The most experienced off-roaders or tourers may still be unsure about the ins and outs of towing. Whether it is your first time towing a trailer, or you’re adding a caravan or camper to your off-grid set-up, or perhaps you’re finally undertaking that lap of Australia you’ve planned for so long — REDARC has the info and the trailer brake controllers that make towing safer.
This article endeavours to provide up-to-date towing information to readers, but as towing regulations vary by state and are revised regularly, be sure to check the legal requirements for the states you will be towing through.
CHECK YOUR SETUP IS LEGAL
Before towing a caravan, the first thing is to ensure that the vehicle and trailer meet the legal requirements. In Australia, these are found in the Vehicle Standards Bulletin published by the Australian Government, and you can find accessible towing information on state government websites or at the Motor Registry in your state.
A light vehicle, which includes cars and 4x4s, can tow trailers up to a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes. However, you also need to check the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure that the loaded mass of your caravan does not exceed the rated capacity of the tow bar and tow coupling, the towing mass specified by the vehicle manufacturer or the gross combination mass (GCM) specified on the vehicle registration certificate.
TOWING WITH OR WITHOUT ELECTRIC BRAKES
The type of braking on the caravan also helps to determine how much weight you can tow. If the caravan’s gross trailer mass (GTM) exceeds 750kg you must have electric brakes and an electric brake controller.
Safe towing means understanding your caravan weights. You can find all the info you need to measure up at your nearest weighbridge.
CHOOSE A RELIABLE TOWING VEHICLE
Getting a caravan may require upgrading your tow vehicle as well. Check your car's owner’s manual first. Big 4WDs are popular tow vehicles for caravans and often have a larger towing capacity, so you can load up the caravan for a long trip without worrying about exceeding the weight limit. A general guide is to make sure that the vehicle has a greater towing capacity than the fully loaded caravan, leaving wiggle room for extra kit you might add along the way.
When towing for the first time, an automatic vehicle may make things a little easier, plus you eliminate the risk of clutch wear. The final decision on your towing vehicle will depend on whether it’s also your daily driver and how often you will tow — as the caravanning lifestyle becomes a bigger part of your life you may decide to upgrade to a bigger tow vehicle.
PREPARE YOUR CARAVAN
When fitting out and packing your caravan, ensure that weight is evenly distributed. This helps to make towing easier and safer by reducing the risk of caravan sway and improving steering response.
CHECK YOUR CARAVAN THOROUGHLY
Just like you check the oil, radiator fluid and tyre pressure on your vehicle, you need to check your caravan before towing. This is particularly important if your caravan has been sitting for a while. Make sure you check the spare tyre, tyre pressure, lights, brakes and electric brake controller before towing.
It also pays to check gas bottles are turned off, water storage is secure and leak-free and battery systems are in working order. Ensure the smoke alarm is working and the fire blanket, extinguisher and first aid kit are in place, stocked up and in good condition.
A camping checklist can help you to be organised on the road — if you leave the caravan packed, it pays to check for anything that may have been taken inside or not replaced since your last trip.
HEAVY ITEMS GO NEAR THE AXLE
Caravans are often designed with heavier appliances or equipment near the axle, but if you are renovating your caravan or installing new gear, make sure the weighty items are central.
Other heavy items, for example, gas cylinders or spare tyres, should be kept in the positions designated by the manufacturer for your specific caravan model.
EVENLY DISTRIBUTE THE LOAD
Smaller gear can be evenly distributed throughout the rest of the space. This might include things like bedding, cooking utensils, furniture and anything else you bring to stay comfy.
MAKE SURE YOUR CARAVAN INTERIOR IS TIED DOWN
The final thing to check when packing the caravan is that everything inside is secured so that the load distribution will not change while towing. The last thing you want is to find items strewn throughout the caravan when you arrive — loose items can also fall to one side and upset the balance of the caravan, affecting steering as you drive.
USING ELECTRIC BRAKES
Most caravans require electric brakes to ensure safe towing, and it is mandatory to have trailer brakes where the Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) exceeds 750kg. Electric brakes won’t work without an electric brake controller. Fortunately, electric brake controllers are easy to install in your towing vehicle and won’t take up too much space.
When you’re towing hundreds of kilos behind you on the road, braking can quickly become dangerous when the only thing controlling your trailer is your vehicle’s brakes.
Electric trailer brakes become important when you’re attempting to slow down. The added weight and momentum of your trailer can make slowing down the towing combination more dangerous by causing it to keep going and possibly crashing into the back of the vehicle.
An electric trailer brake controller wires into your tow vehicle and allows you to control and manage the brakes on your trailer from the drivers’ seat. This means when you apply your vehicle’s brakes, your caravan brakes are applied as well.
Electric brake controllers are highly sensitive and support smoother braking, helping. This can help to reduce wear and tear on the vehicle and reduce the likelihood of losing control of the trailer.
An electric brake controller can also help make off-road towing easier, providing greater control over the trailer brakes from the driver’s seat.
