Safe Caravan Towing Guide

Introduction

• ensure the vehicle and trailer are correctly equipped; and
• drive a vehicle and trailer combination safely.

Towing will affect your vehicle

• decreased acceleration and braking performance;
• reduced vehicle control and manoeuvrability; and
• increased fuel consumption.

• Allow for the trailer’s tendency to ‘cut-in’ on corners and curves.
• Allow longer distances for braking, overtaking and joining a traffic stream.
• When reversing, it is advisable to have someone outside the vehicle giving directions.
• Avoid sudden lane changes or changes of direction.
• Look further ahead than normal so you can react to changes in traffic or road conditions.
• Use the accelerator, brakes and steering smoothly and gently at all times.
• Use a lower gear when travelling downhill to increase vehicle control and reduce strain on brakes.
• Slow down well before entering corners and curves.

• Take care not to hold up traffic unnecessarily.
• Plan more rest stops and shorter travelling days as towing is more stressful and tiring than normal driving.
   

Legal requirements

• the vehicle and trailer must comply with all relevant registration requirements;
• the vehicle and trailer must be in a roadworthy and safe condition;
• all trailers must be fitted with a rear number plate and a registration label fixed to the left side or rear of the body, with the label facing outward;
• towbars and couplings must not obscure the towing vehicle’s number plate or rear lights when the trailer is not connected;
• towing more than one trailer is prohibited;
• people are not permitted to ride in trailers or caravans; and
• the speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer is the same as for a normal vehicle.
   

Definitions

Inspections

• offered for sale or disposed of by way of gift whilst registered;
• re-registered after being unregistered; or
•  transferred from interstate registration
   

Towing vehicle

• Ensure the vehicle is suitable for towing, if required, towing options such as special suspension or transmission options or load-distributing devices, that may be fitted to the vehicle by either the manufacturer, dealer or a firm specialising in towing equipment.
• Ensure the vehicle is properly equipped for the type and size of trailer:
• towbars and couplings must be of a suitable type and capacity;
• electrical sockets for lighting are required;
• suitable brake connections may be required;
• extra mirrors may be required for towing large trailers.

• the maximum towing capacity of the motor vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer; or
• the capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to the vehicle

• One and a half times the unladen mass of the motor vehicle if the trailer is fitted with brakes; or
• the unladen mass of the motor vehicle, if the trailer is not fitted with brakes.
   

Towbars

Couplings

• 50 mm ball couplings for trailers with an ATM up to 2300 kg;
• heavy duty 50 mm ball couplings for trailers with an ATM up to 3500 kg; and
• pintle hook couplings for trailers with an ATM up to 4500 kg.

Braking systems

• No brakes are required.
  
  Note: Where a trailer has two axles where the centres are less than 1 metre apart are regarded as a single axle.

• These trailers must be fitted with an efficient brake system that complies with ADR 38/-. Except for over-run brakes, all brakes must be operable from the driver's seat of the towing vehicle.

Safety chains

• trailers that do not exceed 2500 kg ATM must have at least one safety chain complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.4-2004 'Caravan and light trailer towing components Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500kg capacity', or be a safety cable with a certified load capacity of the same
• trailers over 2.5 tonnes and not exceeding 3.5 tonnes ATM must have two safety chains of designation of 3500 kg complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.42004
• trailers over 3500 kg ATM must have two safety chains made from steel of a minimum 800 MPa breaking stress that conforms to the mechanical properties of Grade T chain as specified inAustralian Standard AS 2321-1979 'Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes (non calibrated)' or Australian Standard AS 2321-2006 'Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes.' Each chain must be sized such that the minimum breaking load exceeds the ATM.

Safety Chain Connections (Shackles)  
 

1. Use of “D” Shackles that comply with AS 2741-2002 “Shackles” and having the appropriate markings is one way. TMR recommends this method.
2. Another way of ensuring that the “D” Shackle used is of appropriate strength is to select a “D” Shackle of reputed brand (for example, a towbar manufacturer) so the part has its brand name/model permanently marked on it.

