Why you need a bigger tow vehicle

Towing safety expert and founder of the Truck Friendly website, Ken Wilson, has put forward a solid case for ensuring your tow vehicle weighs close to or more than any large caravan behind -- a rare occurrence on the Australian caravanning landscape.

In a recent Facebook post titled "Should a tow vehicle be heavier than the trailer/caravan it is towing?" Wilson points out that legally, in many cases, it's OK to tow a trailer or caravan that's heavier than the tow vehicle.

However, he argues that it's far from ideal in an emergency situation when both tow vehicle and caravan are "out of the driver’s control".

"Light vehicles using an overhung hitch to tow a pig trailer (the configuration of most Aussie caravans) are very susceptible to being involved in caravan or trailer sway emergency situations," he says.

"If you are towing a loaded caravan heavier than the loaded towing vehicle, that is your choice, and I respect your right to do so. After all it is you who must live by the consequences of any decisions that you make," he continues.

"Many have had many years of towing without incident. There are also many who have had many years of towing without incident and finally then had an incident they were not expecting. Just because you are doing it does not automatically make it the safest option."

Wilson also touches on the much-publicised issue of misleading or unrealistic 3500kg tow ratings of many dual-cab utes, and argues for the case of adopting similar rules to European countries where trailer weight should not exceed 80 per cent of the tow vehicles' actual or laden weight.

He also cites "the laws of basic physics" to argue that in the event of trailer sway, a heavier tow vehicle like a big American pick-up is less likely to end up in a roll-over.

"A very heavy tow vehicle will not be pushed around as much as would a lighter tow vehicle by the same out of control caravan."

While not discounting the role of electronic trailer stability control systems, "once the sway has started and is out of control of the driver’s actions, basic physics takes over. You are just along for the wild ride."

Wilson claims towing companies still recover many rolled caravans with anti-sway technology fitted.

"I strongly recommend fitting anti-sway technology to your caravan. I do however recommend not relying on it to stop dangerous sway completely," he says.

"Basic safe towing practices and a correctly set up caravan and tow vehicle driven safely will help prevent sway from happening."

You can read the full post here or grab a copy of Wilson's comprehensive safe towing guide here.