Learn to travel safely with a caravan

One way to enjoy a good holiday is to hitch a caravan to your car and start enjoying the open road. Thanks to this accessory, you can travel without any hassle and stop to sleep anywhere, forgetting about booking hotel rooms. It is an option that is gaining more and more followers, although we often see how difficult it can be to drive with a caravan attached to the car.

Let’s review some tips for towing a caravan or a boat trailer, for example, which is very similar to a caravan. The main safety element is the tyres. You must check the condition of the tyres on the car that will act as the tow vehicle, but also those on the caravan. If these have incorrect pressure or are worn, it doesn’t matter that the car’s tyres are in perfect condition, since they will prevent proper driving and can increase both the car’s consumption and the risk of an accident.

You must always carry the two warning triangles in the car, as well as a high-visibility vest for each occupant of the car. In several countries it is mandatory for all occupants to carry one, not just the driver. It is better to carry one for each occupant and avoid problems.

When loading the car, you must take into account the maximum load of the vehicle, the type of towbar and the maximum payload of the trailer. Positioning the load is important so that the towbar is not overloaded, the trailer moves correctly and there is no risk of losing control.

Make sure all the trailer lights work, including the brake lights. There is no point in everything being correct on the car if the trailer, which is what others see from behind, does not provide the necessary visual information. The electrical connection is important and must be kept under control. If a light is not working, it must be repaired before moving off, either by replacing the bulb or by checking where the fault is.

Keep in mind that the trailer tyres can also puncture, so you should carry a spare wheel for this eventuality. Or, at the very least, a puncture repair kit that lets you keep driving until the damaged tyre can be replaced.