New to Towing a Caravan? Read These Tips.

You’ve taken the plunge and bought the caravan of your dreams! The Australian countryside is some of the best in the world for road trips… you’re going to love it. Half the fun is in planning, and a big part of that planning is getting accustomed to your caravan and learning how to tow it safely. 

A bit of research is required, and you have come to the right place! Check out our safe towing guide here, and read below for some handy tips that will help you navigate your towing experience.

Loading your Caravan

There’s a lot of space in a caravan to place extra items. Care needs to be taken when loading it however as there is a right way and a wrong way. Here are two very important things to be aware of when packing for your trip:

Understand Vehicle Towing Capacity

This is an important one because staying within the towing capacity of your vehicle model is a legal requirement. If you exceed it, you’re endangering the safety of you and others on the road and are also falling on the wrong side of the law. This article explains the terms and acronyms to do with towing weights and is essential reading in your research. 

You need to have a solid understanding of these terms and how they apply to your vehicle and trailer weight. You should be able to find them in your owners handbook, or in the manufacturer’s specs online:

• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): The total weight your vehicle can carry – passengers, cargo, and the tow ball weight of your trailer. 
• Gross Trailer Mass (GTM): The loaded weight of the trailer when it’s hitched, without the downward force on the tow ball. 
• Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM): The total loaded weight of a trailer when it’s not attached to a vehicle. 

Even Load Distribution in the Caravan

Loading your caravan incorrectly will have a direct impact on your driving experience. For seamless and safe travels, loading it right is important. Your specific caravan may have manufacturer loading recommendations, so have a check for those. 

Your weight needs to be evenly distributed across the caravan with the bulk of the cargo and heavy items being stored low and in the centre of the van directly over the axles. This can be difficult to consider when dedicated cargo holds and drawers may be scattered between the front and rear of your caravan. Be sure to store light items in these areas and keep weight located over the axles as best as possible. 

Remember not to exceed your tow ball weight when loading, which is the direct downward weight from the caravan onto the trailer. This should be around 10% of the total weight of your caravan. 

Using the Right Equipment for your Caravan

Inadequate towing equipment can ruin your family road trip. Investing in quality gear and service will ensure a flawless experience with no hiccups. It all comes down to choosing the right towbar and accessories: 

Choose the Right Towbar for your Caravan

Safety is paramount when you’re towing a caravan. It’s a large piece of gear that you’re putting onto the roads, and you want to ensure you, your family and other drivers aren’t put at risk in any way. This is where choosing the right towbar setup is of utmost importance. 

A heavy-duty towbar is recommended when towing a caravan or big trailers as Heavy Duty or Class 4 towbars are almost always rated to the maximum capacity of the vehicle it has been installed to. 

If you have any questions about the towbar you should be using for your particular vehicle and caravan, the Speedy Team are more than happy to answer them. Give us a call today at 1300 SPEEDY and let’s talk towbars! 

Install Towing Mirrors

Several accessories will make your towing experience safer, and larger or extended side mirrors are an important one. If your trailer is longer than 16-foot and is wider than your vehicle, they’re a legal requirement. They provide a much wider and clearer field of view of what’s beside and behind your trailer, making reversing easier and giving you more insight into other vehicles on the road. 

Driving Tips for Towing a Caravan

You’re towing a big and heavy load in your caravan which will naturally affect how your vehicle handles on the road. There are some vital adjustments to be made to how you drive to remain safe and sound for your journey: 

Slow Down

We can’t stress this enough – don’t rush. Too many accidents happen because people are trying to get somewhere too fast while towing. Don’t become that statistic. Here are a couple of things to remember: 

• Braking: A larger load means longer stopping distances. Brake early and gradually to avoid sudden stops.
• Turning: Take corners wider than usual to compensate for the additional length of your trailer. 
• Acceleration – Accelerate gradually, this prevents jerky or sudden forces in your vehicle’s drivetrain which can damage, break or increase wear and tare on your vehicle and caravan.
• Offroading/Bumpy Terrain – Slow down, Remember the caravan behind you needs to traverse the bumps behind your vehicle so dont think you’re in the clear once the vehicle has passed.

Stay Alert

Some Australian country roads are long and straight (Here’s looking at you Nullarbor!) It’s important not to let your focus slip and to stay focused on the road and your driving.  

Keep your eyes and ears open for:

• Winds: The coastal breeze is awesome if you want to cool down, but it can play havoc when you’re towing a caravan along a seaside road! Take it slow, and if the wind is feeling too dangerous pull over in a secluded spot. 
• Rain and Wet Roads: Trailer fishtailing is common in wet weather conditions. Slow down before reaching curves, bends, or intersections. Take it very easy when driving in the wet. 
• Animals: Kangaroos bouncing in front of vehicles on country roads is not uncommon. Stopping fast isn’t as easy when you’re towing a caravan, so take it slow, especially in the half-light of dawn and dusk.

Reverse your Caravan with Care

Reversing with a caravan or large trailer can be tricky. If you’re not confident, practice in an empty parking lot before your trip. Use small, slow movements of the steering wheel and remember:

• Turning the wheel left makes the trailer go right.

• Turning the wheel right makes the trailer go left. 

• The smaller/shorter the trailer the faster it will turn based on your vehicle adjustments.

• Use Towing Mirrors.

• Accept help when reversing. 

Reversing gets easier with time, and mastering it will make parking and tight manoeuvres far less intimidating. Practice makes perfect! 

Take Regular Breaks

Half the fun of your caravan adventure is in getting to your destination, so take the time to enjoy the ride! Staying focused for long periods while towing is exhausting, so take regular breaks to keep your mind and reflexes sharp. We’d recommend stopping every couple of hours to have a stretch, walk around your vehicle and assess your rig. Take in the views, have a coffee – soak in the freedom that a towing holiday gives you! 

Your Caravan Adventure Awaits

What are you waiting for? Adventuring across Australia’s stunning landscapes is one of life’s great pleasures! Speedy Towbars is here to make sure your towing experience is smooth and hassle-free. If you need expert advice, or want guidance towards the perfect towing equipment for your setup, get in touch here and our team will help you out. 

Happy towing!