9. Once “Hitched Up”, are the corner
steadies fully retracted, and the
caravan handbrake OFF?
10. Has the caravan step been stowed
away?
11. Are the caravan door, windows,
lockers and roof lights closed and
secured?
12. Is the rear number plate correct and
clearly visible?
13. Is the gas system turned off for
towing.
14. If fitted check ATC system.
(See page 14).
15. Is the caravan loaded correctly and all
items secure?
16. Is the sink empty of all items including
the bowl?
SPEED LIMITS
Normal road towing: 50mph (80 kp/h)
Motorways (including
Dual carriageways): 60mph (96 kp/h)
PULLING OFF
Let the clutch out smoothly.
Allow more engine speed to produce the
power to move the additional weight of the
caravan.
Avoid wear and tear on clutch and
transmission by taking extra care.
Change gears smoothly.
Try not to jerk the clutch.
CARAVAN HANDLING
Allow for caravan being wider than car.
Do not bump kerb with caravan wheels.
When passing other vehicles allow more
than normal clearance for driving solo.
Allow longer to get up speed to pass.
Allow for the vehicle being twice its normal
length.
Do not suddenly swing out.
Carry out all manoeuvres as smoothly as
possible.
Use nearside wing mirror to check caravan
has cleared when overtaking.
REVERSING
It is advisable to have a second person
available when reversing the caravan. Start
practising by choosing a left-hand bend for
ease. Reverse slowly, turning the wheel,
initially the opposite way to the direction you
want the caravan to go.
Now the front of the caravan is nudged out
and moving the rear in the intended
direction. Take care not to hit the van with
the car!
Midway through the manoeuvre, when the
caravan is correctly angled, slow to a crawl
and gradually apply opposite lock. Make the
car follow the caravan round then finally
straighten up.
22
PREPARING FOR THE ROAD/TOWING AND DRIVING
CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO PREVENT
FOULING WHEN TRAVERSING
RAMPS OR OTHER GROUND
OBSTACLES
Caravans may not be towed in the
outside lane of a three or four lane
motorway. (Ref. 12(2) of the
Motorway Traffic (England and Wales)
Regulations 1982)
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