Escaping the daily grind to discover the wonders of our vast country has captivated countless adventurers. Whether you're embarking on the Big Lap, embracing a nomadic life on the open roads, or squeezing in getaways during weekends and holidays, each journey has its own tales. Every caravanner, regardless of experience, can attest to the steep learning curve that comes with this passion.
In this guide, we delve into 10 common oversights encountered during caravanning. Even for the seasoned traveller, revisiting these pointers serves as a valuable refresher, ensuring every trip is as smooth as the last.
1. Not Just About Weight, But Where
Many caravanners are well-versed in monitoring the weight they're carrying but may overlook its distribution. The distribution of weight significantly influences the handling, potential to sway or yaw, braking, and overall safety of the caravan.
It's understandable given the limited storage options in most vans; the front and rear bars become convenient spots for storing large, bulky, and heavy items such as additional spares, jerry cans, and toolboxes.
You might have loaded your van similar to a balanced seesaw, staying within your weight limits, and assuming all is well. However, loading the extremities of your van could detrimentally affect its stability, especially when towing a caravan exceeding 7 meters in length.
Robert Pepper from L2SFBC illustrates these concepts brilliantly in his video titled "Why trailer weight distribution causes loss of control" on YouTube. He delves into the importance of understanding and applying proper weight distribution techniques to enhance the safety and stability of your caravan during your travels.
2. The 10% Tow Ball Weight Rule
The general recommendation, though often misunderstood, is for the tow ball weight to be approximately 9-11% of the total caravan weight. Placing excessive weight on the tow ball can compromise steering, while insufficient weight might result in trailer sway.
Balancing this weight ratio can be a nuanced task. For those towing a larger caravan, achieving the ideal 10% ball mass might push the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Rear Axle Loads beyond their specified limits.
Complicating matters, many van manufacturers have begun advertising tow ball weights at Tare that are considerably below this recommended range. This deviation means caravanners must employ strategic load placement to hit the desired balance — and by "strategic," we aren't suggesting piling weights onto the A-frame!
The length of your caravan also dictates the importance of this rule. While it may be less critical for a small camper trailer or a European van to hit the 10% mark precisely, it's imperative for longer caravans exceeding 6-7 meters. Their extended length makes them more susceptible to yawing, turning the 10% guideline from a mere suggestion into a crucial safety measure.
3. Equal Weight Does Not Mean Equal Distribution
Achieving ideal weights along the caravan doesn't automatically translate to optimal distribution. For the best stability, it's important that weight is balanced both laterally (side to side) and longitudinally (front to back), and as low as possible! (vertical).
A common pitfall many face is neglecting lateral load placement. Surprisingly, not all professional weight checks highlight this aspect, and standard weighbridges certainly won't provide these specifics.
As a guideline, the weight on each side of your caravan should deviate by no more than 3%. This means careful attention is required when loading your caravan to guarantee an evenly balanced load.
For those with a tandem caravan, you'll need to ensure both the front-left and front-right wheels are evenly matched, just as the rear-left and rear-right wheels should be.
Ideally, manufacturers should ensure their caravans leave the factory with even weight distribution and within the ideal ratios for Pig Trailers, as a matter of safety and professionalism. Unfortunately, due to high demand and a lack of stringent oversight, this isn't always the case. Buyers should remain vigilant and conduct their own checks to ensure safety on the road.
4. Ignoring the Rear Axles
While limits like GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) and GCM (Gross Combination Mass) often steal the spotlight in caravan discussions, many overlook the critical importance of Rear Axle Limits. These limits aren't always displayed prominently, often requiring a dive into the owner's manual or a close inspection of the vehicle's plaque.
Further complicating matters, a significant number of caravan enthusiasts aren't familiar with the leverage effect the tow ball mass has on rear axles. This effect is similar to how a fulcrum works in lever mechanics. For instance, a tow ball weight of 300kg can, due to this leverage, increase the load on the rear axles by an additional 40-50%.
For many, the whole process – understanding this limit, locating the specific data, and then doing the necessary calculations for their loads – can seem overwhelming.
