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CARAVAN AND TOW VEHICLE
TOWING
TOWING VEHICLES
Your new caravan is designed to be towed by a
normal motor car.
If you intend to tow it with a Pick-up type
vehicle, car derived van or a 4x4 vehicle
additional care should be exercised due to the
potential of harder rear suspension imposing
excessive loads/force onto the caravan.
You may also have to adjust your driving
style over rough terrain. Particular attention
should be given to the height of the tow ball in
relation to the caravan coupling.
Your new caravan should not be towed by a
commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight
in excess of over 3500kgs.
When selecting a towing vehicle, it is
recommended that you consult the Caravan
Towing Guide which is available form the NCC.
SPEED LIMITS
Where a lower limit is not in force, caravans
may be towed at up to a maximum of 50 mph
on single carriageways or 60 mph on dual
carriageways and motorways. For further
information on towing regulations can be
found in the Highway Code.
PULLING AWAY
• Allow more engine speed to produce the
power to move the additional weight of the
caravan.
• Always let the clutch out smoothly, to
avoid wear and tear on the clutch plate and
transmission.
• Change gears smoothly. Ensure optimum
revs are always used when changing gears.
• Try not to drop the clutch.
CARAVAN HANDLING
• Make allowances for the caravan being
slightly wider than the car.
• Allow additional distance from the kerb
with caravan wheels so that they are not
“kerbed”.
• When passing other vehicles allow more
than normal clearance for driving solo.
• Overtaking and stopping distances are
increased when you are towing.
• Always indicate in plenty of time before
carrying out any manoeuvre.
• Allow longer to accelerate up to speed prior
to overtaking.
• Allow for the vehicle being twice its normal
length.
• Do not suddenly swing out.
• Carry out all manoeuvres as smoothly as
possible.
REVERSING
Skilled reversing can only be achieved with
practice and should be first attempted in an
open area. Consider a suitable training course.
MOTORWAY DRIVING
Caravans may not be towed in the outside lane
of three or four lane Motorways (Reg 12(2)
of the motorway Traffic [England and Wales]
Regulations 1982).
Reduce speed in high winds, cross winds,
driving downhill or in poor visibility.
High-sided vehicles such as lorries or coaches
can cause air buffeting, so extra care must
be taken when passing or being passed. Give
as much space as is possible between your
caravan and the high-sided vehicle.
MIRRORS
The law requires the driver of the towing
vehicle to have an adequate view to the rear.
If there is no rear-view through the caravan
windows it may be necessary to have
additional exterior towing mirrors fitted to
provide a view along both sides of the caravan.
In some countries these additional mirrors are
a legal requirement.
Any rear view mirror must not project more
than 200mm outside:
• The width of the caravan when being towed.
• The width of the towing vehicle when driven
solo.
Any additional rear-view mirror fitted shall be
of an approved European type and cover the
field of view as stipulated by the regulators.
Passengers are forbidden to ride in a
caravan at any time.
SNAKING
This is a term used to denote an unstable car
and caravan combination where the caravan
“weaves” from side to side often causing a
similar swaying movement in the car itself.
Possible causes are:
• Insufficient tyre pressure on either the
caravan or the tow vehicle.
• Tow vehicle is too light.
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