Towing safety: the fundamentals

Safe towing comes down to a handful of fundamentals done well, every single trip. Get these right and your rig will be stable, legal and predictable on the road.

Know your weights

• Tare: the empty weight of the van.
• ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass): the maximum your van can legally weigh, fully loaded.
• GVM and GCM: the maximum weight of your loaded tow vehicle, and of the vehicle and van combined.
• Towball download: the weight the coupling places on your vehicle’s towbar — typically around 10% of the trailer’s weight.

Distribute weight properly

Pack heavy items low and over the axles, keep the load balanced side to side, and avoid piling weight at the rear. A weight-distribution hitch can help share load across both axles of the tow vehicle and improve stability — set up correctly for your rig.

Hitch and connect carefully

Each time you hook up, confirm the coupling is fully seated and locked, safety chains are connected and correctly rated, the breakaway system (if fitted) is connected, and all lights and electric brakes work before you move.

Mirrors and on-road technique

• Fit towing mirrors if your van is wider than your tow vehicle, and adjust them for a clear view down both sides.
• Keep as far left as is safe to allow room for overtaking vehicles.
• Allow longer braking distances — your vehicle takes more time to slow when towing.
• Take corners wider than usual to avoid clipping gutters or signs, and allow extra time and space when merging.
• Stay aware of crosswinds and passing trucks, which can affect sway.

Don’t guess your weights — weigh them

A mistake even experienced caravanners make is not weighing their setup. It’s easy to assume you’re within your limits, but small additions like extra gear, water or accessories add up fast. Public weighbridges are widely available across Australia and inexpensive to use — and remember a van’s Tare is the empty factory weight, not its real-world loaded weight.

Brakes and control

Make sure your electric brake controller is set correctly and the van’s brakes are in good condition. Drive to the conditions, brake early and gently, and give yourself room — towing forgives planning, not panic.