There are a number of checks that need to be performed before you  take a trip with a caravan. It is essential to satisfy all of the legal requirements and to take as many steps as possible to ensure the safety of all road users. This guide should not be considered exhaustive but a good start to getting you on your way.

Relative Weights

Having the correct weight distribution is a legal requirement, so it is definitely a good idea to ensure that you have all of the weights worked out before you purchase any new equipment or a new vehicle.

1. Ensure the engine of the towing vehicle is large enough for the weight of the caravan.

2. Ensure that the brakes are powerful enough for the weight of the caravan.

3. Check that the gross weight of the trailer doesn’t exceed the towing weight. The recommended towing limit will be recorded in the manufacturers handbook and on the V.I.N. Plate on the chassis. It is recommended that the towed vehicle does not exceed 85% of the weight of the towing vehicle.

4. Check the nose weight is either 4% of trailer weight or at least 25kg, whichever is higher.

Loading Your Caravan

The way in which you load your caravan will affect the way that it drives. Wrongly loaded caravans are far more likely to swerve or snake and so will be much more difficult to control. Follow these loading guidelines to achieve the maximum amount of stability for your caravan.

• Always store heavy smaller items low down, ideally over the axles or just in front of them.

• Try and maintain even weight distribution. If you have heavy items to place in front of the axle balance them by placing an equally weighted item just behind the axle.

• Lighter, larger items should ideally be carried in the towing vehicle.

• Only place light items in the overhead lockers.

• Place heavy and medium weighted items towards the front of the vehicle.

• Safely secure all items in the caravan. Tying them down if necessary.

• Gas cannisters must be turned off at the cylinder when moving. Furthermore the channel tunnel and ferries have their own guidelines regarding gas transportation. Always check before you travel with each individual travel provider.

Checks To Perform Just Before You Travel

It is advisable to perform these checks every time that you are going to travel. They will help to ensure the safety of you and your vehicles whilst on the road.

1. Check all cables for wear and tear and ensure they are firmly secured to both the towing and the towed vehicles.

2. Check the tyre pressure is correct on both vehicles.

3. Ensure that all prop stands and corner steadies are completely wound up and secured in place.

4. Check the coupling height is correct. The trailer should be level with the towing vehicle.

5. Check you have adequate visibility from the drivers seat, add additional towing mirrors if necessary.

There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the weight of caravan that a driving license entitles you to tow, due to a change in the law enacted from the 1^st January 1997.

Licenses

The law states that if you have a driving license from before the 1^st of January 1997 you can drive any vehicle and trailer combination as long as the combined weight of the vehicles does not exceed 8250kg Maximum Authorised Mass (M.A.M.).* And the towing vehicle’s weight must not exceed 7500kg.

If you have a full driving license from after 1^st January 1997 you may drive a car or lightweight commercial vehicle and tow a caravan but the combined weight must not exceed 4250kg. So the caravan’s weight must not be greater than 750kg, if the car weighs 3000kg. If you wish to tow a caravan above 750kg, you must follow the rule that the combined weight of the vehicle and caravan must not exceed 3500kg. In order to do this the caravan must not have a greater M.A.M. than the unladen weight of the vehicle towing.

Inexperienced drivers are recommended to tow a caravan with no greater than 85% of the weight of the vehicle towing. This will make more difficult manoeuvers, such as hill starts, easier.

It is illegal to tow any vehicle with only a provisional license.

If you passed your test after the 1^st January 1997 and wish to tow a greater weight, you need to take a B+E driving test. See the Driving Standards Agency or Driving Instructors Association websites for more information about how to take this test. It is worth noting that the tests will probably be held at a designated truck and bus testing centre.

Establishing The Weight of the Towing Vehicle

There are two different directives on how to establish the weight of your towing vehicle:

• According to the UK Construction and Use Regulations 1986, M.A.M. or curb weight is the “weight of the vehicle as it leaves the manufacturer with full fuel, adequate lubricants and water, standard tools and equipment but no driver, occupants or load”.

• According to the E.U. Directive 95/48 it is, “the weight of the vehicle as it leaves the manufacturer, with fuel tank 90% full, necessary fluids for normal operation, a nominal driver weight of 68kg and 7kg of luggage.”

In reality this means that E.U. curb weights are around 70kg more than by the U.K. rule. Most new cars now use the E.U. definition, but the U.K. standard will provide you with a safer ratio.

It is always advisable to determine the curb weight by consulting the manufacturer, in store sales advisers will not always be up-to-date with towing laws and may not give you correct information. Any infringement of the law could cause an accident, invalidate your insurance or see you taken to court. None of which are desirable outcomes so it is best to be crystal clear before you make your first trip.

Accordingly it is important to keep up-to-date with new developments in this law. Currently amendments to the laws are being considered in order to clarify these laws that many find confusing. Although this should not change current allowances for drivers who already hold their full license, it is possible that there will be adjustments.

*Also referred to as Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (M.T.P.L.M.), Gross Weight or Curb weight.