Pulling your weight: Our stress-free guide to towing a caravan

03 Dec 2024

5 minutes

It’s holiday time and there’s no better way to get outdoors than by hitching up the van and hitting the open road. But before the adventure begins, there’s a bunch of tips and tricks that will make your caravanning trip way more enjoyable. And legal because that’s important too, right? When it comes to towing rules and safety, we’ve got you covered so you’ll be kicking back by the van at your favourite Reflections Holidays campsite quicker than a fuel stop on a busy long weekend!

Know your weights: Don’t rely on guesswork

In Australia, understanding the weight limits of your car and caravan is essential—not just for safety but to comply with the law. Here’s what you need get your head around:

Towing Capacity: Your car has a maximum towing capacity, which is the maximum weight it can safely tow. You’ll find this info in your vehicle’s manual. Exceeding it is illegal and dangerous.
ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass): This is the maximum weight your caravan can be when fully loaded, as specified by the manufacturer.
GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): This is the maximum your towing vehicle can weigh when fully loaded.
GCM (Gross Combination Mass): This is the combined weight of your fully loaded car and caravan.

Our golden rule for caravanning is to keep the caravan’s loaded weight at no more than 85% of your car’s towing capacity for extra safety.

Make sure you’re licensed to tow

In NSW, a standard driver’s license is usually all you need for towing a caravan, provided the combined weight of your car and caravan doesn’t exceed 4.5 tonnes. But if you’re towing a heavier setup, you may need a different class of license. Before you hit the road, check your specific requirements to avoid fines or complications spoiling a perfectly good camping trip.

It’s all in the hitch up

The fridge is stocked, the house is locked and you’re good to go? Not quite… Here’s when you’ll want to take a minute because attaching your caravan isn’t something you want to rush. Here’s what you need to check:

The tow bar on your vehicle must match or exceed your caravan’s ATM rating.
Safety chains must be securely attached between the caravan and the vehicle. In NSW, trailers over 2,000kg ATM must have two safety chains.
Have you connected the electrical plug and are all lights (indicators, brake lights, etc.) working properly?
Give everything a good tug to make sure its secure – better safe than sorry!

Mirrors and visibility

Towing a caravan isn’t rocket science but it can take a little getting used to. One thing that’s a non-negotiable is visibility. You must have a clear view of the road behind you. If your caravan obstructs your rear view, then towing mirrors are mandatory. They’re not just a courtesy—they’re a legal requirement in NSW. Without them, you could face fines and demerit points, so avoid any drama and wack them on before you take off.

Slow it down

In most states, the speed limit for cars towing caravans is the same as for regular vehicles unless otherwise stated. Towing a caravan is no easy feat so why not click into holiday mode as soon as you leave your driveway and drive a little slower for safety. It’s best to stick to 80–100 km/h on highways and freeways and adjust your speed based on road conditions, weather, and traffic.

Give you and your setup plenty of space on the open road and remember to allow extra time for braking, as towing a caravan increases your stopping distance significantly.

Balance and load your caravan properly

Packing to go away can be a little overwhelming and the temptation to throw it all in, just in case, is real. We get it. But a well-balanced caravan is key to a smooth and safe trip, so keep the boardgames to a minimum. Distribute heavy items over the axle and keep them low to avoid sway. Your caravan’s “nose weight” (the downward force on the tow ball) should be around 10% of the caravan’s total weight. Too much or too little can cause instability.

Avoid overloading the caravan—it’s both dangerous and illegal, and at Reflections Holidays, you’re never too far from whatever it is you’ll suddenly need. It’s a good idea to always weigh your caravan fully loaded before hitting the road (and keep the souvenirs to a minimum while you’re away!).

Understand sway control

Most of us have seen it in action and its scary - caravan sway is every tower’s nightmare, but it’s preventable. To keep movement of your van low, make sure:

Your caravan is loaded correctly and balanced.
Tyres on both the car and caravan are inflated to the correct pressure.
You drive at safe speeds, especially in windy conditions or when passing large vehicles.
Lots of modern caravans come with built-in sway control systems, and if yours doesn’t, consider investing in one. It’s a game-changer for stability.

Plan your route

Potholes and tight squeezes are a caravan’s worst nightmare, turning one of our easy-going NSW road trips into a ‘hurry up and get there’ drive. A little planning goes a long way to avoid steep inclines, narrow roads, or low-clearance bridges because some roads are just not as caravan friendly as others. Our tip? Use caravan-specific GPS systems or apps to help you find safe and easy routes.

Legal check list

A police fine isn’t the best start to any adventure, so if you’re travelling in NSW, make sure your caravan complies with the following:

Registration: All caravans need to be registered, and you’ll need to carry the certificate with you.
Roadworthiness: Lights, brakes, tyres, and safety chains must all meet legal standards.
Breakaway Systems: If your caravan has an ATM over 2,000kg, it must have a breakaway system that applies the brakes if it becomes detached from the tow vehicle.

Practice makes perfect

It’s time to wack the L plates on (not really but you know what we mean…) and take your rig out for a few practice drives in quieter areas before hitting the busy roads. If you’re new to towing, practice turning, reversing, and braking while towing to build up the confidence. Remember, reversing a caravan can feel a bit backward (literally)—small, steady movements are key and before you know it, you’ll be a caravanning pro! We also have some great tips here on parking your van like a pro.

Sunnies on, handbrake off… let’s go!

Towing a caravan can seem a little daunting at first, but with preparation and practice, you’ll be a seasoned road tripper in no time. Stick to the rules, take it slow, and don’t stress if you need to pull over to let faster vehicles pass. After all, the whole point of caravanning is to enjoy the journey as much as your final Reflections Holidays destination.