Car Parts and Accessories

A well-matched combination is little different to drive than a solo vehicle. However, towing does reduce engine performance, so provide for this when attempting to overtake. Provided the caravan’s brakes are operating properly, braking should not be affected appreciably, but care should be taken nevertheless as braking characteristics differ from vehicle to vehicle.

When turning, or overtaking a slower vehicle, remember to provide for the combination’s extra length. Never coast— with or without a caravan in tow and, on long downhill runs, engage a lower gear rather than overheat the brakes by constant application—a practice which could lead to brake failure, especially in vehicles where the brake fluid has been used for a number of years.

On gradients select a gear which will allow you to travel at a reasonable speed within the engine’s optimum torque band and keep left to allow faster vehicles to overtake you safely.

When you are travelling in convoy, leave a large enough gap between yourself and the vehicle ahead to allow other vehicles to overtake safely.

A properly maintained and correctly loaded caravan should not be susceptible to sway. When this does occur, however, never attempt acceleration as a corrective measure. Ease off on the accelerator and try, as far as possible, to drive in a straight line—gently applying the brake where circumstances permit. Do not continue driving but check load distribution, tyre pressures and the condition of the tow hitch and attachments before proceeding with your journey.

Auto Caravanning Licensing and safety requirements

Trailer OR Caravans must be currently licensed and covered by compulsory third party insurance, with the discs correctly displayed. If the trailer or caravan obstructs rear vision through the conventional rearview mirror, outside rearview mirrors are necessary.

Emergency warning signs (triangles) must be carried and displayed during emergency stops by placing them not less than 45 metres behind and in front of the vehicle, approximately as far from the edge of the road as the centre point of the vehicle is from the edge of the road. The retro-reflective surface of the triangles must face away from the vehicle. On a one-way road, such as a freeway, only one triangle need be displayed, 45 metres behind the vehicle (the side from which traffic approaches the vehicle).

Auto Touring and Towing/Protection from Damage

Protecting the windscreen and headlight lenses

WINDSCREENS and headlight lenses can be broken by stones thrown up by the wheels of passing or overtaking vehicles, and a wire mesh or plastic screen to guard against this hazard can be useful for motorists who regularly travel on unmade roads.

However, a mesh guard in front of your windscreen can severely interfere with visibility, so use it only when absolutely necessary and preferably not at night or in built-up areas.

Plastic headlight protectors, held on to the lenses by suction pads, are available from most accessory shops, but windscreen guards usually have to be custom made. The most efficient windscreen stone guard is a wire grille mounted inside a frame, fitted to pivoting brackets bolted inside the engine compartment near the corner made by the top edge of the wing panel and the ledge in front of the windscreen. The screen should be held upright by arms secured to the brackets and rubber discs used to prevent the top edge from scratching the bonnet when the screen is lowered.

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