Call for caravan learner testing

The Caravan Council of Australia (CCA) is urging beginners to brush up on their basic knowledge before hitting the road for the first time with a caravan in tow.

While the CCA's Colin Young has previously advocated for a compulsory training course and towing licence, the independent body recently stepped back and is now pushing for a non-mandatory knowledge test designed to improve road safety and reduce problems for inexperienced caravanners and other road users.

"There are arguments, and very strong opinions for and against requiring 'endorsed' licences for drivers who tow caravans," Young said recently.

"Regardless of that, it is extremely important that all 'vanners fully understand the legal and mechanical aspects involved with towing, in order to improve road-safety, and to enjoy caravanning as it is meant to be."

Related reading:

A licence to tow?

The case against caravan licensing

Why our towing laws are ridiculous

The CCA has devised a proposed list of test questions that all caravan newbies could tackle, covering important safety areas like ratings and masses, towing and trailer regulations, tyre pressures, payloads and weight distribution.

"In addition, the test provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate the legal and technical understanding of vital caravan-towing issues, by sales personnel, and all other people involved with caravan compliance and safety," Young said.

Young also recommends caravanners  should "participate in a professional driver-training course for towing... (and) study respected DVDs or books on towing safety".

The 30 test questions are listed below (followed by the answers), with much of the information including RV compliance and regulations covered in depth on the CCA website.

The Caravan (Before You Hit The Road) Towing Test

1. What do the following abbreviations mean?

ATM:
(a) Average Travelling Mass
(b) Australian Testing Method
(c) Aggregate Trailer Mass

GTM:
(a) General Technical Manufacture
(b) Gross Trailer Mass
(c) Guaranteed Trailer Mass

(Tow vehicle) GVM:

(a) Gross Vehicle Mass
(b) Generous Velocity Measurement
(c) German Vehicle Method (Tow vehicle)

GCM:

(a) Guaranteed Coupling Movement
(b) Grand Co-operative Management
(c) Gross Combination Mass

2: Are the above items actual Masses or Ratings?

(a) Actual Masses
(b) Both
(c) Ratings

3: Are Tare Mass & Ball Loading, actual masses or ratings?

(a) Neither
(b) Ratings
(c) Actual Masses
(d) Both

4: The Definition of Tare Mass of a caravan is:

(a) The load (force) on the coupling when the caravan is fully-loaded

(b) The total permitted mass of the laden caravan transmitted to the ground by the caravan tyres, when carrying the maximum load recommended by the manufacturer, when coupled to a tow-vehicle. This Rating must not exceed the Axle-Group (wheels / tyres/ suspension / axle) Rating stated by the chassis manufacturer

(c) The actual mass of the caravan with all OEM equipment and options fitted - as specified on the Sales Contract - as it leaves the Supplier, with empty water tanks and empty LPG cylinders, and without any luggage or personal effects. This is measured with the jockey-wheel and the caravan tyres on the weigh-bridge.

5: What does each element of a tyre designation mean: LT-P 225 / 85 R 16 90 Q?

LT:
(a) Low Temperature
(b) Light Truck
(c) Large Texture

P:
(a) Positive
(b) Pressurized
(c) Passenger (car)

225:
(a) Top Speed (225 kph)
(b) Tyre Diameter (“)
(c) Section Width (mm)

85:
(a) Minimum Speed (85 kph)
(b) Profile Ratio (%)
(c) Maximum Temp

R:
(a) Radial Construction
(b) Radical Construction
(c) Racing Tyre

16:
(a) Tread Width (cm)
(b) Rim Diameter (“)
(c) Inflation Pressure

90:
(a) Year of Manufacture
(b) Load Rating
(c) Manufacturer ID

Q:
(a) Speed Rating
(b) Queen’s Approval
(c) Quick Inflation

6: What is the standard size for a ball-coupling?

(a) 50mm
(b) 2in
(c) 3cm

7: What does ADR stand for?

(a) Alternative Driving Requirements
(b) Advanced Development Regime
(c) Australian Design Rule

8: What does AS stand for?

(a)Australian Standard
(b) Automotive Satisfaction
(c) African Substitution

9: Does the Tyre & Rim Association Manual give:

(a) The names of all companies who make tyres and rims
(b) The starting odds of all past winners of the Melbourne Cup
(c) The correct tyre / rim combinations, and the recommended inflation pressures for all tyre sizes, to suit the load carried by the tyre

10: Are fixed (non-swivel) 50mm ball-couplings suitable for medium / severe off-road use?

