How to Tow New Caravans

For the first couple of times, towing a caravan can be a little bit daunting. It’s one of those things that can make people nervous before they’ve tried it, and hyper-aware of what they’re doing until they’ve mastered it. The good news is, once you’re ‘there’ and have ‘got it’ then you won’t feel overwhelmed. There are certain things you can do to help yourself reach that point, and we’re going to talk about them in this edition of our blog – so if you have recently bought new caravans or used caravans from us and are looking for a bit more guidance, here it is…

If you hold a current Category B UK driving licence then you are already licensed to drive a vehicle below 3,500kg – and tow a caravan of the same weight. If you want to drive above that weight classification then you must undergo further testing. When you reach 70 years old you are required to renew your licence which involved having a medical. You can find out a lot more information about UK driving licences and the associated requirements by visiting gov.uk.

It’s important to adhere to the rules of the road, obviously including speed limits. The road signs you will see as you are driving along do not apply to vehicles towing caravans. That doesn’t mean that if you’re towing you can go at any speed you like! You should familiarise yourself with the various speed limits for vehicles towing caravans, which are:

1. Motorways

On motorways the speed limit for a vehicle towing a caravan is 60mph. You must also never use the outside lane (the ‘fast lane’) when you are towing a caravan as you could cause difficulties by travelling at a slower speed than any non-towing vehicles which want to travel at their own correct speed limit (70mph).

2. Dual and Single Carriageways

On a dual carriageway where the speed limit is 70mph, you must not exceed 60mph (unless that is the regular limit). On single carriageways which have a 60mph speed limit, cars towing a caravan must adhere to a 50mph limit.

3. Roads

On roads where the speed limit is between 20mph and 50mph it is legal to drive at the same speed that you would if you were in a vehicle not towing a caravan.

In the previous section we mentioned the weight issue in relation to driving licences – but there are also maximum measurements. On a standard Cat B driving licence, the caravan you tow can be no wider than 2.55 metres and no longer than 7 metres. These dimensions feed naturally into the following section, which discusses the need to allow more time and more space for what you are doing.

When you are accelerating out of a junction the weight of the caravan combined with the length and width of it will mean you will necessarily be slower than if you were in a car and not towing. Similarly, turning corners is going to take longer when you are towing a caravan due to your increased length, or getting through narrower gaps will need a slower approach – or even might not be possible.  You need to account for the extra time and space required in every instance – and get used to doing so.

Similarly, when you are braking, you must brake earlier than you would if you were not towing a caravan. Your stopping distances (i.e. the length of road you require to come to a standstill from travelling at various speeds) are affected by the weight of your caravan and so it will also take longer for you to slow down.

Your general road awareness and safety – i.e. your relationship with the other vehicles on the road, and the way you can respect them by being aware of your own limitations and behaviour – will have a big impact.

Each time you set off on a journey in which you are towing a caravan, you must make sure you are towing both safely and legally. There are certain legal requirements you must comply with – and you can read the complete guide at the government’s website.

1. Mirrors

You must always have a good view to the rear of your vehicle, and extension mirrors are a serious help – and, in fact, a legal requirement. As well as fitting these mirrors to comply with the law, you need to quickly factor in to your approach all of these other things we have mentioned.

2. Number Plate

Your caravan number plate must be the same as the vehicle which is towing it.

3. Tow Bar

This must be complete with a ‘towing number’ and details of the vehicle it has been approved for.

4. Brake System

If your caravan weighs above 750kg it must have its own brake system.

5. Breakaway

This cable must be fitted so that if your tow bar detaches for some reason, your caravan is still attached in some way.

1. Fog

In some ways fog is the most difficult weather condition as it can mean extremely low to zero visibility. You should not try to drive when fog falls and you are towing a caravan. The best option is to find a safe place to pull over and stop, and ‘wait it out’ until conditions are much clearer

2. Wind

You should always avoid towing a caravan if the wind is above 50mph. No matter how confident and capable a driver you are, winds of around that speed and above can be a serious danger. The caravan is relatively lightweight and can be blown around so become unstable and therefore difficult or even impossible to control.

3. Rain

Stay aware of road conditions during rainfall and afterwards. The risk of skidding increases greatly when there is surface water on the road. Reduce the speed at which you are travelling, brake gradually, turn cautiously and avoid patches of surface water if you can.

4. Snow and Ice

Ultimately, towing a caravan in snow and ice is not recommended. However, in some instances it may be impossible to avoid. If that’s the case you should follow roughly the same sensible guidance as above (for rain). Often, in snow and ice conditions, main roads are gritted – and so if it is possible to stick to these during your journey then all the better.

At Lowdhams, we have a vast number of great value caravans for sale – which may not surprise you as we are a dealerwith many years of experience and expertise behind us. Our stock includes Swift caravans and Bailey caravans, two extremely popular brands, and we are always more than happy to discuss how they might be suitable for you.

Our website has many more manufacturers for sale but we’re not just a caravan dealer – we also stock motorhomes and campervans, and you can easily navigate through it to find something suitable for you and which meets all of your requirements. If you have any further queries simply get in touch and one of our friendly team will be more than happy to help!