Avoid this costly blunder to protect your summer getaway and save big
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As the scent of sunscreen and the sound of cicadas become increasingly familiar, it's clear that the Aussie summer holidays are just around the corner.
For many of us, it's the perfect time to dust off the caravan and explore the vast beauty of our sunburnt country.
But before you start mapping out your journey and packing the esky, you need to heed a crucial piece of advice to avoid a costly and potentially dangerous mistake.
Jeff De Ath, the founder of New South Wales-based mobile caravan weighing company Check Weight, has seen firsthand the consequences of this common oversight.
According to De Ath, 60 to 70 per cent of his callouts reveal a weight issue with the caravan.
The problem often lies in the balance and weight distribution of the caravan.
In their eagerness to bring along all the comforts of home, many travellers overload the rear of their caravan.
This can reduce the tow ball weight and the caravan's downward force on the tow bar.
Suppose this weight is outside the manufacturer's specified maximum.
In that case, it can cause the caravan to sway dangerously at speed, making it difficult to control and increasing the risk of an accident.
One of De Ath's recent clients had attached three hefty metal boxes to the back of his caravan, significantly increasing its weight and throwing off the balance.
'Little things like your ball heist or how high the hitch is also affect your weight,' she said.
'Caravans are notoriously unbalanced, and then we make it worse, affecting your balance, safety and wheel wear. It doesn’t cause an accident, but it makes it hard to recover when things go wrong.'
Smaller items like spare wheels, jerry cans, and bicycles can contribute to unsafe swaying.
De Ath pointed out that factors such as the height of the hitch and the ball height can also affect the caravan's balance and safety and the wear on your wheels.
An unbalanced caravan might not directly cause an accident, but it can make it harder to recover if something goes wrong.
The implications of towing an overweight caravan extend beyond safety concerns.
If you're involved in an accident and your caravan is found to be overweight, you could lose your vehicle and van insurance.
That's why De Ath's advice is clear: get your caravan weighed to determine its legal and safe limits.
Specific standards and regulations for towing a caravan must be followed in Australia.
These include properly securing your load, adhering to licence restrictions, maintaining a safe distance from other caravans on the road, and not exceeding 100km per hour.
It is crucial to follow your vehicle manufacturer's safety guidelines, including the maximum weight limits in the owner’s manual.
Have you had any experiences with caravan weight issues, or do you have any tips for fellow travellers? Share your stories and advice in the comments below.
For many of us, it's the perfect time to dust off the caravan and explore the vast beauty of our sunburnt country.
But before you start mapping out your journey and packing the esky, you need to heed a crucial piece of advice to avoid a costly and potentially dangerous mistake.
Jeff De Ath, the founder of New South Wales-based mobile caravan weighing company Check Weight, has seen firsthand the consequences of this common oversight.
According to De Ath, 60 to 70 per cent of his callouts reveal a weight issue with the caravan.
The problem often lies in the balance and weight distribution of the caravan.
Nearly 60 to 70 per cent of caravan weigh-ins have a weight issue. Credit: Unsplash
In their eagerness to bring along all the comforts of home, many travellers overload the rear of their caravan.
This can reduce the tow ball weight and the caravan's downward force on the tow bar.
Suppose this weight is outside the manufacturer's specified maximum.
In that case, it can cause the caravan to sway dangerously at speed, making it difficult to control and increasing the risk of an accident.
One of De Ath's recent clients had attached three hefty metal boxes to the back of his caravan, significantly increasing its weight and throwing off the balance.
'Little things like your ball heist or how high the hitch is also affect your weight,' she said.
'Caravans are notoriously unbalanced, and then we make it worse, affecting your balance, safety and wheel wear. It doesn’t cause an accident, but it makes it hard to recover when things go wrong.'
Smaller items like spare wheels, jerry cans, and bicycles can contribute to unsafe swaying.
De Ath pointed out that factors such as the height of the hitch and the ball height can also affect the caravan's balance and safety and the wear on your wheels.
An unbalanced caravan might not directly cause an accident, but it can make it harder to recover if something goes wrong.
The implications of towing an overweight caravan extend beyond safety concerns.
If you're involved in an accident and your caravan is found to be overweight, you could lose your vehicle and van insurance.
That's why De Ath's advice is clear: get your caravan weighed to determine its legal and safe limits.
Specific standards and regulations for towing a caravan must be followed in Australia.
These include properly securing your load, adhering to licence restrictions, maintaining a safe distance from other caravans on the road, and not exceeding 100km per hour.
It is crucial to follow your vehicle manufacturer's safety guidelines, including the maximum weight limits in the owner’s manual.
