Reasons to Have Your Vehicle Maintained Before Towing a Caravan
Exploring the terrains of Australia with a caravan in tow is an adventure to undertake! However‚ it’s absolutely vital to make sure that your vehicle is in condition before setting off on your journey.
Getting your vehicle serviced before towing isn’t for maintenance purposes. It’s also crucial for safety‚ performance‚ and compliance, with laws and regulations. When towing a caravan‚ your vehicle faces strains and stresses‚ so overlooking a tow service could lead to unnecessary risks or breakdown situations. It’s crucial, for the following reasons.
Putting pressure on your vehicle
When you tow a caravan behind your vehicle it adds weight and resistance that impacts every component of the vehicle. The extra weight puts pressure on the engine and transmission systems of your vehicle which may cause transmission issues if the vehicle is not properly maintained.
When you’re hauling a caravan behind your vehicle and need to hit the brakes to stop it, quickly it becomes a bigger a task due to the added weight of the caravan and puts strain on your braking system as a whole compared to just stopping your vehicle alone in regular conditions. Of course, there are mandatory electric braking systems to assist in safely braking your rig but there are still huge forces at play
When towing a caravan, it’s important to check the suspension and tires beforehand, as they help support the weight of the load effectively. A towing-focused inspection can reveal worn-out or faulty components that might not withstand the pressures of the added weight. This is crucial since the rear suspension, bearings, differentials and tyres are subjected to strain while towing.
When a vehicle carries weight it impacts how stable the car feels when turning or navigating corners at at higher speeds. When dealing with windy weather conditions, particularly cross winds, the suspension or steering systems need to be properly maintained and a lack of maintenance or excess wear will cause a loss of handling control.
Compulsory Electric Trailer Brake System
According to regulations, Trailers and caravans over 750 kg need brakes as regular vehicle brakes can’t manage the weight of a car carrying a heavy caravan together effectively. The electric braking systems link to the vehicle’s brake system for braking between the car and the caravan. It’s essential to have a well-maintained braking system and a working electric brake controller for safety and control while traveling.
Not ensuring that your electric braking system is properly maintained not endangers you but could also lead to penalties and fines for not meeting standards.
Vehicle Weight Management (VWM). Maximum Towing Capacities
The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) represents the load your vehicle can bear – encompassing its weight along, with passengers and cargo well as the tow ball weight of a caravan attached to it.
It’s crucial to adhere to the GVM limit for each vehicle; surpassing this limit leads to increased strain on your vehicle and may void insurance coverage or lead to penalties.
Exceeding the GVM also poses safety hazards such, as brake malfunction, suspension issues and tyre blowouts.
The team at Automotive Insight is experienced in GVM upgrades for Toyota Prado, Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Tritan and Pajero.
Call Us Now (08) 9381 1151 for more information on GVM upgrades
Make sure to follow the towing capacity recommended by your vehicles manufacturer and stay within the limits specified for the Gross Combination Mass (GCM) which refers to the weight of your vehicle and caravan combined according to laws to avoid straining your engine and other components, like the transmission and brakes. Your vehicle should have a pre-tow service to prevent mechanical issues if these limits are exceeded.
Maintenance of Cooling Mechanisms
Towing a caravan with your vehicle puts demands on its cooling system. Towing can lead to overheating of the engine and automatic gearbox during uphill journeys.
Our technicians can also fit after-market oil coolers for automatic gearboxes
When you bring your towing vehicle in for a service, we will check the coolant levels, pressure test your radiator and thoroughly check the overall condition of the cooling system to ensure everything is working well.
It’s also important to have a look, at the engine oils, transmission fluids and brake fluids during this time to make sure they are at levels or replaced as needed. These fluids are crucial, in reducing friction and heat buildup while towing.
Avoiding Surprising Malfunctions
Keeping your vehicle in top condition reduces the chances of breakdown during a journey especially when towing a caravan in isolated areas where help might be scarce or costly.
One of the most common causes of breakdowns is the often overlooked power transfer belts for power steering, water pump and AC compressors
Having your vehicle serviced with Automotive Insight before embarking on a trip will help avoid roadside breakdowns. Fix any problems ahead of time preventing them from escalating into expensive and troublesome situations.
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Before embarking on your caravan trip, make sure to schedule a service with us for a thorough and all-encompassing inspection and service for your towing vehicle.
This will ensure that your vehicle is in top-notch condition and provide you with a sense of reassurance and peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is primed and prepared for the road ahead and ready to tow without any hitches.
