TIPS TO PROPERLY LOAD A CARAVAN FOR TOWING

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TIPS TO PROPERLY LOAD A CARAVAN FOR TOWING
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What are your weights
The first thing you need to become aware if is
your towing weights. This can be done by
calculating your total weight capacity. If you
know this figure, your next task will be to find
out what your towing loads are (also called
caravan and cargo weights). This is done by
calculating the weight of each individual item in
the caravan. Obviously, some items will weigh
more than others. This can depend on whatever
items you have inside the trailer. So, in order
to get an accurate total weight, you need a few
items fuel tanks, water tank, pump up tyres etc.
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The basics caravan towing tips you should know
are

• Towing capacity - this is the maximum weight
  that your vehicle can tow. Manufacturers test
  weight restrictions on vehicles and this is how
  the tow weight is calculated, based on the
  vehicles maximum pulling capacity behind it.
  These guidelines should be adhered to as if you
  tow more it places way too much stress on the
  vehicle and you risk damage to the vehicle.
• Aggregate Trailer Mass - This is the maximum
  weight that your vehicle can weigh when fully
  loaded.
• Gross Trailer Mass - The weight that the fully
  loaded trailer places on the axle when its
  attached to the tow vehicle.
• Tare Mass - The weight of the empty caravan not
  including the weight of any accessories fitted
  aftermarket.

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How to load your caravan.
There is a very simple rule when towing, all
heavy items need to be placed as low as possible
in the centre of the caravan, over the axle.
Never load heavy items on the drawbars one at the
front or back of the van. You should always make
sure that the van is weighed evenly for a smooth,
safe ride.
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What signs tell you that there is an issue, and
your caravan is not loaded correctly.
Reduced steering control, this becomes a major
issue especially when you are out on the
highway towing at speeds over 100km/ph.
Swaying, or swaying, when you are towing, and
your caravan gets the wobbles and moves from
side to side indicates the weight inside the
caravan has not had the weight evenly spread out
for safe towing. This makes you at risk of the
vehicle and/or caravan overturning which is not
just extremely dangerous to yourself and
passengers travelling with you but to other road
users also. Reduced brake control, when you
begin to notice that your brakes are less
responsive than usual over time as this can lead
to the brakes failing and land you in a whole
heap of stress and trouble.
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Get to know how to use your towing accessories.

• There are some very good caravan towing
  accessories on the market that add to making your
  vehicle and caravan safe and protected when you
  are out travelling on the road. Protecting
  yourself, family and friends and other road
  users needs to be a high importance as towing
  something behind you becomes a dangerous missile
  if something goes wrong.
• Weight distribution hitches can be extremely
  valuable. These have been designed to lessen the
  stress on the rear of your vehicle and result in
  a safer experience when you are towing caravan.
• Electric brake controller assists in manoeuvring
  you out of a swaying situation
• Airbag suspension may additionally be useful to
  assist in towing heavy loads.

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Some additional basics are

• Only take what you need to limit the weight
  inside the caravan.
• Pack heavy items in low cupboards of the caravan
• Pack as much weight as you can on the axels of
  the van
• Load the caravan evenly on both sides internally.
• Pack everything away when picking up and make
  sure it is all secured before beginning to move
  the vehicle again
• Check the weight of the caravan before you add
  water. You can easily make the van overweight by
  filling the water tanks unnecessarily

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Finally, before taking off on your trip make sure
you do a final check, its vital to make sure all
your towing accessories are in well working
order. Check doors are securely closed and locks
work well, make sure all the windows are locked
and latched both from the inside and outside, and
make sure all cupboards and external storage
doors are locked. Make sure your gas bottles are
full enough and that you remove the power from
the fridge if you have had it turned on and
transfer it over to gas. Check the weight of the
trailer and if needed fill with water to ensure
the van is weighed correctly. Remove the chucks
from the wheels, theres nothing worse than
driving over them and they split. Not only will
you have a crushed mess, but you will also have
none at the other end is you need them. Now all
thats left to do is load up the family in the
tow vehicle, buckle up and drive off to enjoy
some time away!
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Thank You

• Email

• Website

• Phone

• onlinesales_at_carasel.net.au

• 1800 869 227

• https//www.carasel.com.au/