As a result, it often gets relegated to the "too hard" basket. However, neglecting this aspect can lead to severe consequences. An alarming number of caravanners learn about the importance of these limits only after they've fully outfitted their vehicles – and often, after it's too late.
.png)
5. Forgetting the Dynamics
When it comes to caravanning, it's essential to remember that they don't always behave the same way in different situations.
Whether you're braking, accelerating, navigating a bend, or experiencing turbulence from a gust of wind, your caravan's behaviour can shift due to these dynamic changes.
Ignoring this can lead to unpredictable and often dangerous outcomes.
One sentiment often echoed by those involved in towing incidents is, "it always felt so stable." It's a sobering reminder that what feels okay in one moment can rapidly change in the next.
When towing, numerous factors interplay to determine the caravan's dynamics, such as weight, load distribution, wind conditions, road type, speed, and, not least, the driver's skill.
Under most ordinary conditions, even a relatively unexperienced can confidently tow a caravan that's poorly loaded or slightly overweight. However, introduce higher speeds, gusty winds, or a sudden driver overcorrection into the mix, and the situation can escalate quickly.
While electronic stability controllers offer a valuable safety net, relying on them as a foolproof solution can be misleading. Their effectiveness can diminish, especially at high speeds.
Moreover, as highlighted throughout this guide, a caravan, categorised as a pig trailer, tends to become progressively unstable as it grows heavier and longer.
6. Water Tanks, A Fluid Factor
Water tanks, with their capacity to significantly alter a caravan's weight, available payload, and tow ball mass, present a unique challenge for caravanners.
A perfectly balanced caravan with full tanks can behave differently when those tanks are empty. This change becomes more pronounced the further these tanks are situated from the axles.
Yet, some caravanners might overlook this aspect, especially when they fill or empty their tanks mid-journey.
Travelling with full water tanks has its perks; it lowers your caravan's centre of gravity, enhancing stability. However, it comes at the expense of reducing your available payload, adding potentially unnecessary weight, and consuming more fuel.
A lesser-known yet vital factor in caravan safety is the risk associated with traveling with semi-filled tanks. Unlike full or empty tanks, half-filled ones allow water to slosh side-to-side, causing unexpected weight shifts. These dynamic movements can compromise your rig's stability, especially during turns. While most water tanks have internal baffles that reduce forward or backward surges during acceleration or braking, they often lack baffles that prevent lateral motion. In fact, some tanks lack baffles altogether.
It's important to understand the type of tanks your caravan is equipped with so you can plan accordingly. Even if they are fitted with appropriate baffles, they won't entirely eliminate the water sloshing effect.
7. Misjudging the Tare Weight
One of the often-misunderstood aspects is the caravans tare weight. While it seems straightforward, many caravanners fall into the trap of inaccurate tare weights and the implications of post-purchase add-ons.
Caravan tare weights are frequently provided as model averages, not unique to your specific build. This generic approach might give you a ballpark figure, but its accuracy can be off by a significant margin. Several prominent brands have been known to have discrepancies of up to 100kgs.
To further muddy the waters, some manufacturers conveniently exclude optional add-ons from their compliance plate tare weight figures.
The result? The weight you assume your caravan to be, based on the compliance plate, might differ drastically from its actual weight. This can leave you grappling with less available payload than anticipated.
To avoid any unexpected surprises, it's advisable to include a professional weight check before the handover. This proactive step ensures you're aware of any issues while still holding some negotiation power.
For caravanners investing in a pre-loved caravan, there's an added layer of complexity. Previous owners might have affixed extra components such as bike racks, awnings, or solar panels after their initial purchase. These additions, although sometimes subtle, can significantly impact the caravan's weight and balance, and your available payload. In a sellers’ market, where thorough inspections might be challenging, many buyers get caught off guard.
8. Overconfidence with Experience
When it comes to caravanning, sometimes experience can inadvertently lead to overconfidence. The notion that "I've done this for years, nothing's ever gone wrong" can cloud judgment and bypass important safety measures.
