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
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.
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
Never attempt to correct swerving or ‘snaking’ by increasing speed, steering sharply (zigzagging), or braking hard.
The safe technique is to
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.
Some speed limits are lower than normal when you’re towing. Unless road signs tell you otherwise, you mustn’t exceed
Reduce your speed
faster traffic pass.
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.
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.