As a Queensland-based trailer parts supplier, our team frequently encounters avoidable caravan breakdowns and roadside emergencies. Queensland Road Safety Week 2024 is focusing on working together to keep our roads safe.
Couplemate™ believes the best way we can help is by sharing our knowledge from over 20 years of experience.
Towing Caravans on Queensland Roads
Our roads are busier since the pandemic as more Australian families holiday with caravans and campers. While this has been great for local tourism, it also means that roadside breakdowns and emergencies are now more common.
Whether you’re outside of Yeppoon, heading into Burketown, or just leaving Proserpine, it’s important to practice safe towing no matter how quiet the road seems.
Read this statement from the QLD Government:
“Between 2018 and 2022, there were 65 lives lost and 1197 hospitalisations from road crashes involving a light passenger vehicle towing a trailer (source).”
Three tips to remember:
- Merging can be difficult when towing a caravan. You’ll need extra space to enter traffic safely.
- If there’s a large truck looking to overtake you, gently slow down as it can cause your caravan to sway.
- Reduce strain on your caravan electric brakes when going downhill by engine braking.
Off-Road Towing in Outback Queensland
“How’s the serenity? …So much serenity.”
Many caravanners want a reprieve from the hustle-and-bustle of city life. Whether you’re headed to the Gulf Savannah or Porcupine Gorge, the appeal of caravanning in outback Queensland is that it’s quiet, calm, and serene.
However, unsealed dirt and uneven roads create difficult driving conditions. Let’s look at this video from the QLD Police:
This video is important for all caravan and camper trailer owners to see. Within the first 15 seconds of the video, the dash cam footage shows the:
- Corrugation and general unevenness of rural roads.
- Lack of signage / visual distinction between the left and right lanes.
- Speed in which your vision can go from clear to cloudy.
- Instant consequences of not driving to conditions.
You can see how much momentum the Ute towing a trailer transfers onto the car with the dash cam.
Without going into the specifics of momentum (or conservation of momentum), it’s important to remember it’s harder to stop a vehicle that’s towing a trailer. Moreover, it’s even harder on unsealed roads.
Three off-road towing tips:
- Steer smoothly and steer gently given the impact of cross-winds, passing vehicles, and corrugation.
- Be extra, extra generous with the stopping distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
- Consider upgrading your caravan to electric off-road brakes for longer brake life on uneven roads.
Queensland Caravans Need Strong Parts
Caravans are only as strong as their weakest component.
Whether it’s your caravan wheel bearings or your leaf springs, it’s important that the replacement parts you choose are strong and fit for the job.
As an Australian manufacture, it’s important to us that ALL our parts ensure strength, reliability, and safety. If you’re not sure what you need, feel free to get in touch with our Queensland team.
If you’re looking for high-quality spare parts, explore our Core Range of towing and caravan parts.
Resources to Learn More
- QLD Road Safety Week: www.streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/queensland-road-safety-week-2024
- Caravan Part Compliance: www.qld.gov.au/transport/vehicle-safety/towing/towing-equipment
- Safe Towing: www.qld.gov.au/transport/vehicle-safety/towing/towing-vehicles-and-trailers
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