Towing a caravan may seem like a great challenge considering the threat it may impose if not done in the right way. With guidance and practice, you will be towing your caravan with a lot of ease and confidence. There are various courses to assist as well. Below is a guide on how to tow a caravan safely:
Choose the right car to tow your caravan.
The following should be put into consideration while choosing which tow car to use:
- The weight of the tow car should be above the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass ( MTPLM) of the caravan that the car will be towing. Also, the caravan’s weight should not exceed 85% of the curb weight of the tow car. This is important as you do not want the caravan controlling the tow car instead of the other way round.
- Power is also an essential factor to put into consideration. Ensure that your tow car is a 2.0 litre diesel engine for the old models and a 1.6 turbo diesel engine for the new models. Having a tow car with low power will give you a hectic time on your journey as it will not have the required engine power to pull the caravan.
Choose the right towing tools.
When it comes to towing a caravan, ensure that the tow bar you are using best fits the towing you want to carry out. This is because there are different tow bars available. They carry out the same activity but differently. Here are a few tips on the different tow bars available:
- Retractable tow bar- these tow bars can be folded/ retracted and put out of sight.
- Fixed tow bar-these cannot be folded or removed from their position.
- AL-KO compatible tow ball-used when ensuring that there is adequate distance between the caravan and the bumper of the towing car.
- Detachable towbar- these can be removed from the towing car completely. The detachable towbar comes in various shapes and designs. These include detachable swan neck bars and detachable flange tow bars.
When it comes to the removable and detachable towbar, things like the bumper of your car determine which tow bar to use. For instance, most vehicles will use a vertical swan neck tow bar. For those with limited space in the bumper, a horizontal swan neck tow bar may be the best in this situation.
Ensure that your tow car and caravan are properly matched.
To be certain that your tow car and caravan have been matched properly, the nose weight should not be exceeded. The nose weight exerts on the tow ball when connected. The weight limit is usually 50-100 kg although it may raise to even 120 kg for 4*4 cars. The most stable position is for the caravan to be nose-down. Exceeding the above-stated weight may lead to steering problems so ensure that you maintain the said weight.
Add extended towing mirrors.
It is required to fixing towing mirrors when towing. The mirrors are extended and are useful in the sense that they offer an increased view from the side of the van. Ensure to remove your towing mirrors when you are not towing as this is illegal.
Do not overload.
Make sure that when loading your caravan, do not put too much weight as this may result in instability on the road. While loading ensures that the heavy objects are placed over the axis of the caravan and are low down. Also, avoid loading water tanks as they will cause a pendulum effect that will affect your driving. If you have heavy gas bottles, put them in the front of the van.
Follow the towing safety checks.
While towing there are several safety checks that you should carry out. They include:
- Closing all doors, windows, locks, and vents.
- Your caravan should have driving lights.
- The caravan and the towing car should have a matching number plate.
- The tyres should have enough pressure.
