With summer right around the corner, Aussies everywhere are dusting off their caravans to hit the open road for a holiday adventure.
But there’s a bit more to towing a van than simply hitching up and hightailing it to your holiday destination. From loading up properly to navigating winding roads, a few smart moves will make your journey smoother, safer, and way more enjoyable for the whole family.
With that in mind, Build-it has put together a few of our top travelling tips that’ll get any caravan lover road trip ready in time for December.
Weight matters
When it comes to towing, weight matters—a lot. Make sure you know the exact weight of your car and caravan, and that it’s within safe and legal limits.
Buy yourself a tow ball weight scale (about $70) and find out the gross vehicle mass, aggregate trailer mass, tow ball weight, and gross combined mass. And don’t forget to double-check your figures at a public weigh station once you’re on the road to avoid any holiday hassles.
As for your ute, there’s no need to test its towing limits. Even if your ute is ‘technically’ allowed to tow a few tons on paper, it doesn’t mean it should.
For example, a standard Toyota Prado weighing 2.22 tonnes can legally only tow 2.5 tonnes while a standard D Max ute weighing just under 2 tonnes can ‘legally’ tow 3.5 tonnes.
It might sound like a good selling point at the dealership, but this lower body weight can make for one bumpy ride on the road when towing a caravan and can easily lead to you going over your load limit, invalidating your insurance and upping your risk of losing control.
If you are rolling around with one of these lighter utes, try evening the load out by filling up the tray with a decent amount of weight before filling up the caravan.
Pack it right
Packing a caravan is a bit of a Tetris-like artform. Remember to keep heavy items over the axles for stability, and avoid overloading the front or rear.
Carrying full water tanks can also help by lowering the centre of gravity and reducing unwanted movement. So, pack smart and keep it light—leave behind those “just in case” items you’ll probably never need.
Secure everything and double-check
Think of towing like a pre-flight checklist. After hitching up, make sure all the essentials are connected: the chains, breakaway cable, and electrical points.
Run through your lights and indicators, check windows and hatches, and don’t forget to stow that TV antenna. A quick double-check before departure can save a ton of trouble down the road.
Take a towing course
If you’re new to towing, getting some expert training is a no-brainer. Companies like Tow-Ed offer full-day courses across Australia, teaching drivers how to hitch up, maneuver, and even reverse with confidence. It’s a worthwhile investment to master these skills before setting off.
Slow down, you’re on holiday!
One of the best parts of caravanning is enjoying the journey, so there’s no need to speed. Aim to keep your speed below 100 km/h. This not only gives you more reaction time but also improves fuel economy.
If you see a road train approaching (that big line of cars riding on your ass), ease to the left safely and let it pass without slowing down suddenly.
Beat the sway
Trailer sway can be scary, especially when being overtaken by larger vehicles. If your caravan starts to sway, resist the urge to brake! Instead, maintain or slightly increase your speed to regain control. Braking will only amplify the sway, putting you at risk of losing stability or rolling over.
Master the art of reverse parking
Backing into a caravan site can clearly be a challenge, but with a bit of teamwork, it doesn’t have to be stressful. To nail a reverse park, Tow-Ed courses suggest drivers use the “push-pull” method.
Here’s how it works: Your co-pilot stands on the driver’s side at the back of the caravan and uses simple “push” and “pull” signals to guide you. If they say “pull,” you turn the wheel left; if they say “push,” you turn right. With a little practice, you’ll be parking like a pro!
Take wide turns
Remember, with a caravan hitched up, you’re officially a “heavy vehicle,” so those quick turns you take in everyday driving are off-limits. Take turns wide and slow, waiting until your vehicle’s back tyre aligns with the corner before making the turn to avoid hitting curbs or obstacles.
Plan your route
Mapping out a suitable route is essential for towing a caravan. Sometimes the quickest way on Google Maps isn’t caravan-friendly, with tight roads or low bridges. GPS systems like the Hema HX-1 allow you to input your caravan’s height and weight, helping you avoid these issues altogether.
Invest in safety gadgets
Consider adding gadgets like caravan reversing cameras and electronic stability control (ESC) to your rig. ESC, for example, can significantly improve handling, especially in windy conditions or on tricky roads, and some insurers even offer discounts for these upgrades.
