Caravan newbies struggle to reverse park
New survey reveals lack of towing and reversing confidence among new caravannersWestern Australia's major motoring body is urging caravanners to brush up on their skills before hitting the road, with a new survey revealing a lack of confidence when towing and reverse-parking their rigs.
Nearly a third of respondents to the RAC’s Caravan and Camping Survey admitted they aren't confident reverse-parking their caravan or camper trailer, and 16 per cent felt the same about towing their caravan.
All 600 respondents who participated in the survey had stayed in a caravan in Western Australia in the past 12 months.
RAC Insurance Claims Manager Glen Walker said the survey respondents were also lacking in knowledge around towing regulations.
“Fortunately, nearly all of our survey respondents knew the towing capacity of their vehicles but only 80 per cent were aware of the 100km/hr speed limit," Walker said.
“Just over 20 per cent also admitted they hadn’t done any caravan-related training before getting behind the wheel.
“While it’s fantastic to see so many Western Australians hitting the road to experience regional WA and support local businesses, it’s important to remember that our roads are some of the most dangerous in the country.
“There are important considerations you need to make to keep yourself and others safe when towing a caravan, including allowing extra space to brake and turn, packing your vehicle correctly and allowing for cross-winds.”
RAC offers free caravan training in various locations around WA through the Safe Travels initiative.
RAC’s caravan safety tips:
Before you leave:
- Service your tow vehicle and check your oil, radiator, suspension, tyre pressure and lights
- Clean your windows and mirrors, and fill your windscreen washer bottle
- Distribute weight evenly in your caravan — start by packing the heavy items first, low to the ground and ensure all items are securely fastened down
- Don’t overload — find out what your vehicle and towbar are capable of towing and do not exceed the towing capacity
- Double check to ensure your caravan is hitched correctly
- Plan your route so you know where you’re going and check for rest stops and petrol stations along the way
- Charge your phone and put it somewhere out of reach
On the road:
- Scan ahead as far as you can to identify hazards early and adjust your driving
- Allow extra distance for braking and leave at least 200m between your vehicle and other caravans on the road
- Drive to the conditions and do not exceed 100km/h
- Challenge the need to overtake other drivers — if you’re behind a vehicle travelling at 90km/h, you will need at least 1km of clear road in front of you to overtake them (as to not exceed the speed limit of 100km/h)
- Allow extra space when turning corners
- If you need to stop in a hurry, always brake in a straight line
- Take regular breaks and stop for basic vehicle checks every 100kms
- Check your mirrors regularly to ensure you’re aware of what is happening behind you
- Stay alert for wildlife
- Be patient and enjoy the drive
Related:
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
