Are you tow ready?

As tens of thousands of Australians prepare to hitch up the caravan for the annual summer holiday trip, caravan consumer advocate and safety campaigner, Colin Young, has written some catchy lyrics as a reminder to all ‘vanners to play safe when towing.

The poem, titled “Towing Caravans for Rec-reation… Not Wreck-creation!” covers the main points, but for more detailed advice including access to a number of free and comprehensive technical articles, visit the Caravan Council of Australia website…

It’s a good life for the ‘vanners, who live out on the road,
Seeing our great country, without a fixed abode,
But there’s danger ever lurking, on our highways when you drive,
So be careful when you travel, so you get back home alive.

Towing sure can be a problem, if something isn't right,
It may be out of mind, but it’s never out of sight,
So check that all’s OK, both the tow-rig and the ‘van,
And enjoy the pleasures of your trips, as safely as you can.

Is the ‘van in sound condition, are mechanicals still good,
Are you never over-loaded, does it tow the way it should,
Is the balllLoad as it should be, not too high and not too low,
To give the safest handling, on whatever roads you go?

Are the tyres still road-worthy, and still have lots of grip,
Have you had the brakes adjusted, so they’ll never lock or slip,
Are the pressures set correctly, as the makers recommend,
To give the needed traction, on a hill or on a bend?

Are all the lights still shining, and the coupling’s done up tight,
Are the safety-chains and shackles, still connected safe and right,
Are your heavy goods stored safely, in the middle of the ‘van,
Are the wheels and bearings still turning well, as smoothly as they can?

Do you understand the meaning, of each rating and each force,
Of the tow-rig and the caravan, and their legalise of course?,
There’s the ATM and ball-load, the Tare and GTM,
There’s the GCM and tow-bar specs, you need to know 'bout them.