10 Driving Tips to Tow Your Caravan with Confidence

Even with the perfect car–caravan setup, many beginners feel nervous the first few times they tow. That’s normal – your rig is longer, heavier, and slower to respond. The key to building confidence is adopting good driving habits from day one. These 10 in-depth tips will help you feel more in control, safer on the road, and more relaxed behind the wheel.

Tip 1: Take It Easy on the Accelerator

What to do: Apply the throttle smoothly and progressively. Don’t stamp on the pedal or try to match car-only acceleration.

Why it matters: A caravan adds huge weight and drag. Sudden acceleration can unsettle the van, cause sway, and burn fuel unnecessarily.

Example: Leaving a service station onto a busy highway – ease onto the road steadily, rather than trying to surge into a small gap. Safer for you, less stressful for traffic around you.

Tip 2: Allow More Braking Distance

What to do: Keep a 5–6 second gap from the car in front. Begin braking earlier and more gently than you normally would.

Why it matters: Extra weight means extra stopping distance. Hard braking risks jack-knifing, especially if your caravan brakes aren’t perfectly adjusted.

Example: On the highway at 100 km/h, a solo car might stop in ~40 m. With a caravan, you could need double. Start braking before traffic lights turn amber or when traffic ahead first slows, not at the last second.

Tip 3: Widen Your Turns

What to do: Take corners wider than you would without a caravan. Watch mirrors carefully to avoid clipping kerbs, poles, or other vehicles.

Why it matters: Caravans “cut in” – the rear wheels track tighter than your tow vehicle’s path. Misjudge it, and you’ll scrape your tyres, rims, or side panels.

Example: Entering a servo with tight bollards: swing out wider, then turn in slowly so the caravan clears the inside edge.

Tip 4: Use Lower Gears on Hills

What to do: Change down a gear before your car struggles uphill. On descents, shift down early and use engine braking.

Why it matters: Uphills: prevents overheating and over-revving. Downhills: avoids cooking your brakes, which can fade and fail under heavy loads.

Example: Approaching a long downhill in the Great Dividing Range – drop to third gear before the descent begins, keeping your speed steady without constant braking.

Tip 5: Keep Speeds Steady

What to do: Stick to 90–100 km/h, even if the limit is higher. Use cruise control carefully on flat highways, but turn it off in hilly or windy conditions.

Why it matters: Stable speed improves handling, reduces sway, saves fuel, and makes life easier for your engine and gearbox.

Example: On the Stuart Highway in the NT where limits are higher, resist the urge to speed up – 100 km/h is the practical max for most caravans.

Tip 6: Manage Overtaking Safely

What to do: Only overtake when you have a very long clear stretch. Drop to a lower gear, build speed gradually, and allow plenty of room before moving back in.

Why it matters: Your rig is longer, slower, and heavier than a solo car. Misjudged overtakes are one of the most dangerous towing mistakes.

Example: Passing a road train in WA – wait for a long clear stretch, signal early, build momentum, and leave a huge buffer before merging back.

Tip 7: Watch Out for Wind and Trucks

What to do: Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the throttle, and let the rig settle if buffeted by crosswinds or trucks. Don’t fight the sway with sharp steering inputs.

Why it matters: Pressure waves from trucks or gusty winds can push or suck your caravan sideways. Overcorrecting often makes it worse.

Example: Being overtaken by a semi – you’ll feel a pull then a push. Anticipate it, keep steady steering, and let the rig stabilise naturally.

Tip 8: Reverse with Small Adjustments

What to do: Go slowly, use mirrors, and make small steering corrections. Remember: turn the wheel opposite to where you want the back of the caravan to go.

Why it matters: Reversing is the #1 stress point for beginners. Over-steering creates jack-knifes. Small, slow movements = control.

Example: Reversing into a tight campsite: use small nudges of steering, stop often, and reset if it’s going wrong. A spotter using agreed hand signals is gold.

Tip 9: Rest More Often

What to do: Plan to stop every 2 hours for a stretch, snack, or driver swap. Fatigue hits faster when towing.

Why it matters: Towing requires more concentration. Long stints without breaks lead to poor judgement, slower reactions, and higher crash risk.

Example: Driving across the Nullarbor – schedule rest stops at roadhouses, even if you feel fine. It keeps you sharp and confident.

Tip 10: Stay Calm and Don’t Rush

What to do: Accept that towing is slower and more deliberate. If you make a mistake, stop, reset, and breathe.

Why it matters: Stress leads to rushed decisions, which cause accidents. Confidence comes from patience and practice, not pushing yourself.

Example: Missed a turn-off? Don’t swerve last minute – keep going and find a safe spot to turn around. Most of us have been there!

Bottom line: Confident towing isn’t about speed or bravado – it’s about smooth inputs, steady habits, and giving yourself space. With practice, these techniques will feel natural, and towing will become just another part of the adventure.