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If the lure of the open road and the independent lifestyle beckons, maybe it's time to hitch up a caravan to try something different for your next holiday. Yet if you have questions and are not sure if you're ready for some of those white-knuckled experiences caused by ill preparation, examine some of the things you need to be aware of.
The biggest challenge for towing novices, and unfortunately one of the key causes of accidents, is the way that the caravan or trailer is hitched to the towing vehicle. This can be controlled by following a set procedure when you are configuring your towing set up and preparing for the journey.
Addressing Configuration And Load Balance
You may have heard horror stories about fish tailing (aka, sway) which is a side to side motion of the trailer when in motion. This can often be triggered by crosswinds or when passing a larger vehicle. Try to avoid establishing a configuration where the hitch of the caravan is a long way behind the axle of the towing vehicle. The more distance here, the more of a "fulcrum" and an ability to initiate swaying. It's also important to make sure that the weight carried in both the towing vehicle and caravan trailer are as evenly balanced as possible or spread over the available floor space accordingly.
Checking the Hitch Weight
In an ideal world, you will want to be sure that your hitch weight is adequate. This is the amount of weight, as a proportion of the total weight of the trailer, impacting on the hitch or the tongue of the trailer. Your entire journey will be more stable and less of a chore if you can keep the hitch weight to about 10% of the total weight. If in doubt, head for the nearest commercial weighing scale and make some observations. If you're not sure about how to record your hitch weight as a proportion of the total, ask the attendant to help you determine it.
Overhauling The Toll Vehicle
While you might be focusing your interest on the caravan and how that is configured, do not lose sight of the need to keep the towing vehicle in top shape. In particular, the springs should be stiffer and the brakes should be recently overhauled. Often times a well-prepared towing vehicle can more than make up for an incorrectly balanced caravan behind.
For more information or advice, contact a company such as Maroondah Towing Service.
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