Basic safety and courtesy when towing on the road.
Before embarking on a self-drive holiday, there are a few simple things to check, and to keep in mind while travelling, which will make your holiday safer and more enjoyable.
Before setting off, make sure your mirrors are adjusted to give you the maximum view of the road behind you and the position of your vehicle and RV. Also make sure the wing mirrors are fitted correctly and won't move. Before hitting the road, check that all of the lights are working on both the vehicle and the RV and that the hand brake on the caravan is off.
When negotiating corners while towing, remember to allow for the extra length and width behind you and leave enough room for the RV wheels to clear the curbs.
If you are travelling with family and friends in a convoy, make sure you leave at least 200m between each vehicle to allow other travellers to pass each vehicle in the convoy, one at a time. Also, if you notice traffic banking up behind you, pull over and let them pass to avoid extra stress all round.
To ensure you get the most for your fuel dollar, maintain a speed of 80-90km/h and you will find that tank of fuel will take you further. Maintaining smooth acceleration, braking and steering will also provide a better and safer, driving balance.
When towing you need to remember that your acceleration will be affected by the additional weight. When looking to overtake, allow longer to speed up, and spend less time on the other side of the road.
On a self-drive holiday, the travelling should be as much fun as what you do when you arrive, so make sure you schedule rest stops and shorter travelling days to ensure that the passengers and the driver can enjoy the scenery along the way.
