Whether you’re heading away on a road trip or just heading out for a summer cruise, it’s safe to say the time is right to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
If you’re of the nomadic persuasion, you’ll no doubt know the allure of New Zealand’s many camping grounds and all the good times they have to offer.
But what about towing a caravan, is it as easy as it looks? Experience suggests not!
Towing a caravan does require some skill, and if you believe you can simply hitch up and speed down the road in record time, you’re deceiving yourself.
Regulations for caravans
Your caravan must be registered and roadworthy. Read up on the associated rules before heading off. Get the caravan and vehicle serviced through MyAutoShop ahead of your trip for maximum safety and confidence.
Check the weight regulations
In New Zealand, you can tow any trailer on a class 1 learner or restricted licence as long as the total combined weight of your vehicle, its trailer and its load doesn’t exceed 4500kg. When you have your full licence the gross combined weight can be up to 6000kg.
Your car’s response to braking, acceleration, and cornering will change with a caravan being towed behind it. Keep your eye on the road and to anticipate what’s coming up by observing signage.
How does it work? In simple terms, a caravan that weighs more than 85% of the weight of the automobile should not be towed by a novice driver, and a caravan that weighs more than 100% of the weight of the car should not be towed by an expert driver.
Useful caravan terminology
Tare mass
Tare Mass refers to the unladen weight of the vehicle, e.g. the weight before the trailer is attached.
Aggregate trailer mass
Aggregate trailer mass refers to the total combined weight of the vehicle and trailer combined.
Gross trailer mass
This is the maximum weight that your vehicle and trailer are allowed to carry.
Kerb mass
Kerb mass refers to the total mass of the vehicle with all of its standard equipment fitted.
Tow bar load
Fairly obvious, this is the weight that the fully loaded trailer imposes on the towing vehicle’s tow bar.
Payload
Payload is the difference between a caravan’s unladen weight (Tare) and its Aggregate Trailer Mass is its carrying capacity.
Understanding weights and towing capacities is just as vital as knowing where you’ll put the weight in your caravan.
Weight distribution is a concern for safety. Avoid putting too much weight in the front of the car because this will put additional strain on the vehicle’s components. The caravan will become more unsteady on the road if there is too much weight in the back. It’s best to keep the heaviest goods above the axle of the caravan.
5 tips for driving safely with a caravan
- Drive cautiously. Never forget you are responsible for a huge weight behind you!
- Slow and steady. No sudden movements or hand braking.
- Leave lots of room. You’ll need more space for corners, other drivers and anything else that presents itself as you tow the caravan.
- Take regular breaks from driving. Every 2 hours, take a break and stretch your legs. If you grow tired, stop and take a nap; at the very least, you’ll have a bed to sleep in!
- Don’t panic. Team, please, don’t panic if you begin to sense or see the caravan following you in a slow sideways waltz. Steer as straight as possible and slow down gradually rather than abruptly braking. It should, ideally, correct itself when you slow down if you don’t make any jerky movements.
How to reverse with a caravan
When it comes to reversing with a caravan in tow, practise makes perfect. Maybe choose a time when you can just practice, rather than throwing yourself into a real-life reversal scenario!
When you get at your caravan park destination, getting it correctly will save you time, and you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and laugh at all the others who haven’t put in the effort you have! It also makes you look an experienced caravan tower – good points to score at the holiday park!
Hitch, tie and lock everything down, including the the caravan!
Secure everything. Secure everything. Secure everything. Sorry if we sound a bit like mum! This includes the caravan itself.
Never assume things will stay where they are in the caravan – they seem to have a life of their own.
Double- or triple-check that the caravan is securely hitched to the towbar. It’s not a bad idea to pull over after around 50 kilometres to double-check.
There is no sadder sight than seeing the caravan become dislodged and slowly float by you on the highway… Or, so I’ve heard!
Before heading off on the road have your tow vehicle booked in for an inspection and service with an expert mechanic through MyAutoShop to ensure you’re vehicle is safe to tow, and all you’re looking forward to is good times and a few hitch-checks along the way.