There’s nothing that kills the mood at a campsite quicker than someone stressed about towing. I’ve seen blokes so rattled they couldn’t enjoy a cold one because they were already panicking about reversing out in the morning and I’ve watched people bail on great campsites just because the access road turned to dirt.
Let’s be clear, towing a caravan isn’t easy, but it’s also not something you should fake your way through. Done right, it’s safe, manageable, and opens the door to a whole new style of travel. Done wrong, and it’s white knuckles, jackknifing, and a growing list of expensive regrets.
So here it is: the beginner’s guide to towing a caravan; what to know, what to avoid, and how to survive the trip without filing for divorce somewhere between the servo and the Simmo.
Before You Hitch Up, Set Up
Most of the dramas I see on the road start before the caravan is even hooked up. When you’re towing you need a whole lot more than just a tow bar and hope. You need to know your numbers: GVM, GCM, ATM, GTM, and ball weight to name a few.
If you’re not sure what those mean, grab a coffee and go read your owner’s manual, because those numbers determine what you’re legally allowed to tow, and how safely you can do it.
Slap in a brake controller, check your tow bar’s rated for the job, and get your hitch height bang-on. The right setup turns towing from a chore into another part of the adventure, not something you need to grit your teeth through.
Pro tip: write your van’s height, width, and length on a sticker or piece of paper and stick it to the top corner of your windscreen. One quick glance could save you from trying to thread a 3.2m-tall caravan under a 2.8m servo awning and being the talk of a small outback town.
4x4 towing caravan near ocean
Walk Around. Every Time. No Excuses.
I’ve seen rigs hit the road with the jockey wheel still down, others dragging chains with sparks flying behind them and the trailer plug flapping in the breeze. It’s how dream trips turn into nightmares real quick, and how people learn lessons the hard way.
It takes less than 90 seconds to walk around your setup. Do it every single time you tow and make it part of your pre-departure habit, even if you’re just moving bays at the caravan park. Towing’s a big responsibility, and it deserves a bit of extra attention.
Things I check on a walk around:
- Safety chains crossed
- Brake plug connected
- Jockey wheel up and locked
- Tyre correctly inflated and in good condition
- No wheel nuts missing
- Load secured properly inside the van
- Step stowed
- Nothing attaching the van to anything other than the tow vehicle (no shore power, water, etc. attached)
If there’s one habit you take away from this article, let it be this. It’s simple, it’s quick, and it’ll save you from a world of pain.
Drive Like You’re Towing Something (Because You Are)
You’ve now got more weight, a longer stopping distance, and a caravan that flinches when making sudden moves. Drive smooth. Brake early. Corner wider, and be patient.
If you’re in an auto, stay out of top gear and keep an eye on your transmission temps, especially on hills or hot days, no one wants to cook a gearbox halfway to the High Country.
Always use proper towing mirrors. Throw those cheap and ridiculous strap on “towing mirrors” in the bin where they belong and get the right ones. If you can’t see the full width of your van behind you, you’re guessing, and there’s no room for guesswork when it comes to towing and safety.
4x4 towing caravan in rural town
Respect the Wind and Weight Balance
One of the sketchiest things you’ll feel as a beginner is trailer sway. It could be from wind, passing trucks, or an unbalanced load. If it happens, ease off the throttle gently, don’t yank the wheel, and let the combo settle you. You can also dial in some trailer brakes to pull the setup straight. Never hit your vehicle's brakes, it'll bring you undone quicker than you can imagine.
If you’re regularly getting trailer sway, check your ball weight, tyre pressures, and how the van is loaded. Sway isn’t a mystery—it’s usually poor weight distribution or undersized tow gear.
Pro Tip: Consider installing an anti-trailer sway system on your caravan and packing your van smartly. If you’re looking for more info on weight distribution check out this yarn from my mate Pat Callinan here.
Practise Reversing Where No One’s Watching
Don’t make your first crack at reversing a van in front of 20 parked caravans and a bloke in a Bintang singlet giving you tips you didn’t ask for.
Find an empty paddock or car park and practise. Back straight; turn into a bay; learn how your van reacts to small steering inputs.
Use a spotter if you’ve got one, and agree on clear signals and communication—none of this frantic arm-waving and swearing. Remember, slow and steady wins the reversing game. My golden rules here are:
- Never reverse further than you have to;
- Never reverse faster than you want to hit something.
Expert Towing Tip: To reverse in a straight line, turn the steering wheel towards whichever mirror is showing the most van in it. Slow and steady, small corrections, and don’t be afraid to stop and straighten up if it starts getting away from you.
Biggest Beginner Blunders (I See All the Time):
- Forgetting the van’s height and tagging low-clearance signs or trees
- Not fitting towing mirrors
- Leaving the caravans handbrake on
- Reversing with the van’s door, stabilisers, or step still out
- Using car tyre pressures with a fully loaded van
- Under-utilising their UHF
- Poor communication between the spotter and driver
- Corner cutting
4x4 and caravan camping
Ready to Roll? Here’s Your Pre-Departure Checklist:
Print it. Screenshot it. Stick it to the inside of the van door. Or heck, tattoo it on your arm if you reckon it’ll help!
TOW RIG:
☑ Towbar secure
☑ Hitch locked + clipped
☑ Safety chains crossed + attached
☑ Electrical plug connected + lights working
☑ Brake controller connected and tested
☑ Mirrors adjusted
☑ Tyre pressures checked (vehicle and van)
☑ Wheel nuts checked
CARAVAN:
☑ Doors, hatches + awnings locked
☑ Fridge + gear secured
☑ Gas off
☑ Blinds down
☑ Jockey wheel up
☑ Handbrake off
☑ Stabiliser legs up
☑ Steps in
EXTRAS:
☑ Van height, width, and length visible in cab
☑ Fire extinguisher accessible
☑ Breakaway cable checked
☑ Weight evenly distributed
Final Word: Confidence Comes With Reps
Towing doesn’t have to be stressful. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Treat it with respect, keep your rig maintained, and don’t be afraid to take it slow. Everyone stuffs it up at some point, the smart ones just do it where no one’s watching and there’s nothing to hit.
So get out there, start towing, and enjoy the reason you bought the van in the first place. I promise you, the more you do it, the better it gets. Sometimes… I even secretly enjoy it. Don’t tell my missus though.
Got a home away from home?
Anywhere you can legally go in Australia, we'll be in tow.