SAFE TOWING TIPS
1. PRACTICE REVERSING YOUR CARAVAN
Even if you plan not to reverse too often, reversing a caravan is an important skill for towing. With reduced visibility due to the height of the caravan, you want to practise manoeuvring backwards and forwards to get comfortable.
Having someone spot for you can help ensure you reverse safely, and practising in an area you are familiar with can help you get comfortable. Once on the road, hazards like potholes, posts or even pets can easily slip out of your view behind the caravan, so ensuring you reverse slowly and skilfully is key.
As with any trailer, to reverse you turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to where you want the caravan to go. Taking it slow and steady gives time to stop if anything changes unexpectedly. If you do veer the trailer off course, drive forward a little before continuing back. Patience is key!
2. DRIVE AT A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Allow enough time to brake safely when following another vehicle. As a general guide, allow five to ten seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. To work this out, count out the seconds when the vehicle ahead passes a marker on the side of the road.
3. MIND THE SPEED LIMIT
Many country roads have a speed limit of 100 for small vehicles where there are no signs. In some states there may be a maximum speed limit for towing, so check the rules where you are travelling to before you go.
4. TAKE A COURSE
Towing courses are provided by organisations like the RAA and RACV who provide roadside assistance. If you are towing for the first time, towing a different caravan style or just looking for a refresher course, a towing course can help to improve your skills and give you confidence ahead of your next caravan trip.
TOWING A CARAVAN FOR THE FIRST TIME
First time towing a caravan? Practice is everything but there are a few tips and tricks you can learn from more experienced caravan towers as well. To get started, you will need to know how to hitch up the caravan. Next up, make sure you have all the gear you need installed and that you know how to use it. This means batteries, solar, water tanks, tank level sensors, the fridge setup and an electric brake controller for safer towing.
Be aware that you need to respond to the conditions, from rain to high winds or steep hills. Making sure the tyre pressure is correct for the conditions, the brakes are effective and you respond early to changing conditions are key for safe towing. Practice makes perfect, so taking short drives with the caravan to try out different conditions can help you develop the skills to handle anything on the road.
TROUBLESHOOTING CARAVAN TOWING
Here’s a quick look at some of the common issues that can occur when towing a caravan.
WHAT CAUSES PITCHING WHEN TOWING A CARAVAN?
A dip in the road or a pothole may cause the caravan to pitch. Pitching is the vertical instability when the trailer moves up and down in a waving movement that pulls the towing vehicle in a seesaw like motion. Taking it slowly on uneven roads is key. Balancing the load inside the caravan is also important, as too much weight at the front or back can cause pitching.
WHAT CAUSES CARAVAN SWAY?
Caravan sway can result from too little weight being transferred from the hitched caravan through the tow ball to the vehicle. Tow ball weight (TBW) should be around 10% of the total caravan weight (see how to calculate tow ball weight).
You can reduce caravan sway by driving slower, ensuring tyre pressures on the caravan are not too high and lowering the centre of gravity of the caravan, for example, by filling water tanks to offset a high centre of gravity.
WHAT CAUSES SNAKING WHEN TOWING A CARAVAN?
Sudden swerving, driving too quickly for the conditions, crosswinds or being overtaken by a large truck can contribute to snaking. An electric brake controller can help you quickly regain control of the caravan by applying the trailer brakes independently of the vehicle brakes through a manual override mode.
WHY ARE THE CARAVAN TOW LIGHTS NOT WORKING?
A globe may need replacing, or there may be a wiring fault. Check the globe first, then check the fuses and wiring to find the issue before driving. A commonly recommended area to review is the trailer plug connections on the vehicle and caravan to ensure they’re always clean and firm.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
Caravans add extra length, weight and sometimes extra width to your vehicle, so you need to take this into account when planning your route. Towing a caravan requires extra vigilance and may fatigue you a little more than regular driving, so allow extra stops. If you are going off-road or towing on soft sand take precautions to ensure you can avoid getting bogged.
When you stop, make sure there is enough space to park the caravan and vehicle comfortably. This may rule out stopping at local shopping centres.
GEAR UP FOR YOUR NEXT CARAVANNING TRIP WITH REDARC
From tried and tested electric brake controllers to caravan electrical systems, REDARC is your go-to partner when preparing your gear for a trip. Whether you plan to get off the grid or just want the freedom and independance of being self-sufficient, our towing and power solutions are tested for the toughest conditions and garanteed to go the distance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO TOW A CARAVAN?
You can tow a caravan with a regular class C licence in Australia (car and small vehicle), but not on a Learner’s permit. On a P plate, you can tow a small trailer of up to 250kg unloaded. The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of the loaded trailer plus loaded car must be less than 4.5 tonnes.
IS TOWING A CARAVAN FOR THE FIRST TIME HARD?
With proper preparation, packing and practice, towing a caravan for the first time will become easier. Ensure you know how to troubleshoot the main issues and that your vehicle is correctly set up for your first time towing and you will gain confidence in no time.
WHAT TO KNOW WHEN TOWING A CARAVAN
Remember the length and width of your caravan, especially when changing lanes or entering or passing traffic. Reduce speed in slippery or wet conditions, steer smoothly and brake evenly and gently to lower the likelihood of caravan sway.