What to tow and how to properly load the caravan?

When choosing a trailer, we often focus on the permissible total weight. On the one hand, we have safety in mind, on the other hand, financial penalties during inspections are a deterrent.

The GVM of a caravan , even within the same model, may vary - the larger the reserves, the more luggage and additional equipment it will fit. Let's remember that additional air conditioning, an awning, a vestibule, a grill, personal luggage or even a water supply are additional costs. 200 kg.

In addition to the GVWR, there are several parameters that we should keep in mind if we want to load our vehicles safely. In this material, we will focus on the basics that you, as a beginner caravanning adept, may not have been aware of until now.

How to tow a trailer, i.e. choosing the optimal tow truck

Safe and stress-free driving starts with the right selection of a tow truck. Although the documentation for each passenger car contains the maximum weight of a trailer equipped with a brake, we should treat these values with caution.

As a proven rule (also in many European countries), the weight ratio of the tow truck to the trailer should be 1.33 . The optimal weight of a trailer equipped with an overrun brake can be calculated by dividing the tow vehicle's GVM by the above value.

It is also worth emphasizing that most manufacturers, according to the latest standard specifies the maximum permissible trailer weight at a slope of up to 12%. You should keep this in mind when going on holiday trips to mountainous areas.

The tow truck's drive is also of great importance in terms of traction - front-wheel drive is not optimal due to the weight distribution and may lead to surprises and wheel spinning. The rear drive will certainly work well in the summer, but in winter conditions the front may slip away. If we are serious about long journeys, it is definitely worth investing in an all-wheel drive.

Engine power is also of great importance. Even larger currently produced vans and muscular-looking boulevard SUVs may have ultra-economical engines adapted to stringent exhaust emission standards under the hood. Often, these are even 3-cylinder engines, definitely too weak to function as a tow truck.

Another rule may be of some help: the maximum permissible mass of the team in relation to the power of the tow truck is determined by adding the GVW of the vehicle and trailer and then dividing this value by the power expressed in horsepower. The value obtained should not exceed 37 kg per HP. In addition to power, torque is of course also important.

One of the suitable cars for towing a trailer will be a Land Rover Discovery or Defender due to the appropriate engine power, torque and curb weight of the vehicle.

We are packing the trailer

We already have a properly matched tug. What's next? Remember that the actual weight of the trailer is the sum of the load on the axle/axles and the drawbar (hitch). In the vast majority of trailers, the maximum permissible load on the hitch is specified on the rating plate. It usually weighs approximately 100 kg.

Remember to get as close to this value as possible when loading. There are many products available on the market that help check this parameter - it may be a scale integrated with the maneuvering wheel or a separate scale .

Useful tips when loading

Our advice:

• the heaviest things (e.g. vestibule frame) should find a place in the tow truck,
• remember to secure heavy items well and place them at the bottom as close to the axle as possible.
  Unsecured heavy elements can easily damage furniture and the floor, and when moving, they can also change the center of gravity and lead to loss of control over the harness!
• Place light items in upper cabinets, remembering to properly secure them against falling out.
• avoid putting weight on the rear of the trailer to prevent the rear end from crawling. It is definitely better to place, for example, a bicycle rack on an additional ball hitch on the drawbar than on the rear wall of the trailer.
• try to maintain an equal weight ratio not only front-rear, but also left-right (if the water tank and battery are on the left, try to place heavier items on the right side of the axle),
• if the axle load is too high, first remember about the contents of the front locker - it is worth considering whether we need 2 gas cylinders in the summer (getting rid of one classic steel cylinder means weight savings of up to 20 kg).

Remember that wise load distribution will help us avoid unpleasant surprises!