Caravan towing tips

• When towing a caravan, the speed limit on single carriageways is 50mph instead of 60mph. Dual carriageways and motorways are 60mph instead of 70mph.
• The caravan adds length and width, so towing mirrors are likely to be a legal requirement. Like a cat’s whiskers, they are also incredibly handy for judging gaps.
• As the caravan’s axle is in the middle, care must be taken when turning alongside walls, trees, or petrol pumps due to ‘swing’. If possible, it’s best to wait until the rear of the caravan is clear of the obstacle before turning the steering wheel.

Tips to reverse your caravan

When reversing a caravan, practice makes perfect. The following tips have served me well over the years, and I hope you’ll find them useful.

• It helps if your car and caravan are straight before you begin manoeuvring.
• If parked at 90 degrees to your pitch, turn the bottom of the steering wheel towards the pitch, and your caravan will turn the correct way. Then, as you start reversing, remember that your caravan will turn the opposite way to the way you steer.
• To reverse in a straight line, turn the top of the steering wheel towards the mirror that shows more of the caravan. Keep watching both mirrors and repeat the process while reversing.
• Small, slow movements are important and always try to pick a point behind the caravan to ‘aim’ for. Remember that the caravan will pivot around the axle/wheels.
• Reversing with your pitch to the driver’s side will give you a better view as the caravan begins to turn.
• If my wife or kids are watching my blind side and I have a good aim point to the driver’s side, one of them shouting ‘Stop’ if I get too close to something I can’t see works well. Don’t worry if it doesn’t go right the first time; pull forward, straighten up and give it another go. Practice makes perfect.
• Or, a motor-mover is an excellent get-out-of-jail-free card for those times when things don’t go as planned.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club offer towing and manoeuvring courses at various locations around the country.

Want to try reversing a caravan from the comfort of your own home? Then why not give the Reverse My Trailer driving simulator a try?

This programme is designed to help you learn how to reverse and manoeuvre any kind of towed trailer. A 3-D simulator will teach you the principals involved in towing and allow you to hone your skills before heading out on the open road for the first time.

Reverse My Trailer is available for Windows PC and as an app on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Jump to:

• Beginners Guide to Caravanning – Homepage
• How to load your caravan
• How to set your caravan’s noseweight
• How to hitch up your caravan
• How to tow and reverse your caravan
• Arriving on site: How to level your caravan
• Arriving on site: Electrical system
• Arriving on site: Gas system
• Arriving on site: Water system
• Arriving on site: How to set up your Alde or Truma heating system
• Arriving on site: Toilet cassette
• Arriving on site: Fridge
• Arriving on site: Hob, oven and grill
• Arriving on site: How to adjust your caravan’s TV aerial
• Arriving on site: How to secure your caravan
• Caravan Weight Plate Upgrade: How to increase your caravan’s payload
• Glossary