Learning to tow off-road

Let’s face it, towing a caravan is fraught with danger. Barely a week goes by without another caravan rolling over on a major highway, and the causes are many: inexperience, excessive speed, overloading, instability, sheer recklessness (overtaking a truck at 100km/h-plus in cross-winds on a skinny Outback highway!)

As editor of caravancampingsales, I’ve had a few heart-stopping moments myself; often involving a big three tonne caravan swaying behind a two tonne ute, before the tow vehicles’ trailer sway control (or caravan’s electronic stability control if fitted) steps in, or the ‘hand of God’…

There was one interstate trip where the rig felt so unstable I was restricted to 80-85km/h for 3000kms, prompting a first-hand account of my frustrations about the often misleading marketing around 3500kg tow rated utes.

It’s fair to say most owners of the 500,000-odd registered caravans in Australia manage to survive unscathed: by taking it easy, using common sense, learning from mistakes, and picking up a few tips along the way.

It’s certainly not because they’re forced to do any formal training, thanks to some ‘ridiculous’ laws in this country that allow anyone just off their car licence P-plates to grab a dual-cab ute and 3500kg caravan and drive non-stop to Darwin at 100 clicks! Unlike truckies (often with less weight to manage), caravanners don’t require a special licence. It’s a recipe for disaster…

Getting some tow training

Fortunately, there’s plenty of help out there for those keen to access and in some cases pay for it. From reputable websites like caravancampingsales offering specialist advice to industry associations providing free ‘check ups’, but there’s also hands-on formal training available where you can accelerate your learning and make mistakes in a controlled environment, rather than on a busy highway with a B-double coming the other way!

A few years ago I did a basic towing course, which I found quite useful, but more recently I undertook some more off-road oriented towing tuition provided by Getabout Training Services.

While towing a caravan on bitumen is one thing, dragging up to three tonnes of trailer off the beaten track presents a different range of challenges: slippery uneven surfaces, hilly, tree-lined terrain, and other hazards like boggy ground, fender-bending fauna and water crossings. Having a bingle on a busy highway is less than ideal, but being stranded or stuck in a remote region can be catastrophic…

Covering the basics

Based in Penrith, NSW but with training locations around the country, Getabout is one of Australia’s biggest providers of nationally recognized 4WD, off-road and towing courses, operating under both the Getabout and Tow-Ed banners.

As I was travelling up from Melbourne for the week-end, Getabout recommended I undertake two separate, but related one-day courses: ‘Drive and recover a 4WD vehicle’ and ‘Operate a four wheel drive in a towing situation’.

Aimed at ‘newbies’, the first course is for those new to four-wheel driving, providing basic knowledge and skills on how to operate a 4WD vehicle, tackle different terrain, and recover a 4WD.

The second off-road towing course builds on these basic 4WD skills, covering topics applicable to both bitumen and dirt towing including trailer and towing safety and driving techniques, but with an emphasis on the most useful skills required in the bush.

Purpose-built facility

Both courses took place at Getabout’s private off-road facility at Lithgow, NSW, which includes plenty of challenging trails, slopes, dips and mounds in the one convenient location. Public trails in the nearby state forest and national park are also used to provide other ‘real world’ experiences like river crossings.

Doing the courses back-to-back and over many of the same tracks provided invaluable insights into the different capabilities of the tow vehicle (in this case a Holden Trailblazer) and our 2100kg off-road caravan (an MDC Forbes 12).

For example, a decent-sized rutted mound that the Trailblazer easily cleared in 4WD low range on ‘Day 1’ proved insurmountable on ‘Day 2’ with the off-road van dragged behind. While offering plenty of ground clearance and underbody protection for general off-road driving, the caravan’s low-hanging A-frame mounted jockey wheel and fold-up entry steps acted like ploughs in this instance, halting progress despite numerous attempts.

Fast learning

The other thing I really liked about both courses was the limited amount of time ‘wasted’ in the classroom. Instead, most of the extensive theory is covered by pre-course homework, which includes a written test that is later marked in class.

While I was forced to give up NetFlix for a few nights to read the supplied 136-page ‘The Australian Practical Guide to Towing’ and 188-page ‘4WD Guide’, it means you have a solid grounding in everything from off-road driving techniques to towing reversing techniques, before hitting the tracks around mid-morning.

It also means you can spend more time in the field bouncing questions off your instructor, which in my case was the very knowledgeable and enthusiastic Graham Cummings who never tired of answering my often ‘off-topic’ questions throughout the day.

It also allows time to go through a hitching up routine and pre-trip safety ‘walkaround’, with Graham pointing out all the safety aspects to consider before heading off.

No backing out

While the driving component of the 4WD course covered basics like using hill descent control (when fitted), tackling water crossings and recovery techniques using planks and snatch straps, a lot of time was spent during the off-road towing course mastering the dark art of reversing.

While reversing is something many caravanners struggle with, it’s a particularly important skill in the bush where having to back out from a ‘dead end’ due to a fallen tree, boggy section or locked gate, is hard to avoid.

The first exercise was learning how far the caravan can ‘jack knife’ before causing any damage to the rear of the tow vehicle. This is achieved by reversing on a circular ‘skidpan’, and placing a bright sticker at the appropriate spot on the front of the camper. This can then be used as a guide when viewed through the rear view mirror (guidelines on a reversing camera can also help with this).

I was then assessed on a number of tasks, including backing down a narrow track for about 100 metres, using minor adjustments of the wheel to keep the rig on track.

Proven formula

The final (and hardest) reversing test involved backing the trailer on an arc into a hypothetical camp spot using the 1-2-3 formula. Designed to be foolproof, the procedure involves lining up the rear inside corner of the trailer in a pre-determined position before enacting a number of steering wheel twirling actions. Done right, the rig slots into place like a well-drilled dance performance (we managed to do it on our first attempt but with help from Graham!).

The key point here is that there are tried-and-true ‘formulas’ that can be learnt and practiced so you’re prepared when the situation arises in the Outback.

Is it worth it?

Specialised off-road and towing training isn’t cheap: $680 for the off-road towing course, and $425 for the 4WD skills course.

However, classes are kept small: six or less in the 4WD course, and usually one or two for the towing. The fee also includes a co-driver, so your travel partner can learn the same skills as well as enjoy a fun day out.

Given the level of instruction and information covered, excellent training facility, materials provided and the fact that it’s a recognized course, the Getabout training represents good value for money.

Even though I’ve towed dozens of different campers and caravans both on and off-road over the years, I walked away with new insights, upgraded skills and more confidence in my abilities.

Both courses also provide a better understanding of the limits of your rig, leading to better decision making when out on the tracks. View it as a form of ‘insurance’, potentially saving you money by reducing the likelihood of damage and recovery bills.

Reality check

Graham said it’s not unusual for participants to turn up to the training with their brand-new 4WD and large ‘off-road’ caravan, only to discover how restrictive a big rig can be when going deep into the bush.

A side benefit of doing the course in Lithgow is the on-site kitchen and bathroom facilities, allowing you to camp on the property. You can also turn it into a holiday, exploring the neighbouring Blue Mountains region before or after the course.

The icing on the cake is each course participant receives a Certificate of Attainment; an official AQF qualification that’s applicable for professionals as well as recreational drivers.

Five reasons to get professional towing training:

1. Get to know your rig’s capabilities in a safe and controlled environment
2. Learn from the professionals, rather than from your mistakes
3. Be taught some ‘foolproof’ techniques ie. 1-2-3 arc reversing formula
4. Get better at assessing off-road risks to keep you out of trouble
5. It’s cheap insurance!