extra step can pay off as it gives you peace of mind when you set off for a holiday.
3. Check the weight distribution.
Weight transfer is a significant issue when you are towing a caravan. A typical scenario is more weight on the back than on the front.
Check the weight distribution before you set off to ensure stability and vehicle control. Make sure that your towing vehicle and the caravan are level. If not, it might be due to uneven loading on the caravan, incorrect ball height, or improper towing equipment. You can install a weight-distribution hitch, also known as stabilisers, especially if you have a bigger or heavier caravan.
In summary, you should only set off if the tow vehicle and caravan are level.
4. Think about sway control.
Sway is the side-to-side movement of the caravan while travelling to its destination. When there is excessive swaying of the caravan, it could lead to loss of control of the vehicle. Therefore, it is best to avoid swaying as much as possible.
Swaying can happen due to poor caravan design, an axle positioned too far forward, under-inflated tyres, improper weight distribution, or an ill-fitting tow vehicle and caravan. You should check the cause of swaying before you invest in any sway control equipment.
5. Check your tyres and mirrors.
Mirrors are essential for the safe and effective towing of caravans. You cannot rely on the factory mirrors that your towing vehicle came with, as they can compromise your safety. It also makes it extra challenging to switch lanes. If you can, invest in towing mirrors. They are a bit more expensive but allow you to check the traffic behind you.
It’s also good practice to check your tyres before you leave. Driving on worn-out tyres makes achieving stable control of the vehicle more challenging. Well-inflated tyres are also crucial for safe braking.
6. Check the lights and brakes.
If you are towing your caravan at night, you should have adequate lighting to clearly see the road, other vehicles, and wildlife. Check your lights to ensure they are working properly before you get on the road. Your vehicle lights should be balanced appropriately, too.
It also pays to check your brake system before you tow your caravan. Suppose the towing vehicle is the only thing carrying the braking responsibility for the vehicle and the caravan. In that case, it must be in perfect condition due to the amount of weight it carries. Inadequate braking capacity can be potentially dangerous.
7. Use the proper driving technique.
Be extra aware when driving a tow vehicle and caravan. Your acceleration rate will be significantly reduced with the caravan’s load behind you. Stay longer in a particular gear before switching to a higher gear (for manual transmission).
It would be best if you also maintained an adequate gap between your tow vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Avoid overtaking at all costs; always take extra precautions if you are going to do that.
8. Turn wide.
Use a wide angle when turning, given the length of your tow vehicle and caravan. Don’t underestimate those turns, and do them slowly.
Wait until your rear tyre is at the same level as the corner of the intersection before making that turn. This technique will prevent clipping the curb or street signs on the corner.
9. Plan your route.
Once you pick your caravanning destination, check the available routes and choose the most efficient one. Be careful when using GPS recommendations that claim you will save time by taking a particular route, especially if you are unfamiliar with it. It’s better to be safe than sorry and choose routes that you are familiar with or which have less traffic. You must be careful about routes with unsuitable roads and low-clearance bridges or tunnels.
10. Drive slowly and steadily.
Your driving speed while towing a caravan should be slower than your average driving speed. You shouldn’t exceed 100 kph, so you have enough time to react if wildlife suddenly crosses the road, or there are oncoming vehicles. Maintain speed and let other cars pass you if they are in a rush.
Urban Caravans, manufactured in Australia with a range of options to meet customer needs, are available in New Zealand exclusively through Fortis Caravans NZ.