{"id":3990,"date":"2021-12-17T10:52:05","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T21:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myautoshop.co.nz\/info\/?p=3990"},"modified":"2021-12-17T10:52:05","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T21:52:05","slug":"caravans-a-drivers-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myautoshop.co.nz\/info\/caravans-a-drivers-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Caravans: a driver’s guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re of the nomadic persuasion, you’ll no doubt know the allure of New Zealand’s many camping grounds<\/a> 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regulations for caravans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your caravan must be registered<\/strong> and roadworthy<\/strong>. Read up on the associated rules before heading off. Get the caravan and vehicle serviced through MyAutoShop<\/a> ahead of your trip for maximum safety and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the weight regulations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>. When you have your full licence the gross combined weight can be up to 6000kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Useful caravan terminology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tare mass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tare Mass refers to the unladen weight of the vehicle, e.g. the weight before the trailer is attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggregate trailer mass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aggregate trailer mass refers to the total combined weight of the vehicle and trailer combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gross trailer mass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the maximum weight that your vehicle and trailer are allowed to carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kerb mass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kerb mass refers to the total mass of the vehicle with all of its standard equipment fitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tow bar load<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fairly obvious, this is the weight that the fully loaded trailer imposes on the towing vehicle’s tow bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payload<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Payload is the difference between a caravan’s unladen weight (Tare) and its Aggregate Trailer Mass is its carrying capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding weights and towing capacities is just as vital as knowing where you’ll put the weight in your caravan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 tips for driving safely with a caravan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n