A pre-trip safety check takes 10 to 15 minutes and catches problems before they become breakdowns, accidents, or expensive repairs on the road. Do this every time you move camp, without exception. Once it becomes habit, you’ll run through it automatically.
Before You Hitch Up
Tyres: Check pressure on all caravan tyres (including the spare) using a quality tyre gauge. Correct pressure is stamped on the tyre placard or in your owner’s manual. Look for visible damage: cuts, bulges, cracking, or objects embedded in the tread. Check tyre age; tyres older than 5 years should be replaced regardless of tread depth (check the DOT date code on the sidewall).
Wheel nuts: Check all wheel nuts are tight using a torque wrench. This is the most important check on this list. Loose wheel nuts are the most common preventable caravan failure on Australian roads, and a wheel detaching at highway speed is catastrophic. Torque to manufacturer specification (typically 100 to 130Nm).
Brakes: Visual check of brake drums (no fluid leaks, no unusual heat after recent use). Listen for any scraping or grinding when rolling the van by hand.
Lights: Connect the van and check all running lights, brake lights, and indicators are working. Have someone stand behind the van while you test each function from the tow vehicle.
Hitch & Coupling
Coupling: Ensure the coupling is fully seated on the tow ball and the locking mechanism is engaged. Give it a firm pull upward to confirm it’s locked.
Safety chains: Crossed under the coupling, correctly attached, with enough slack for turns but not so much they drag on the ground.
Breakaway cable: Pin correctly inserted and cable attached to the tow vehicle (not to the safety chains or coupling).
Jockey wheel: Fully retracted and locked in the raised position. A jockey wheel that drops during transit can dig into the road surface and cause loss of control.
Handbrake: Released. (It happens more often than you’d think.)
External
Awning: Fully retracted and locked in the travel position.
Steps: Retracted and secured.
Stabiliser legs: Fully wound up.
External hatches: All hatches closed and latched (toilet cassette hatch, battery compartment, external shower, water inlet covers).
Antenna: Lowered and secured if your van has a roof-mounted TV antenna.
Power lead: Disconnected and stowed. Check the site’s power outlet is switched off before disconnecting.
Water hose: Disconnected, drained, and stowed.
Internal
Gas bottles: Turned off at the valve.
Fridge: Switched to 12V mode for travel (if compressor). Door secured (most caravan fridges have a travel latch).
Loose items: Everything secured. Open the cupboards carefully at your next stop; items shift during transit. Heavy items should be low and centred. Nothing loose on benchtops, in the sink, or on beds.
Windows and roof hatches: Closed and latched. Roof hatches left open at speed can be damaged or torn off.
Print or laminate this checklist and keep it in the tow vehicle. Walk through it every time until it becomes second nature. Most experienced caravanners still use a checklist after years on the road. It’s not about experience; it’s about consistency.
- Check tyre pressures and wheel nuts before every trip. These are the most critical safety checks.
- Test all lights (running, brake, indicator) with someone standing behind the van.
- Confirm coupling is locked, safety chains crossed, breakaway cable attached, jockey wheel up.
- Close all hatches, retract awning and steps, secure loose items inside, turn gas off.
- Use a printed checklist every time. Consistency prevents mistakes.
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