Towing a caravan for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience — especially when you’re navigating highways, hills, or tight caravan parks. But with the right setup, skills, and awareness, towing becomes second nature and opens the door to exploring Australia with confidence.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a lap of the map, knowing how to tow a caravan properly is essential for your safety and the safety of others on the road. For those still sorting out their setup, some caravans in Heatherbrae are better suited to new towers thanks to their lighter weight and stability.
Know Your Towing Capacity
Before you hitch anything, it’s critical to understand your vehicle’s towing capacity. This is the maximum weight your car can legally and safely tow, as defined by the manufacturer. You’ll find this in your owner’s manual or the compliance plate under the bonnet.
More importantly, you also need to consider the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), Gross Combined Mass (GCM), and the Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) of your caravan. Exceeding any of these limits is not only illegal — it puts strain on your brakes, suspension, and driveline, and increases accident risk.
Tow ball weight is another factor. Aim for 8–12% of your caravan’s ATM as ball weight for stable towing. If it’s too light or too heavy, it can lead to sway or poor handling. Weigh your van and car properly before any major trip.
Set Up Your Caravan and Tow Vehicle Correctly
Proper setup makes towing safer and more stable. This includes fitting the right towbar and coupling — ideally rated above your caravan’s ATM — and ensuring your vehicle has electric brake control for anything over 750kg ATM.
Safety chains must be crossed under the hitch, and your caravan should have working brake lights, indicators, and reflectors. Weight distribution hitches can help manage heavier vans, and extended towing mirrors are required by law if your caravan is wider than your vehicle’s mirrors.
Tyres are another often-overlooked detail. Check tyre pressure and condition on both the tow vehicle and the caravan before every trip. Uneven or underinflated tyres are a major risk when towing.
Driving Techniques for Towing
Towing a caravan changes the way your vehicle handles — it accelerates slower, takes longer to stop, and needs more space to turn. Take corners wider than usual to avoid kerbing the van wheels, and always allow extra braking distance.
Use lower gears when climbing or descending hills to prevent overheating your brakes or transmission. Avoid sudden lane changes or braking — smooth, deliberate driving keeps everything stable. Be aware of your height when entering carparks, drive-thrus, or low-clearance areas.
On highways, keep left and use overtaking lanes where available. If traffic is building behind you, pull over when safe to let others pass — it’s a courtesy and often a legal requirement. Watch for wind gusts, trucks passing, or uneven roads — all of which can unsettle your van.
Reversing a Caravan
Reversing a caravan is a learned skill — but once mastered, it gives you full freedom to navigate parks, driveways, and tight sites. Start by practising in an open space like an empty car park. Use small steering inputs and go slowly.
When reversing, the caravan moves in the opposite direction to your steering wheel. If you want the rear of the van to go left, turn your wheel right — and vice versa. Some drivers find it helpful to place their hands at the bottom of the wheel for more intuitive control.
Take your time, use a spotter when available, and don’t be afraid to stop, pull forward, and realign. Many vans now come with reversing cameras or can be fitted with one — these help, but shouldn’t replace mirrors or spatial awareness.
FAQs
Do I need a special licence to tow a caravan in Australia?
In most states and territories, you don’t need a special licence to tow a caravan as long as your combined vehicle and trailer weight doesn’t exceed the limits of a standard car licence (Class C). However, you do need to comply with legal towing capacities and road rules. If you’re towing very large or heavy vans (usually over 4.5 tonnes ATM), you may need a Light Rigid (LR) or higher licence, but that’s uncommon for recreational caravanners. Even without a special licence, completing a towing course is a great idea — especially for first-time towers. It helps you build confidence and understand critical safety practices that aren’t always obvious from the manual alone.
What’s the best speed to tow a caravan?
The ideal towing speed depends on the road conditions, your vehicle, and your comfort level. Legally, you must not exceed the speed limit for the road you’re on — but many experienced towers recommend travelling slightly below the limit, especially on highways. Towing at around 90–100 km/h on open roads gives you more reaction time and helps with stability. Going slower also reduces sway from passing trucks or side winds and improves your fuel efficiency. In wet, windy, or downhill conditions, reducing your speed further adds another layer of safety. No matter how fast you’re going, always leave extra braking distance and drive smoothly — sudden movements are a common cause of towing accidents.
How do I stop a caravan from swaying?
Caravan sway — or “snaking” — is one of the biggest hazards when towing. It usually happens when the caravan is poorly loaded, the ball weight is too light, or you’re hit by strong winds or overtaking trucks. To minimise sway, always pack heavier items low and above the axle, maintain correct tyre pressures, and check that your ball weight sits around 10% of the caravan’s ATM. Using a weight distribution hitch can help improve balance, and sway control systems (either mechanical or electronic) can add another level of safety. If sway starts while driving, don’t brake suddenly. Instead, hold the wheel steady, ease off the accelerator, and allow the rig to settle. Some brake controllers also let you apply van brakes independently, which can help stabilise the sway.
Can I tow a caravan with any car?
Not every car is suitable for towing a caravan. Your vehicle must be rated to tow the caravan’s weight — including payload and water tanks. SUVs and dual-cab utes are commonly used because they offer higher towing capacities and stronger suspension setups. Small cars can sometimes tow lightweight pop-tops or teardrop campers, but anything over 1,500kg usually requires a larger vehicle with a braked towing capacity of at least 2,000kg or more. It’s not just about towing the weight — you also need to stop it. So having the right brakes, transmission, and cooling system matters too. Always check your vehicle’s towing specs and never exceed its Gross Combined Mass (GCM) or Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), as this is illegal and dangerous.
How do I check if my caravan and vehicle are safe to tow?
The best way to ensure your rig is safe to tow is by weighing everything — your car, your van, and the load in both. Use a weighbridge to check compliance with towing limits: ATM, GVM, GCM, and tow ball weight. Before every trip, inspect your tyres (including the spare), brake controller, towing mirrors, lights, chains, and hitch connection. Make sure the caravan is loaded correctly — heavy gear down low and over the axle, lighter items up top. Test your brake controller and make sure the van’s brakes activate smoothly. Tension your safety chains, check that your breakaway switch is connected (if fitted), and secure any loose items. If you’re ever in doubt, get a professional pre-trip inspection — especially for longer or interstate travel.
Getting towing right from the start
Towing a caravan isn’t just about having the right gear — it’s about confidence, safety, and knowing your setup inside and out. With practice and a properly matched rig, towing becomes a smooth, stress-free part of the journey that lets you focus on what matters most: the adventure ahead.
Start your journey with confidence — visit 7th Street Caravans or give our team a call on 02 4012 6009 for friendly, local advice.