(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Only in winter

11: Brakes are required on caravans:

(a) Only if the driver of the tow-vehicle is not very good
(b) Yes, on all caravans
(c) If the GTM Rating is above 750kg

12: Break-away brakes are required on caravans:

(a) Only in winter
(b) If the GTM Rating is above 2000 kg
(c) Only if you drive faster than 120 km/h

13: ABS (on tow-vehicle) stands for:

(a) Automatic Braking System
(b) Australian Broadcasting Syndicate
(c) Anti-lock Braking System

14: If ABS is fitted to the tow-vehicle, will it also automatically work on the caravan?

(a) No
(b) Hopefully… if you are in trouble
(c) Yes

15: The Ball-Loading at any time:

(a) Is not important
(b) Should either be around 1%, or 30%, of the Tare Mass
(c) Should be around 10% of the caravan/trailer mass (if not otherwise advised by the manufacturer, in writing)

16: If the Ball-Loading is too light:

(a) You will go faster
(b) The caravan will most likely develop a dangerous sway (snaking) situation
(c) The caravan will be harder to lift on and off the coupling

17: If the Ball-Loading is too heavy:

(a) You will be able to change the front tyres of the tow-vehicle without needing a jack
(b) Tyre wear will be reduced
(c) Handling, steering and safety will be dangerously impaired, and the tow-bar may fail

18: Heavy items should be stored in the caravan:

(a) On the roof
(b) On the A-frame or rear bumper
(c) As close as possible to the axle(s)

19: If the caravan tyre pressures are too low:

(a) The vehicle will be much lighter because there is not as much air in the tyres
(b) The vehicle will sway and wallow, and the outer edges of the tread will wear out
(c) The vehicle will be much closer to the road, greatly reducing the air drag

20: If the caravan tyre pressures are too high:

(a) The vehicle will skip and bounce, and the centre of the tread will wear out
(b) The vehicle will not vibrate as much
(c) It will wreck tyre-pressure gauges, although a smooth ride is achieved

21: The caravan allowable / legal pay-load (load-carrying capacity) is:

(a) Whatever the driver thinks their tow-vehicle can handle OK
(b) ATM Rating – (minus) Tare Mass
(c) 50% of the GTM Rating + (plus) the Ball-loading

22: The left-side and right-side brakes should be:

(a) Regularly checked for wear, and adjusted evenly
(b) Greased on a daily basis when travelling
(c) As big as those on the tow-vehicle

23: The caravan lamps (Position / Stop / Turn-Signal / End Outline / Side Marker):

(a) Operate best on 230 volts
(b) Need to be tapped moderately hard if they do not operate reliably
(c) Should be checked for correct operation before setting off on a trip

24: When towing a caravan, added or extended mirrors:

(a) Slow you down appreciably because of the very high air resistance
(b) Must be used so as to obtain a clear field-of-view along each side of the vehicle
(c) Should only be fitted when going “off-road” on dusty tracks

25: When towing a caravan, the time and distance needed to accelerate from 60 - 80 km/h (compared to just driving the tow-vehicle on its own) are:

(a) Hardly worth worrying about
(b) Appreciably much longer
(c) Around 10 seconds and 50 metres longer

26: When towing a caravan / trailer, the time and distance needed to slow down from 80 – 60 km/h (compared to just driving the tow-vehicle on its own) are:

(a) Around 5 seconds and 100 metres shorter, because of the additional brakes
(b) Again, hardly worth worrying about
(c) Appreciably much longer

27: When towing a caravan around a curve, you should:

(a) Speed up, so that the caravan will “drift” around the curve better
(b) Slow down, because of the additional centrifugal force, and the risk of swaying
(c) “Cut the corner” (especially on rough roads) to increase the radius of the curve

28: Doubling your speed - say from 40 - 80 km/h - will:

(a) Improve the handling and braking performance of the caravan
(b) Increase the kinetic-energy - and braking distance - by a factor of 4 (four)
(c) Improve fuel economy (because the trip will take much less time)

29: If you see a B-Double approaching (from the front or rear), you should:

(a) Immediately give a friendly call to the driver on Channel 79
(b) Speed up, so as to quickly get the meeting / over-taking over and done with
(c) Slow down a little, and firmly hold the steering wheel in case a “sway” starts

30 If the caravan/trailer starts to “sway” or “snake”, you should:

(a) Hit the brakes as hard as possible
(b) Accelerate as hard as possible
(c) Don’t panic and don’t make any sudden/severe manoeuvres, but gently slow down, ensuring that you keep steering in the direction that you need to.

