Know Before You Tow

Towing a Caravan will alter the way the car performs, it will decrease its acceleration and braking ability, and can affect a vehicle’s general control. It's wise to practice with short trips before you attempt a long journey.

To improve your safety and that of fellow road users when towing a caravan:

• Pay particular attention when accelerating and braking, especially when approaching corners.
• Leave more distance than usual between yourself and the vehicle in front, and allow plenty of extra time and space if entering traffic.
• Allow more time and distance when overtaking other road users and ensure you are well past them before moving back to the left hand side of the road again.
• Be careful when driving in poor conditions or in high winds, as their impacts are magnified when towing a caravan.
• Where possible, pull over regularly to allow following vehicles to overtake.
• As reversing with a caravan is difficult, where possible drive out forward from a parking spot. When practicing reversing, ensure it is done in a safe environment and have someone to guide you.
• Ensure load distributing hitches are set up properly and the load in the caravan is correctly distributed, to reduce the chance of the caravan swaying.
• Swaying is more prone in high winds, particularly side winds, or when passing approaching larger vehicles.
• Keep left to give overtaking vehicles as much space as possible.
• Plan plenty of rest stops to avoid the onset of fatigue - but remember if you are fatigued the only cure is sleep. It's important to remember that falling asleep at the wheel is a very real and deadly consequence of driving when fatigued. If you're tired, don't drive.

Prestige Jayco hope you enjoy discovering the freedom and hope you have a safe journey.