Alex Spurway’s beginners guide to caravan towing

Looking to get away on a road trip these holidays? Chances are you’ve considered hiring a van, but did you know that caravans present a great alternative? If you’ve ever thought about towing but have no idea where to start, don’t stress! Hitching up to a tow doesn’t need to be as scary as it sounds. As someone who is fairly new to towing, these are my learnings and experiences, and a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering hiring a caravan.

Why choose a caravan for your next trip?

There are many reasons why you might decide to choose a caravan over your more typical van or motorhome, but these two stand out above the rest:

Space and comfort: You’ll have a lot more indoor space to utilise and move around in when you don’t have a driver's compartment. In many ways, a caravan can feel a lot more homey and cosy than a van as the entire vehicle is dedicated to living spaces, making it great for families or couples wanting a bit of extra space. If the weather turns during your trip, you’ll be grateful for the extra room! Because you’re afforded this luxury, everything in a caravan is just that little bit more comfortable.

Flexibility: Having flexibility to leave the caravan at the site and head off in your everyday vehicle is a huge benefit. No longer are you limited by where you can take the van - you’re free to roam in your own vehicle. When it comes to Camplify hires, this is huge, as many hires don’t allow off-road use, so a caravan is a great option if you’re planning to leave the van behind and explore off the beaten track. Not to mention, the entire van doesn’t have to be packed up every time you want to drive somewhere.

Prerequisites to tow?

Before you jump on Camplify and book yourself a flashy caravan hire, there are a few things you’ll need to know:

• Know your vehicle limitations: Most (but not all) caravans require a 4X4 or large SUV to tow. Lightweight options do exist that are able to be towed by smaller SUVs and sedans, however for the best and safest towing experience, a 4X4 or AWD capable vehicle is recommended.

• Know your weight limitations: Make sure you know how much your vehicle can tow - this can easily be found online. Understand the difference between braked and unbraked towing capacity - caravans are all going to require your vehicle’s braked towing capacity, as they have their own braking system. (In comparison, unbraked would refer to something like a small trailer). If you’re in a smaller SUV, lightweight options under 2000kg will be your best bet.

• Accessories: No matter what type of caravan you’re looking at, you’ll need to ensure your vehicle is set up to tow. You’ll need a towbar and a hitch to be able to tow anything. The most widely used and common hitch is your 50mm towball, which will allow you to tow the majority of caravans available for hire (just double check with your hirer for specifics). If your vehicle has a towbar installed, there is a good chance it also has the necessary wiring harness, which you’ll need to connect up the lighting and electrics - definitely double check this before you book!

• An electric brake controller is another important piece of kit - this is hardwired into your dashboard to allow you to control the brakes of an auxiliary vehicle. If your vehicle doesn't have this, don’t stress. There are many caravans available that you can tow without a controller. In some circumstances, the owner may be able to supply and fit an external brake controller.

• Towing mirrors are not essential, but make towing a larger and taller caravan much safer and give you that extra piece of mind. Most owners are happy to provide mirrors if required, so be sure to double check upon booking.

Tips for on the road:

With all that said and done, you’ll be ready to hit the road in no time. If you’re a first time tower, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your travels are safe and stress free:

• Talk with the hirers: During your Camplify handover process, the hirers will walk you through everything you need to know, making sure you feel comfortable and confident before setting off. If you’re a first time tower, have a chat with them, they’ll be able to assist you with your questions.

• Braking: If you’re towing a caravan, you’ll feel it and your braking distance will be longer than normal, so take it easy and leave yourself plenty of room. Smooth acceleration and braking is key to avoid the caravan tugging you when you take off, and pushing you when you brake.

• Turning: Allow yourself plenty of room with turns, and if you need to, don’t be afraid to swing out further to allow yourself extra room (if safe to do so).

• On the road: For general safety on the road, ensure you are giving yourself and other vehicles on the road plenty of room when merging, turning or passing in narrow lanes.

• Reversing: If you’re a first time tower, I would recommend just avoiding the need to reverse as much as practically possible. If you need to make a u-turn, it’s easier and safer to spend that little bit of time driving around the block to get back to where you started. Look for drive-through campsites where you can drive straight in, and straight out to avoid headaches when packing up at the end of the trip.

• Plan your route: You want to know in advance that the roads you need to take are caravan-friendly. Try to limit things like steep grades, unsealed roads, narrow or single lane sections, u-turns, or any roads you might not feel confident on. Plan it out beforehand to avoid stress during your trip.

Any alternatives?

Even if you don’t have the right vehicle or expertise to tow a caravan, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out! Camplify has a range of alternative options available, some of which I bet you didn't know about:

• Tow vehicle hire: If you need a set of wheels for towing, you can also hire that on Camplify! Whether you’re hiring just the tow vehicle, or a tow vehicle and caravan combo, this is another great option if you don’t own a large 4X4 - let's face it, many of us are weekend warriors that don’t have that luxury.

• Hybrid Caravans: The easiest vehicles to tow, hybrid caravans are a great way to experience caravan life while being much more flexible and accessible for a wide range of vehicles. These can include camper trailers, pop top caravans and expandable caravans. Hybrid caravans are built to be lighter and more compact, without sacrificing comfort.

• Caravan delivery: If you don’t have a tow vehicle and still want to enjoy time away in a caravan, this is by far the best option. Many Camplify owners offer the option of delivery within a certain radius. Forget towing altogether, just arrive at the site and your caravan will be set up ready to go.

Now that you’re ready to get on the road with a caravan, head to our caravan booking page to browse hundreds of options right across the country. While you’re there, check out our guide on being an eco-friendly camper, and have a look at our roundup of the best things to see and do in Kiama.