Owning a caravan opens up endless possibilities for travel and adventure, but mastering the art of towing it safely requires knowledge and practice. Whether you’re a novice or looking to refine your towing skills, understanding the fundamentals is crucial for a smooth journey. Here are essential tips on how to tow a caravan safely:
Know Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity
Before setting off, it’s essential to know your vehicle’s towing capacity. This refers to the maximum weight your vehicle can safely tow, including the caravan’s loaded weight. Calculate your (GVM) gross vehicle mass, tow ball weight, (ATM) aggregate trailer mass, and gross combined mass to ensure you comply with your vehicle’s limits. Visiting a weighbridge or having a mobile caravan weighing service provider visit you, can provide accurate measurements to avoid exceeding these limits.
GVM = vehicle tare mass + maximum payload. Maximum payload = ATM – tare mass – tow ball mass. GTM = ATM – tow ball mass. GCM = GTM + GVM
How do I work out what size caravan I can tow?
To determine the maximum weight, you can tow, subtract the GVM from the GCM. It will give you the total weight you’re allowed to tow. For instance, if you have a 2022 Mitsubishi Triton with a GVM of 2,900kg and a GCM of 5,885kg, you can tow up to 2,985kg (5,885kg – 2,900kg) safely
Inspect Your Caravan Before Departure
A thorough inspection of your caravan before every trip is essential for safety. Check the condition of tyres, sockets, stabilisers, and safety chains to ensure they are secure and functioning correctly. Verify tyre pressures, look for signs of wear or damage, and confirm that wheel nuts are tightened. Good rule of thumb is to tighten your wheel nuts each time you head out for a trip. Carry out a cabin check, secure all internal items to prevent shifting during travel, ensuring everything is stowed safely and any external amenities are properly stored. Make sure roof hatches and your tv antenna is down.
Drive Slowly and Steadily
Towing a caravan requires a different approach to driving. Avoid speeding and maintain a moderate pace below the usual speed limit. The additional weight and altered visibility due to the caravan necessitate cautious driving to ensure safety. Driving at a controlled speed allows you to maintain better control of your vehicle and react to road conditions and other vehicles effectively.
Allow Overtaking Safely
Since you’ll be driving slower while towing, be prepared for other vehicles to overtake you. Signal early when you notice vehicles approaching from behind, giving them ample time to pass safely. Reduce speed slightly to facilitate safe overtaking and allow adequate space for vehicles to merge back into your lane. A reminder for confident drivers while towing their caravans, there’s no need to drive like a bat out of hell. It’s better to arrive late then to now arrive at all. Life truly is about the journey, not the destination.
Increase Braking Distance
Towing a caravan increases braking distances due to the added weight. Plan your braking in advance by pressing the brake pedal earlier than usual to compensate for the extended stopping distance. Practice braking techniques before your journey to familiarise yourself with the caravan’s response and ensure safe deceleration.
Monitor Brake Usage
Pay attention to brake performance, especially on downhill stretches where braking demands increase. If your brakes feel spongy or less responsive, it may indicate overheating. Pull over safely to allow brakes to cool before continuing. Understand how trailer brakes function and use them appropriately to manage speed and stability while towing. Frequently used brakes overheat quickly, so don’t ride your brakes. Ensure you know how to use your electric brakes.
Navigate Turns Carefully
Handling turns with a caravan requires careful manoeuvring. Take wider turns to accommodate the caravan’s length and prevent clipping obstacles or other vehicles. Approach corners cautiously, maintaining a suitable speed to avoid swaying or loss of control. Sharp turns should be avoided to reduce the risk of accidents and ensure smooth navigation.
Manage Swaying and Pitching
Caravans can experience swaying or pitching, especially in windy conditions or uneven terrain. If your caravan begins to sway, gradually reduce speed without braking abruptly, allowing the vehicle and caravan to stabilise. Avoid sudden steering adjustments and use engine braking to regain control and maintain a straight line. It can be pretty scary getting the wobbles up.
Choose Parking Spots Wisely
When parking your caravan, select designated areas to avoid obstructing traffic or damaging your vehicle. Choose level surfaces over slopes to prevent instability and ensure adequate grip. Avoid curbs and narrow spaces that could pose challenges during parking or departure. Avoid parking in designated truck stops on the side of the road.
Stay Aware of Surroundings
Be vigilant of surrounding vehicles, particularly trucks that can create wind buffeting when passing. Give trucks a wide berth and reduce speed to minimise sway and maintain control. Exercise caution in high-wind areas by adjusting speed accordingly and staying attentive to potential hazards.
Practice and Build Confidence
Practice towing your caravan in safe environments before embarking on longer journeys. Familiarise yourself with the route, road conditions, and potential challenges to build confidence in your towing abilities. Remember, experience and preparation are key to mastering caravan towing.
Be Mindful of Hazards
Hazards could be rubber on the road from truck blow-outs, idiotic drivers that pull in front of you, and road works, just to name a few.
Contact Thrive Broking for Your Caravan Finance Needs
At Thrive Broking, we specialise in caravan finance and understand the intricacies of towing and owning caravans. As industry specialists, and mobile brokers, when we work away we operate from a caravan office, bringing expertise directly to you. Whether you’re purchasing your first caravan or upgrading to a motorhome, trust Thrive Broking for tailored finance solutions. Contact us at 0421 195 741 or apply online to explore competitive loan options and start your caravan adventure with confidence.
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