For many, driving can be a difficult and stressful affair. For these people, the addition of a large and cumbersome vehicle added on to the back of the car can make a difficult situation lots worse. Even seasoned and comfortable drivers can find the task of caravan towing a tricky one.
Becoming accustomed to the feeling of towing a caravan and improving driving skills is primarily a case of practise. Making sure you’ve got everything right in preparation for the trip, though, is something that is easily fixed. Knowing that you’ve done everything you can to make the journey safe and legal should be a huge comfort to drivers.
First off, you’ll need to check that you are licensed to tow your vehicle. Depending on whether your license was obtained before or after January 1st 1997, the rules vary about exactly what weight of tow you can pull. The golden rule is to check your specific license for details, and make sure that you’ve got all the necessary paperwork with you for your trip. If you’ve got a provisional license, you are not allowed to tow, even if you are with an instructor.
Some vehicles simply aren’t up to the challenge of towing large caravans. If you try to tow a huge luxury campervan up a steep incline with a small three door car, you might run into difficulty. You should look to tow with a vehicle that has a long wheelbase and a reasonable amount of power. The towing vehicle should be in good condition and have been for a recent MOT. If you are at all concerned about any aspect of the tow, ask your local caravan dealer or garage to offer advice. They may even be able to give you the tune up you need to stay safe.
Your tow bar is the vital link between your car and caravan. Of course, it needs to be up to scratch. Get yours fitted by a trained professional, and ensure that you have learned how to safely attach your tow. It may seem like a simple process when you are shown, but finding you can’t remember how to couple the vehicles at the end of your holiday can be a frustrating and embarrassing issue.
Speed limits are different for vehicles towing caravans. Importantly, your maximum speed limit is capped at 60mph, rather than the usual 70mph. There are also revised rules for lower speed limits on various other roads, such as a 50mph speed limit on single carriageways. For drivers used to travelling without a tow, this can be a difficult adjustment, and you may well feel like you are slowing up the entire road’s worth of traffic. If you find it hard to remember, stick a reminder note next to your speedometer.
Your caravan obstructs important safety and information features at the back of your car. It is a legal requirement that a replacement number plate is clearly on show, and you’ll also need to fit brake lights, directional indicators, reflectors and other safety gear such as wide mirrors. Make sure you’ve bought and tested all this equipment in good time before your holiday.
Following the ground rules for towing is the ideal start for making the experience as painless and as safe as possible. Even if you do feel completely comfortable, however, it is always advisable to be covered by Caravan Insurance before you set off.