The "she'll be right" mindset is a potential pitfall that even the most seasoned caravanners can fall into. Having navigated out of a caravan sway incident or driven far without a hiccup might make one feel invincible.
Despite being seasoned travellers, it's essential to remember that caravans are pig trailers. These trailers are inherently more susceptible to stability issues, making them unpredictable when not loaded or maintained correctly.
A crackdown in Queensland highlighted the dangers of overconfidence. Out of 71 caravans weighed during a random check, a staggering majority of owners were oblivious about their van's weight specifics. The alarming statistic: 58% exceeded their ATMs, and this assessment didn't even include the towing vehicles. Such oversights paint a worrying picture of complacency.
Even seasoned caravanners must maintain a culture of regular checks and balances. A thorough understanding and adherence to the weight and loading guidelines are essential irrespective of one's level of experience.
9. Proactive Maintenance
Depending on the age and the roughness of your travels, you might need to attend to your van more frequently than you think. While wheel bearings are a commonly recognised wear point, there are other potential trouble areas that often escape notice.
Silastic sealants, for example, play a crucial role in protecting your caravan from water damage. When applied correctly, they should last many years, but not forever. Over time, you might notice the silastic lifting or spots of discoloration underneath it. Such signs indicate water infiltration, which, if left unchecked, can lead to significant structural and interior damage.
The caravan chassis requires a keen eye for fatigue, like cracking at stress or weld points, and corrosion damage. Repetitive fatigue of these critical areas can be hazardous, leading to structural failure. A issue more prevalent with off-road vans when speed and tire pressures are neglected.
Although some signs of wear and tear are visible to the untrained eye, others may require a more in-depth examination by a professional.
10. Assuming Static Weight Checks are Enough
Weight checks undoubtedly form a critical aspect of maintaining your rig's weights and limits. They offer a precise snapshot of your loads at a particular moment in time.
The reality of caravanning is that it's a dynamic undertaking, always evolving and adjusting based on various factors.From the addition of new accessories like a diesel heater or replacing an older awning to changes in your day-to-day items, the weight of your rig is never truly constant.
After your initial weight check, you might have adjusted certain aspects of your load to stay within your rig's specified limits. But after making those adjustments, how do you ensure ongoing compliance?
It's essential to remember that while a static weight check is a fantastic starting point, it's not the end of the story. Continuous monitoring, and adaptive adjustments are vital to maintaining safety and efficiency on the road.
.png)
In Conclusion
Absolutely, the allure of the open road, the community camaraderie, and the freedom to explore the boundless landscapes are what make caravanning an enduring passion for many.
Yet, the road less travelled is not without its hurdles. The growing caravan culture in Australia has certainly heightened the complexity of towing, where every journey becomes a learning curve.
Navigating through the web of weight limits, regulations, and the array of caravan specifications can indeed feel like a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. The resources at hand, although beneficial, often skim the surface, leaving caravan enthusiasts in search of more tangible and user-friendly solutions.
The camaraderie within the caravanning community is a treasure trove of insights, yet, like in any community, the fear of missteps and the ensuing barrage of critiques can be intimidating for many, especially the newcomers. Every question, every discussion thread, unfolds a myriad of experiences, yet the cascading responses can sometimes drown the genuine pieces of advice among a sea of rebuttals.
Professional weight checks are indispensable, offering a foundation upon which safety measures are built. Yet, they capture a moment in time, while the essence of caravanning is the ever-changing adventure. Each day may bring a new accessory, a rearrangement of loads, or a shift in the caravan's dynamics.
This ever-evolving scenario calls for a companion that adapts to the caravanner’s needs, a solution that not just responds to the changes but anticipates them, ensuring the safety and compliance are not compromised.This is where we, at LoadMate, strive to bridge the gap. Understanding the pulse of the caravanning community, the joys, the challenges, and the thirst for simplifying the complex, we are dedicated to being that companion on your caravan journey. Offering a blend of intuitive tools and insightful guidance, LoadMate aims to unravel the complexities, providing a pathway through the maze of weights and measures, ensuring that your adventure remains safe, compliant, and enjoyable.
