Contents

 – Conditions for towing a caravan

 – Tips for Towing a caravan

Camping is a pleasant and cheap way to go on holiday. Many families choose a caravan for more comfort rather than a tent (the motorhome requires a much higher budget).

Here are some tips for this attractive project.

Requirements for towing a caravan

Type of car

There is no ideal car for towing a caravan. However, you can define a profile:

 – a rear-wheel-drive car with a powerful diesel or petrol engine;

 – Large saloon cars and family cars, such as minivans, offer good road holding, which is essential.

Good to know: if you opt for a folding caravan, you can tow it with a smaller vehicle!

Caravan weight and licence

The caravan must not exceed 750 kg, and the weight of the caravan + car must be less than 3.5 tonnes. Under these conditions, you can drive your caravan with a licence.

For heavier trailers, you need a BE licence. Go to a driving school for a theory test and a practical test.

Note: although there are no licence requirements, you still have obligations towards your insurer. Declare your caravan to them as soon as you buy it.

Installing a trailer hitch

You’ve got the car, the caravan… you’ll have to hook them up! To do this, you need a hitch. Go to Roma RV to have it installed. 

Towing a caravan: some tips for the road

Driving a car with a caravan is not the same as driving your car alone. Here are a few tips to make sure everything goes smoothly on the road.

Before setting off

Start by checking the tyre pressure. This is essential! The majority of accidents involving a caravan are due to tyres. Unfortunately, burst tyres only when you are too happy about beginning your trip are not uncommon!

For safety reasons, also check that the traffic lights are working correctly. If there is a defect, try changing the bulb, checking the caravan connection, etc. Otherwise, you should consult a garage. If not, you should consult a garage.

On the road

Drive smoothly and take your time. This will give you more control over your trailer.

 – If the car + trailer combination is longer than 7 metres, keep a safe distance of 50 metres between you and the car in front.

 – If you need a licence to drive, you should know that you must also comply with speed limits: 80 km/h on the road and 90 km/h on the motorway.

Good to know: your caravan may fall victim to the ” yawing ” phenomenon. This means it zigzags behind the car or is dragged along by its weight and tries to get in front of it. This can be caused by overloading, poor tyre pressure or too much wind. In this case, do not make any sudden movements (accelerate, brake, etc.). Decelerate gradually and stay on the road. 

Should you be looking for a caravan with good tyres, one good address in Melbourne is RV Roma. Please remember to share your experience in the comments below because, as you know, your opinion counts and our readers rely on this to make their choice. On this note, I wish you a happy holiday with your caravan!

 

Below is a shortlist of caravan-related articles.

Read more:

– Special Features of Small Caravans;

– Factors to Consider for the Maintenance of an RV;

– Vehicle Warrant Search: Can the Police Search a Caravan

– What Is a Low-Profile Caravan?

– What Makes a Good Motorhome?

– Why Choose a Folding Caravan?