Tips for Driving With a Caravan

Driving Tips · Posted by: Mobile Tyres 2 U · 8th August 2022

During the pandemic, thousands of Brits up and down the country discovered just how fun caravanning can be. You have a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room, all on wheels – and you can go anywhere! It’s a really liberating thing to just set off on a road trip with all the amenities you need to live comfortably right behind you.

But driving with a caravan isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, which is why the Mobile Tyres 2 U team have decided that, this month, we will be providing some tips to make your trip go as smoothly as possible.

Caravan with camping chairs by a lake in the mountains

Do I need a different sort of licence to tow a caravan?

As of late 2021, all drivers who hold a regular driving licence will be able to tow trailers/caravans up to a weight of 3,500 kilograms, without having to take an additional test.

So the good news is you can get towing your caravan right away without worrying about any restrictions!

Caravan towing tips

The most important thing that you need to do when driving with a caravan is to give yourself as much time and space as possible. Your vehicle is now much longer and more unwieldy than it was before, so you’re going to need to take this into account when taking corners, parking and when you’re driving behind other motorists.
As a rule, never drive quicker than 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways. While you may be capable of going quicker, you will have much less control than you do usually, so your braking ability will suffer.
You shouldn’t, under any circumstances, allow passengers in your caravan when you’re towing it. This is very dangerous and could land you with a fine.
Ideally, you want to have your caravan as light as possible. But if you do need to pack it full of stuff, we recommend making sure that the heavier objects are lower down and near the axles. If your caravan is top heavy, then it will be more susceptible to tipping over!
If your trailer weighs over 750 kilograms, then it must have a working brake system. If you’re not sure how much your trailer weighs, we recommend you find out before your next trip.
Given that your vehicle’s registration plate will be hidden, your caravan must display it instead, and make sure that it’s illuminated so it can be seen at night too.
Just like you would do with your actual car, you need to inspect your caravan’s tyres before you set off on your trip and inflate them if necessary. If you think they could do with replacing, call a reputable tyre fitter like Mobile Tyres 2 U who will be able to help.

Mobile Tyres 2 U is a leading tyre fitter that operates in Watford, High Wycombe and the surrounding areas. We specialise in complete convenience and offer a completely mobile service, so no matter where you are in the region, we can come to you and fit your tyres.