Before you even hitch up, you should practice safe towing. In actuality, it begins even before you pay your hard-earned money for a caravan or tow vehicle. Consider how many vehicles you’ve passed on the road that just didn’t look right. There are numerous setups out there that fit the proverbial description of the tail wagging the dog. Investing in a reliable tow vehicle and combining it with a well-thought-out trailer will lay the groundwork for a steady setup that is manageable even when the proverbial “fan” hits.
Tires
After assembling your rig, it’s time to configure it for maximum stability and safety. When you’re ready for a long drive, your vehicle will most likely be as hefty as it can be. Maintaining all that weight on the road will put a tremendous amount of strain on your tires, which are likely to be under-inflated for the job. Find out from your tire expert what pressures they need to be at to handle large loads.
Weight Allocation
Large caravans put a lot of strain on the towing vehicle’s tow ball. This weight relieves pressure on the front wheels by acting as a heavy playmate on the other end of a see-saw. On the towing Surrey steering and handling, this may have a significant impact. The weight will be redistributed back onto the front of the tow vehicle with a correctly installed weight distribution hitch, as the name implies, restoring balance and steering. There’s a considerable possibility you’ll require a weight-distribution hitch if your tow rig has a V shape.
Smart investment
It’s possible that you’ll also need an electronic brake controller installed in the tow vehicle if you’re towing a large caravan. You shouldn’t be looking around for eBay’s deal of the week at this time. You’ll want the best controller available, which in this case would be a reputable proportional braking controller.
Servicing
While we’re talking about brakes, it’s crucial that you have your caravan’s brakes maintained and adjusted on a regular basis. Every 20,000 kilometers, they should at the very least be examined by a certified caravan service technician. Get them to check the axles, the suspension, and the bearings while they’re at it. Regularly inspect your wheel nuts.
Rear Vision
A good set of towing mirrors is another essential piece of equipment that is frequently disregarded. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers seem to believe that they are exempt from this obligation and opt not to wear them. These mirrors provide a critical peripheral view down the sides of your vehicle that standard car mirrors cannot.You probably need to install extension mirrors if your caravan is the typical width of about 2.5 meters.
Communications
Installing a UHF CB radio on your tow vehicle is a smart idea, but only if you plan to use it. I find it astounding how many trailers have the names of the owners on the back, suggesting that they are watching Channel 40, but when we contact them, they don’t pick up.
