Mobile Living Made Easy Australia Issue 2 - Page 21

FEATURE ­— THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN TOWING
the driver to have a wide, clear view along both
sides of the trailer.
I’ve used the same set of Milenco Grand Aero
mirrors for many years. They’re easy to fit and,
thanks to their aerodynamic shape, they don’t blow
inwards when a road train passes.
And no, a rearview camera on a caravan is not a
substitute for a set of tow mirrors.
TIGHT TURNS
When negotiating tight corners, the caravan or
boat will take a shorter path than the tow vehicle.
If the driver does not account for this by taking the
corner more widely than when unhitched, the van
or boat could mount the gutter or, worse, swipe a
street sign or other object.
In gusty conditions, my personal rig doesn’t like
travelling over 90km/h, so I’ll stick to the left lane
and try to keep my speed constant, depending on
traffic conditions, as this will give other motorists
the ability to judge the timing of their overtaking
manoeuvre without incident. In different road
conditions, such as a winding, single-lane
mountain road, I’ll pull over where possible to
allow the following traffic to overtake – a friendly
wave is usually my reward.
SUMMNG UP
Naturally, there’s a lot more to towing a large trailer;
however, don’t let yourself be overwhelmed. Do
your research and have a go, preferably with an
experienced tower in the passenger seat, and
always approach it with caution and common
sense. This is the only way you’ll gain experience
and confidence at the helm of a large touring setup.
LEARN MORE
Metec
MORE INFORMATION
If the combined length of the tow vehicle and van/
boat is 7.5m or greater, a ‘Do Not Overtake Turning
Vehicle’ sticker can be displayed, which will allow
you to legally occupy part of another lane when
making a turn. The National Caravan and Recreational Vehicle
Towing Guide
TRAVEL SPEED Tow-ed
There are numerous reasons why a driver might feel
uncomfortable towing a large trailer at highway
speeds, though lacking confidence in the stability of
the rig is a separate issue that should be addressed.
Image Credit: Sean Scott Photography
MORE INFORMATION
MORE INFORMATION
Mobile living made easy. — 21 ­