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More on caravan towing


More on caravan towing

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Here we give you information on caravan loading, reversing, manual v's automatics and safety chains.

Note: In some areas there are caravan towing schools - for your own piece of mind this could be money well spent.

How do I load my trailer and caravan so that it's safe?

A trailer must be loaded with the greatest concentration of its mass as near to and slightly forward of the centre of the axle as possible. This ensures the towed vehicle is safe to tow.

Where are the blind spots?

The biggest blind spot on a tow vehicle/caravan combination is on the passenger's side.

How can I learn to reverse a caravan or trailer?

Reversing a trailer can be really tricky and it's best to get professional help when learning. For those who want to improve their reversing skills, however, there is an easy way to remember which way to turn. Grasp the steering wheel at the very bottom. Move it to the right and the rear of the trailer will turn to the right. If you move the steering wheel to the left it will turn the rear of the trailer to the left. The shorter the trailer, the more difficult it is to reverse.

How will I know the towing capacity of my vehicle?

You should check your vehicle manufacturer's guidelines or consult a specialist caravan retailer. Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) is the weight on the trailer wheels. Towball weight should be 10 per cent of the Aggregate Trailer Mass.

If you're an NRMA Member you can also contact our Motoring Advice on 13 11 22.

Should I buy a manual or automatic car for towing?

Experienced caravanners tend to favour manual transmission, because this gives greater driving control. Holden and Ford recommend automatic transmission for towing with late model Commodore and Falcon vehicles. Towing with automatic transmission does not require as much experience and also provides torque multiplication advantage when moving from rest. However, not all automatic transmissions are suitable for heavy-duty towing.

Are safety chains between a car and trailer essential?

They are not only essential, but a legal requirement. Some states require two chains and others require a minimum of one.

In NSW a single chain must be fitted between the "A" frame and the vehicle's towbar.

We recommend the use of two crossed chains, because this is safer and more effective if the towed vehicle becomes unattached on the road. You should always cross over your safety chains and secure them with a rated D-shackle.

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