Caravanning is an enjoyable way to see Victoria and Australia however, there are some very important rules to learn so you can drive and return safely.

This section has information about registering your caravan, keeping it roadworthy and tips on towing safely.

Registering your van
Your caravan needs to be registered. Before towing an unregistered caravan anywhere, you should obtain an unregistered vehicle permit from a VicRoads office.

To register your van, you need to make an appointment with a VicRoads office. See: trailer registration.

Before taking your caravan to be registered, check the vehicle standards information sheets Trailer Registration Requirements (PDF 882KB) and Roadworthiness Requirements (PDF 1,638KB) .

If registration requirements are met, VicRoads will issue you with a number plate and you'll need to pay a yearly registration fee.

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Condition of your van
As with all vehicles on Victoria's roads, your caravan needs to be in roadworthy condition. It is important that you check that the:

• coupling and safety chains are in good condition;
• brakes and external lights work correctly;
• wheels, tyres, wheel bearings and the suspension are in good condition, especially if the caravan has been sitting idle for some time;
• tyres are of the same type and size and have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm;
• tyre placard has the recommended tyre size, load rating and tyre pressures.

   

You should also ensure your caravan has a yearly service by a mechanic.

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Suitable towing vehicles
Not all cars are suitable for towing a caravan. You should ensure that your towing vehicle has enough power to tow your caravan.

Towbars are available to suit various loads. Towbar retailers or vehicle manufacturers can advise on suitable towbars for the type and weight of your caravan.

Some vehicle manufacturers also offer 'tow packs', which may include load distributing hitches, to improve the towing ability of their various models.

Load distributing hitches increase the towing capacity of vehicles, as they transfer the load from the rear of the vehicle to the front, distributing weight evenly to all wheels for safer towing. More information on load distributing hitches is available in Towing Trailers (PDF 71KB).



Pictured is a weight distributing hitch. Photo courtesy of Hayman Reese.

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Vehicle Condition
It is important that your towing vehicle has a full service and engine tune to ensure it is in good mechanical condition. This includes checking that:

• the wheels, tyres, steering, suspension and brakes are in good condition;
• the battery is in good condition and fully charged;
• all lights and reflectors are clean and working correctly;
• the windscreen wipers are working properly and the windscreen washer bottle is full.

   

It is important to have adequate rear vision when the caravan is attached. Depending on the width of the caravan, you may need to fit extension mirrors to the towing vehicle. Extension mirrors are available from most caravan retailers and auto shops.

Visibility is also improved by ensuring that the windscreen is clean both inside and outside and that objects or stickers that obstruct your view are removed.

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Regulations
As well as having a registered and roadworthy caravan and towing vehicle, owners need to be aware of load limits.

Under no circumstances should the total mass of the loaded caravan exceed the lesser of:

• the maximum mass as specified by the caravan manufacturer;
• the towing limits recommended by the towing vehicle’s manufacturer; or
• the rating of the towbar.

   

Exceeding these limits is illegal and can also void both mechanical warranties and insurance cover. More information on towing weights is specified in Towing Trailers (PDF 71KB).

Further regulations also prevent:

• anything to be towed behind the caravan;
• anyone riding in the caravan while it's in motion;
• towbar equipment obstructing the vehicle number plate when the caravan has been disconnected.

   

If you are travelling interstate with your caravan, check individual State or jurisdiction regulations with the relevant authority, before you leave.

Only a standard driver licence is required to tow a caravan. P-platers can tow caravans but L-platers cannot.

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Tips for towing
Towing a trailer will alter the way the car performs. Caravans increase the fuel consumption of your car, decrease its acceleration and braking ability, and can affect a vehicle’s general control. It's wise to practise with short trips before you attempt a long journey.

To improve your safety and that of fellow road users when towing a caravan:

• Pay particular attention when accelerating and braking, especially when approaching corners.
• Leave more distance than usual between yourself and the vehicle in front, and allow plenty of extra time and space if entering traffic.
• Allow more time and distance when overtaking other road users and ensure you are well past them before moving back to the left hand side of the road again.
• Be careful when driving in poor conditions or in high winds, as their impacts are magnified when towing a caravan.
• Where possible, pull over regularly to allow following vehicles to overtake.
• As reversing with a caravan is difficult, where possible drive out forward from a parking spot. When practising reversing, ensure it is done in a safe environment and have someone to guide you.
• Ensure load distributing hitches are set up properly and the load in the caravan is correctly distributed, to reduce the chance of the caravan swaying.
• Swaying is more prone in high winds, particularly side winds, or when passing approaching larger vehicles.
• Keep left to give overtaking vehicles as much space as possible.
• Plan plenty of rest stops to avoid the onset of fatigue - but remember if you are fatigued the only cure is sleep.

  
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