Tips for towing a caravan for the first time

Caravans can be a great investment, as long as you invest the time to learn how to use them correctly. These tips are a good first step, but it's a good idea for first timers to look into a caravan towing course before hitting the road.

Follow these tips for towing a caravan for a safe journey on your maiden voyage.

Is your vehicle suitable for towing?

You need to know what the maximum towing capacity is of your vehicle so that you can legally and safely tow that weight. It's not just the weight of your caravan you need to consider, but the weight of everything you'll be taking with you on your trip.

Check that you're not going over your limits before you head off. Getting the weight calculations right is critical. Use our guide to calculate your car and caravan towing weights that explains the terms you need to know (e.g. GCM, GTM, ATM, tow ball mass).

Setting up the caravan for safe towing

Weight distribution

Make sure that the weight is distributed correctly with heavier items placed low and close to the axle. Distributing the load 60% forward of the axle’s centre will give your caravan better stability whilst being towed. See our guide and video on how to load your caravan for towing.

Correct hitching

We also need to make sure that it’s connected to the car correctly. The tow hitch is connected and secured and locked in place. Chains are connected tight enough to prevent the drawbar from hitting the ground, electrical connections are secured and breakaway connections if necessary.

Mirrors

Mirrors need to be fitted to your vehicle so that you can see what’s going on behind you, when you’re driving on the highway and when you’re reversing.

How to drive safely while towing

Safe speeds

The state legal speed limit for towing in Western Australia is 100km/hr, but it’s an objective, you don’t have to go that fast. If the conditions don’t support it, and if you don’t feel comfortable with it, go a bit slower, there’s no problem with that. If you’re going to go a bit slower, keep an eye on your mirrors. If you’re starting to get a line of traffic behind you, it might be time to pull over and let them clear out to make the traffic flow a bit easier.

Stopping distance

Tied in with how fast you’re going is your stopping distance. If you double your speed, you double your stopping distance. If you double your weight, you quadruple your stopping distance. It’s going to take you longer to stop the vehicle and caravan whilst towing.

Handling swaying

The weight of your caravan, how that weight is distributed within the caravan, tyre pressures, undulated road surfaces, wind, erratic steering movements, and harsh braking can all contribute to caravan sway. It can be managed by getting your weight distribution correct and travelling at the right speed for the conditions. We've got a comprehensive guide to preventing caravan sway here.

Wide turns

Your caravan adds to the length of your vehicle, so we need to think about that when turning. Take turns a little bit slower and a bit wider. You can also get signs for the back of your caravan, which allows you to swing out to the left or out to the right to make your turning a little bit easier.

How to reverse a caravan

People that are new to caravanning often struggle with reversing. The key to this is practice, and you need to practice in an open area where you’ve got plenty of space and there’s no pressure from anyone else around you. And, if you can, use a spotter. A spotter will make things easier and safer for you. Remember; stop, make an adjustment, and check. If the caravan is going where you want it to go, keep going. If it’s not, readjust, then try again. We've got a step-to-step guide on reversing a caravan here, with video instructions for using a spotter or travelling solo.

How to check tyre pressure and condition

Tyre pressure is very important. We need to make sure that the vehicle tyres and the caravan tyres are correctly inflated to the optimum pressure. Learn how to calculate your caravan tyre pressure here. Tyre condition is also very important. You should check your tyre condition before you go on a trip and at regular intervals during your trip. So, if you stop for a stretch, have a walk around your caravan and check your tyres out.

How to manage fuel consumption

Whilst towing, the vehicle will use more fuel, so smooth acceleration is the key here. Maintain a steady speed and keep the vehicle in its peak rev range to enhance its performance.

Electronic stability control

To enhance your safety while towing, you can fit electronic systems to your caravan. Electronic stability control works in conjunction with what’s fitted in your vehicle and will help to keep your caravan stable behind you whilst towing. It can be fitted as an optional extra, although with some caravans it comes as standard.

Plan your route and rest stops

Before you go away, plan your trip. Select a route which is going to keep you away from busy intersections and high-density traffic areas and roads which are in poor condition. Select rest areas where you can stop on a regular basis, have a stretch and lessen the chance if you’re suffering from fatigue. We've put together a list of overnight caravan rest stops down south.

If you’re new to caravanning and follow these tips, it will make it safer for you, it will build your confidence, and your first time towing experience will be more enjoyable.

You can learn all this and more at the our caravan safety sessions - Tow Safe.

What can happen when you don't hitch your tow-load correctly

RAC's Steven Hill caught this trailer detaching from its ride on his way to work.

This is the unbelievable footage of what can happen if you don't hitch your rig the right way - but you might not always be this lucky.

Always check your connection and don't overload.