Top tips for towing over different terrain

Many have an Outback caravanning or camping holiday on their bucket list, but a dream trip can quickly turn into a nightmare without some simple preparation.

If you get your vehicle and caravan or camper properly kitted out beforehand and do an off-road towing course, you’re ready for some local off-road or dirt-road exploration before taking on ‘the big one’.

What that ‘big one’ looks like is entirely up to you – but it goes without saying that Australia’s iconic, remote expedition trips should only be considered after gaining plenty of experience. Even then, many would suggest it’s smarter to go in a group of 4x4s, not just on your own.

But before you set off for horizons distant, follow these handy guidelines to ensure you’re well prepared for the rigours of bush travel…

Tyres are such a simple and generally reliable component that you never really think about them – until one fails. A tyre failure is not unheard of out in the bush, but it’s something you want to avoid at all costs.

Basically, the newer your tyres, the better. If you take off on a long-distance bush trip with tyres with little tread, not only will they likely wear down beyond the legal minimum while you’re away, but also the chance of punctures increases while grip decreases the more they wear.

All Terrain or Mud Terrain tyres will give you the least grief because they are more puncture resistant and can provide better grip off-road. Highway Terrain tyres, the type usually fitted new to many 4x4s and utes, don’t make as much noise, they ride smoother, and they offer grip better on tarmac. However, on sand, dirt or mud they do not grip or resist punctures nearly as well as All Terrain or Mud Terrain tyres.

Mud Terrains are usually pretty aggressive tyres that generate more road noise on sealed surfaces; a good All Terrain for your tow vehicle should be sufficient for most touring 4x4s. If you can afford two spares, that’s ideal, and it’s even better if your caravan or trailer shares the same tyre and rim sizes and bolt patterns as your 4x4, so you can share spares around.

Deflating the tow vehicle’s and caravan’s tyres down to 25psi for stony dirt roads will help avoid punctures and improve ride and grip (assuming you are not exceeding 80km/h, which is about the safest maximum towing speed on dirt).

As for lower pressures, about 18psi for sand or sloppy mud tracks will help traction, because the tyre will have a larger contact patch when deflated. This is about as low as you want to go; much lower and you risk rolling a tyre off its rim.

Deflating the caravan’s tyres will help them to track true in slippery going and reduce the chances of jack-knifing. And don’t forget to re-inflate your tyres when back on high-speed roads. High speeds and low pressures negatively impact handling, but also create excess heat that can ultimately lead to tyre failure.

So, it goes without saying that carrying a good 12V air compressor and a tyre plug repair kit with plenty of spare plugs are essential items for off-road travel.

Setting up your caravan’s or camper’s electric brake controller properly is important for efficient braking whether you’re on sealed or unsealed roads. There are many hazards out on country roads – wildlife, for example – where you will need every ounce of available braking power to avoid a collision.

You don’t want your trailer ‘pushing’ the tow vehicle when under full brakes because the electric brake controller isn’t apportioning the correct amount of braking. Be mindful too that trailer brakes can lock more easily in an off-road or dirt-road setting, so ensure your system is correctly tuned for the terrain.

Luckily there are great EBCs out there that are simple and effective to set up and use, such as the Bendix Ultimate Tow Electric Brake Controller.

Designed and developed right here in Australia, the Bendix Ultimate Tow Electric Brake Controller is easy to install and has a number of handy safety features, like a manual override function, LED lighting for night driving, and a trailer disconnection indicator. The kit has everything required for installation and it’s compatible with a wide array of modern tow vehicles, as well as caravans fitted with AL-KO electronic stability control.

If your vehicle has a part-time 4x4 system, ensure 4x4 high range (4H) is selected for gravel or dirt roads so you have the best available traction. As mentioned, don’t exceed 80km/h – especially with a caravan or heavy camper trailer behind – because it will take you considerably longer to slow down on slippery gravel.

This is also where you might want to think about a brake upgrade for your tow vehicle. With all the extra weight on board the tow vehicle and behind it when touring, braking power will be diminished. Thankfully, there are brake upgrades available for many 4x4 utes and SUVs, such as the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit.

Also designed and developed for demanding Aussie conditions, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit comprises a pair of slotted rotors, ceramic brake pads, and braided brake lines, among other items.

The kit replaces your vehicle’s original-equipment brakes to provide exceptional braking performance in heavy-duty conditions, such as technical off-road driving or towing caravans, campers, or other heavy trailers.

If you have a dual-range 4x4, you can go further off-road with less chance of sustaining damage or getting stuck. Low range (4L) provides an additional set of slow-speed gears that deliver better control when crawling over tough terrain; low range also affords better slow-speed pulling power.

Soft sand driving is also better done in low range, for the same reasons. Sand can be undulating, corrugated, and rough; trying to maintain sufficient momentum in high range means you’ll be going too fast, increasing the risk of damage or losing control.

Momentum is crucial for driving on slippery surfaces like mud, sand and ice. Keeping momentum up doesn’t necessarily mean going as fast as you can – more often it’s about keeping up speed when needed and knowing exactly when to back off when it isn’t, to avoid vehicle damage.

Approach water crossings with caution as plenty can go wrong, even when a crossing looks relatively shallow. Unless you can watch the vehicle ahead of you safely cross and follow their path precisely, you don’t know what you’re in for.

Stop, get out and check the crossing carefully – walk it first, if necessary (or maybe not, if you’re in croc country!). Even a concrete causeway can have sections wash away after flooding, something you won’t know or see unless you have a closer look on foot.

Stopping and letting the vehicle cool down a bit before entering the water is always a good idea too, especially if you have been working it hard just prior. Dipping extremely hot components into cold creek water is not great for them, and in some instances can cause brake discs to warp, or hot differentials to suck in water (also why running extended diff ‘breathers’ is a good idea).

Always test your brakes after a water crossing, especially the drum brakes at the back of many utes and on most trailers, as they can take a while to dry out and become fully effective again. You don’t want to find that out in the middle of an emergency stop.

Off-road protection such as a bullbar can mean the difference between getting to the next stop and your trip grinding to a halt. Avoid travelling at dusk, dawn, and after dark to minimise the risk of collisions with wildlife. Additional underbody protection can also be money well spent, likewise a stone guard to protect the front of the caravan or trailer from stone damage.

There are two things you’ll always find in abundance in the Aussie Outback: flies and dust. As far as dust goes, always keep a safe distance behind traffic on dirt roads so you can see clearly ahead. Switching the vehicle’s air-conditioning to recirculate and keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible will assist in preventing dust ingress.

And when you’re getting back to the blacktop after your off-road adventure, make sure you re-inflate your tyres to recommended highway pressures, check for any damage under or around your rig, and make sure the trailer plug is still connected and that all lights still work.

Following these simple guidelines as a start will help you on your way to enjoying the huge expanse of Outback Australia out there waiting for you to discover…

To learn more about the Bendix Ultimate Tow Electric Brake Controller or Bendix Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade kit visit the Bendix website.