Click here to view enlarged version

• Pin diameter of shackle will be greater than the diameter of the main shackle body.
• Same size shackles of different quality grades will have a different WLL (i.e. 6mm “S” grade shackle has a greater WLL than a 6mm “M” grade shackle).
• Stainless steel shackles are unsuitable for trailer use due to the material’s general low resistance to bending stresses.
• Bow shackles provide for greater angular usage compared with “D” shackles.

Rear Marker Plates (Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle Signs)

Driver

• allow for the extra length and width of a trailer when entering traffic and allow for its tendency to "cut in" on corners and curves;
• apply the accelerator, brakes and steering smoothly and gently to avoid sway, especially in wet or slippery conditions;
• allow for the increased effects of cross-winds, passing vehicles and uneven road surfaces on the vehicle and trailer combination;
• avoid applying the towing vehicle’s brakes if the trailer begins to sway or snake. If the trailer is fitted with brakes that can be operated independently, apply them gently. Otherwise, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slightly until the sway stops;
• leave a longer stopping distance to the vehicle ahead, increase the gap for longer, heavier trailers and allow even more distance in poor driving conditions;
• engage a lower gear in both manual and automatic vehicles when travelling downhill to increase vehicle control and reduce strain on brakes;
• allow more time and distance to overtake because of the reduced performance of the towing vehicle and avoid “cutting off” the overtaken vehicle when returning to the left lane;
• reverse, if possible, with a person watching the rear of the trailer - reversing is difficult and takes practice; and
• pull off the road where suitable, to avoid a build-up of traffic unable to overtake.
• be aware, when a heavy vehicle is overtaking the car/caravan combination, it will have a tendency to sway.

Loading trailers

• the ATM specified by the trailer manufacturer is not exceeded;
• lights, number plate and registration labels are not obscured in any way; and
• tyre or tow coupling capacities are not exceeded.

Load equalisers

Maintenance

• the towing vehicle and the trailer are in a roadworthy and safe condition; and
• the trailer’s wheel-bearings, suspension and brakes are in good working condition. This is particularly important for boat trailers or if the trailer has not been used for some time.

Before the trip

• inspect all tyres carefully. When towing heavily loaded trailers, vehicle tyre pressures should be increased to the level recommended in the owner’s handbook or on the tyre placard (usually about
• 15 kPa above normal). Otherwise, ask a reputable local tyre dealer;
• carry out normal service checks of oil, water, brake fluid, battery and tyre pressure., remembering that towing places additional demands on your vehicle;
• ensure the coupling socket and ball are the matching size. If the coupling is not a ball type check that all parts fit and function properly;
• check the coupling is securely fastened and latched or screwed down when the trailer is connected to the towing vehicle;
• check safety chains are properly connected with attachments capable of withstanding the specified breaking load of each chain. Do not use padlocks. If two chains are fitted, cross them under the drawbar before they are attached to the towing vehicle. This provides better directional control of the trailer and helps prevent the front of the drawbar hitting the road if the coupling disconnects;
• check trailer brake and light connections are secure and all lights work;
• check the initial operating adjustments of electric or vacuum operated brakes fitted to the trailer are in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
• disengage any reversing catch fitted to the trailer coupling (as used with over-run brakes);
• make one or two test stops from low speed to confirm the trailer brakes operate properly;
• ensure all doors, hatches, covers and any load or equipment are properly secured; and

During the trip

• couplings and safety chains are still fastened;
• brakes and wheel-bearings are not overheating;
• light connections are secure and lights are still working;
• tyres are still inflated correctly and are not rubbing on the mudguards, suspension, trailer body and so on;
• loads doors, hatches, covers and so on, are still properly secured.
• on long trips, repeat these checks every two to three hours when taking a rest stop.

Insurance

• it does not comply with Queensland registration and vehicle standard legislation;
• its on road mass exceeds your vehicle’s towing capacity;
• it is not roadworthy or safe; or
• it is overloaded.

A final word of advice

• scheduling more rest stops and shorter travelling days for long trips because towing is more stressful than normal driving and more likely to cause driver fatigue;
• taking care not to hold up following traffic unnecessarily;
• looking further ahead than usual to anticipate appropriate driving actions for traffic and road conditions; and
• remembering fuel consumption increases for most light vehicles towing caravans and large trailers, particularly at speeds above 90km/h.

Related documents and links