CARAVANS - TOWING WITH CONFIDENCE

Thinking About Taking A Trip With A Caravan In Tow? Here Are Some

Handy Hints…


Towing for the first time can be daunting, so it is a good idea to talk to someone who's done it before. A little advice can prevent mishaps or accidents which could take the edge off your holiday. Any 'old timer' will tell you that the driver needs to have good anticipation and the car needs adequate engine power and torque - and above all good brakes!


It's also worth checking out whether your own car is suitable for towing, or whether you might have to consider investing in a more suitable vehicle. A glance at the side profile, according to Caravan Club writer Stuart Bladon, will give a clue or two to the car's potential.
If it has a relatively long wheelbase and if the rear overhang - that is, the distance between the rear wheels and the back of the car, is short, then it should do the job. It helps, too, if the suspension, especially at the back, is fairly firm.
Pulling a trailer of any sort inevitably means more work for the engine, which in turn means higher fuel consumption. For this reason, many caravaners have opted for diesel engines, which give good economy figures even when towing. However, if you watch the speed limit (50mph off the motorway) and negotiate steep inclines carefully, then even your petrol-powered car shouldn't notch up too high a holiday fuel bill.
Fitting the right equipment
Whatever car you choose to set off in, it's important to fit a 50mm tow-ball and wiring socket. Your dealer will be more than happy to advise on how to equip your car for towing - it might cost about £200 for the kit plus labour, but you will have peace of mind that your car is ready for the off.
You must also ensure that the caravan's obligatory lights - stop, tail and rear foglamps as well as front sidelamps - are all wired into the car's electrical system. And don't forget your registration plate!
Your caravan will probably be wider than your car, so you will have to fit a long-reach mirror to enable you to see past the offside of the caravan -and if you're planning to venture abroad, a mirror for the nearside would be handy, too.
Fitting the caravan onto the car is a job which can be done single-handed - but it helps if there are two of you, especially if this is the first time you've had to tackle this! The experts would suggest you use the following check-list as a guide:
* Check the tow ball and clean off any dirt/rust.
* Make sure it's well greased (use oil if you have no grease).
* Reverse car up to caravan, deliberately off-centre, to bring the tow-
ball alongside the coupling; engage handbrake.
* Align tow-ball and coupling by hand and engage.
Once the car and caravan are connected it's a good idea to run a check on all the lights - you will have more chance of replacing bulbs and fuses before you leave home than halfway up a Welsh hillside!
Loading up
It's so very tempting to take full advantage of the caravan's huge stowage space, but it's important to give some thought to how you load up. It's advisable to put very heavy items in the boot of the car, and to pack heavier foodstuffs - e.g. tinned foods - in the lower lockers. Bedding and clothes can also be quite heavy, to these should be stowed as far forward as possible.
A ride in a caravan can be pretty lively, especially if it's windy, so do pack any breakables carefully. Heavy items in lockers should be wedged in to avoid damage to other things and doors should be firmly closed.
Before you set off make sure that all windows and roof vents are firmly closed and that the caravan door is locked. Check the mirrors too, so that they are set comfortably for you.
On the road
You will be very conscious of the extra length the caravan has added to your car, but it is crucial to keep this in mind. Avoid taking sharp corners too tightly - the caravan's wheels are set further apart than the car’s, so could clip the kerb otherwise.
Don't forget, too, that there's extra width - and height - in the caravan, so perhaps some of the prettier routes along narrow lanes are best forsaken for the main roads!
If this is your first caravan holiday, you might feel that whatever happens, you will have no wish to overtake, but there will be slower vehicles on the road - in the summer, there will be plenty of tractors about! It shouldn't be too difficult to get the hang of it, after a deep breath or two.
Pick a clear stretch and drop down a gear or even two to allow for the towed weight. Check your offside mirror, of course, to ensure that no one has crept up to overtake you and go for it as safely and swiftly as you can.
You're probably aware that on the motorway the speed limit is 60mph, but on all other roads that drop to 50mph, so don't be caught out. On three or four-lane motorways you are not permitted in the fast lane, but may overtake on two-lane motorways.
It's a good idea to slow down as you approach a steep descent, as the caravan is in danger of 'snaking' if you take it too fast. On motorways, too, be mindful that heavy trucks going by at speed can cause sideways movement of the caravan - but if you remain aware of what's coming up behind you, you can allow for this.
It's all common sense really. If you do your homework before you go, your holiday should be fun from start to finish.