ANSWERS:

1: ATM: (c) Aggregate Trailer Mass GTM: (b) Gross Trailer Mass (Tow vehicle) GVM: (a) Gross Vehicle Mass (Tow vehicle) GCM: (c) Gross Combination Mass

2: Are the above items “Actual Masses” or “Ratings”: (c) Ratings

3: Are “Tare Mass” & “Ball-loading “actual masses” or “Ratings”: (c) Actual Masses

4: The definition of “Tare Mass” for a Caravan & Camper/Tent-Trailer is: (a) The actual mass of the empty caravan with all OEM equipment and options fitted - as specified on the Sales Contract - as it leaves the Supplier, with empty water tanks and empty LPG cylinders, and without any luggage or personal effects. This is measured with the jockey-wheel and tyres on the weigh-bridge.

5: What do each of the elements of a tyre designation mean: LT - P 225 / 85 R 16 90 Q LT: (b) Light Truck P: (c) Passenger (car) 225: (c) Section Width (mm) 85: (b) Profile Ratio (%) R: (a) Radial Construction 16: (b) Rim Diameter (“) 90: (b) Load Rating Q: (a) Speed Rating

6: What is the standard size for a ball-coupling: (a) 50 mm

7: What does ADR stand for: (c) Australian Design Rule

8: What does AS stand for: (a) Australian Standard

9: Does the Tyre & Rim Association Manual give: (c) The correct tyre / rim combinations, and the recommended inflation pressures for all tyre sizes, to suit the load carried by the tyre

10: Are Ball-couplings suitable for off-road operation: (b) No

11: Brakes are required on caravans: (c) If the GTM Rating is above 750 kg

12: Break-away brakes are required: (b) If the GTM Rating is above 2,000 kg

13: ABS (on tow-vehicle) stands for: (c) Anti-lock Braking System

14: If ABS is fitted to the tow-vehicle, will it also automatically work on the caravan: (a) No

15: The Ball-loading at any time: (c) Should be around 10% of the caravan/trailer mass (if not otherwise advised by the manufacturer, in writing)

16: If the Ball-loading is too light: (b) The caravan/trailer will most likely develop a most dangerous sway (snaking) situation

17: If the Ball-loading is too heavy: (c) Handling, steering and safety will be dangerously impaired, and the tow-bar may fail

18: Heavy items should be stored in the caravan: (c) As close as possible to the axle(s)

19: If the caravan tyre pressures are too low: (b) The vehicle will sway and wallow, and the outer edges of the tread will wear out

20: If the caravan tyre pressures are too high: (a) The vehicle will skip and bounce, and the centre of the tread will wear out

21: The caravan allowable/legal Pay-load (Load-carrying capacity) is: (b) ATM Rating – (minus) Tare Mass

22: The left-side and right-side brakes should be: (a) Regularly checked for wear, and adjusted evenly

23: The caravan lamps (Position / Stop / Turn-Signal / End Outline / Side Marker): (c) Should be checked for correct operation before setting off on a trip

24: When towing a caravan, added or extended mirrors: b) Must be used so as to obtain a clear field-of-view along each side of the vehicle

25: When towing a caravan, the time and distance needed to accelerate from 60 – 80km/h (compared to just driving the tow-vehicle on its own) are: (b) Appreciably much longer

26: When towing a caravan/trailer, the time and distance needed to slow down from 80 60km/h (compared to just driving the tow-vehicle on its own) are: (c) Appreciably much longer

27: When towing a caravan/trailer around a curve, you should: (b) Slow down, because of the additional centrifugal force, and the risk of swaying

28: Doubling your speed - say from 40 - 80 km/h - will: (b) Increase the kinetic-energy – and braking distance - by a factor of 4 (four)

29: If you see a B-Double approaching (from the front or rear), you should: (c) Slow down a little, and firmly hold the steering wheel in case a “sway” starts

30: If the caravan/trailer starts to “sway” or “snake”, you should: (c) Don’t panic and don’t make any sudden/severe manoeuvres, but gently slow down, ensuring that you keep steering in the direction that you need to.