Driving techniques

If you haven’t towed a caravan before, seek advice from one of the large caravanning organisations.

You should also consider attending one of their courses, which cover safety aspects such as loading, manoeuvring and driving techniques.

You can find detailed guidance on all aspects of towing in the booklet The Caravan Towing Guide, which is available from

National Caravan Council Ltd Catherine House, Victoria Road
Aldershot, Hants GU11 1SS
Tel 01252 318251
Fax 01252 322596
Email [email protected]
thencc.org.uk

thencc.org.uk/downloads/NCC_Towing_Guide_0415.pdf 426

Manoeuvring

Drivers without experience of towing need to take great care, particularly when manoeuvring.

Don’t be afraid to practise reversing in a quiet car park until you’ve mastered the technique.

On the road

Always be aware of the increased weight, length and width of the combined vehicles.

You’ll soon adjust to the different techniques involved in towing, so long as you remember not to hurry any manoeuvres and to plan well ahead. You should

• allow more time and brake earlier when slowing down or stopping
• give yourself three times the normal distance and time to overtake safely
• take account of the extra length, particularly when turning or emerging at junctions.

Snaking

Never attempt to correct swerving or ‘snaking’ by increasing speed, steering sharply (zigzagging), or braking hard.

The safe technique is to

• ease off the accelerator slowly
• allow a certain amount of ‘twitch’ in the steering
• reduce speed until the snaking has stopped.

High-sided vehicles

You need to take extra care when passing or being passed by high-sided vehicles.

Allow as much space as possible to avoid the effects of turbulence or buffeting.

Speed limits

Some speed limits are lower than normal when you’re towing. Unless road signs tell you otherwise, you mustn’t exceed

• 30 mph (48 km/h) in built-up areas
• 50 mph (80 km/h) on single carriageways
• 60 mph (96 km/h) on dual carriageways or motorways.

Reduce your speed

• in high winds or side winds
• when going downhill
• in poor visibility.

faster traffic pass.

Motorway driving

Caravans or trailers mustn’t be towed in the outside lane of a motorway that has more than two lanes, unless other lanes are closed.

Side winds

You should be aware of the dangers of side winds when towing a caravan or high-sided trailer. See pages 321–2 for more information.