Caravan Towing Guide - Getting To Your Caravan Site Safely
Caravan Laden Weight
You should not exceed the maximum trailer weight and vehicle / trailer combination weights allowed under your driving licence.
You should not tow any caravan or trailer which exceeds your vehicle manufacturers recommended towing limit.
The Caravan Club recommend that the laden weight of the caravan be no more than 85% of the Maximum Gross Weight of the car (as long as this value does not exceed the manufaturers towing limit).
Caravan Nose Weight
It is recommended that the caravan nose weight, (the weight it places downwards on the towwoing hitch), be between 50kg and 100kg (as long as it is not heavier than the vehicle or towing bracket manufactures limits).
To measure a caravans nose weight, you can use a commercially available scale or bathroom scales (privided a 10mm+ thick board is placed on the scales to spead the load of the caravan evenly over the scales). A piece of wood can then be placed between the towing hitch and the board on the scales. The jockey wheel is then wound up to allow the weight of the caravan to be placed onto the scales.
Weight Distribution
To achieve the required nose weight (above), you may have to pack things into your car, caravan combination in places different to their normal storgage place. E.g. to reduce nose weight, things usually stored in the front locker may have to be placed further back within the caravan or in under seat storage. Always ensure things are secured, do not place heavy objects where they can move about.
To reduce the risk of 'snaking', it is better to place as much weight as possible directly over the caravan axel(s). Weight placed either right at the front or right at the back of the caravan has a pendulum efffect and can increase the effects of snaking considerably.
Snaking
To minimise the risk, check your caravan load weight distribution, fit a stabiliser or an modern Alko stabiliser towing hitch.
If your caravan should start to snake:
Keep the vehicle in a straight line, do not try to steer out, your reactions will not be quick enough and you will probably make it worst.
Do not brake sharply, this could cause a jack-knife.
To slow down change down a gear and gently take both feet of the pedals. If you are going down hill, apply the brakes gently to avoid increasing speed.
Do not try to accelerate out of it. This will not work unless your vehicle is incredibly powerful. It will only result is 'snaking' at a heigher speed and therefore more danger.
Towing Mirrors
Always fit towing mirrors to your vehicle which allow you to see clearly down both sides of your caravan.
Further Information
For more information about towing visit The National Trailer & Towing Accociation
Caravan Sites - An Online Guide provides this information as a guideline only. It is based on current known best practices. Neither the editor nor DIT Inspired Marketing or any other person or company associated with the production of this guide accepts any responsibility for any inaccuracies in the information provided. It is the responsibility of the person towing the caravan to ensure that any information they rely on is safe, correct, up-to-date and complies with current laws.
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