Tips for Towing a Caravan

tips for towing a caravan

Caravanning with your friends or family is an excellent way to travel with freedom and independence. There are Australian guidelines and laws, however, that must be followed when towing a caravan to ensure you keep yourself and others safe on the road. Our team at Royal Flair Caravans discuss some of the top tips for towing a caravan around Australia!

Your Vehicle

When selecting a vehicle to tow your caravan, or deciding if your current car can safely tow, it is vital that you check the car’s Towing Mass.

The Towing Mass (also referred to as the Towing Rating) can be found in the car’s manufacturers’ handbook, in the towing section. When looking at these ratings, you must consider both the trailer weight capacity and the trailer ball weight capacity. Neither capacity can be exceeded. 

Additional Towing Aids

In some cases, for safety reasons, additional towing aids may be included on your vehicle. Please seek professional advice when making modifications or additions to your tow bar or towing configuration.

  • Fitting Load-Levelling Devices: Used to distribute weight. Cannot be used with override brakes.
  • Weight Distribution Hitches: Sometimes referred to as level rides. Incompatible with override brakes.
  • Additional mirrors may be required to ensure the driver has a clear view of the road. Particularly when towing a large caravan, ensure you have an unobstructed view as this is a legal obligation.
  • A brake connection and controller: Any trailer which exceeds a gross mass of 750kgs must have brakes. These are typically electric which require a brake controller.

Important Points to Consider when towing a Caravan

Towing a caravan alters your car’s performance and fuel consumption. More specifically, your vehicle’s acceleration, manoeuvrability, and braking ability will be limited. It is important that the way you drive changes to maintain safety at all times. 

Consider the following safety tips when towing a caravan:

  • Allow more time and distance when overtaking.
  • Accelerate and brake smoothly and cautiously, particularly in wet conditions to maintain control of the vehicle and caravan.
  • When reversing, it is ideal to have a person watching the rear of the caravan.
  • Maintain a greater distance than usual between you and the car in front.
  • Where possible, pull over and allow built-up traffic behind you to pass.

Royal Flair’s latest range of designer caravans from our off-road caravans, family caravans, adventure caravans and luxurious caravans give you the freedom to go farther than ever before. Field-tested in some of the most hostile environments Australia has to offer, you’ll never be restricted by time or season. Don’t settle for average. Whether you’re heading deep into the bush or across the outback, Royal Flair will make it happen.

Don’t settle for average! Call us today on 03 9357 8118.

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