Technical Information
Do your research first before you buy your tow vehicle and Caravan or RV!!
DO’S and DON’TS – YOUR DUE DILIGENCE!
Before you go out and buy a tow vehicle and or an RV (of any type), please do yourself a favour and reduce the stress in your life by carrying out some thorough research first......read on please!
It’s a shame that many new people to the caravanning lifestyle don’t do their Due Diligence (THOROUGH RESEARCH) before they either buy the intended Tow Vehicle and/or the intended Caravan or RV to suit their REAL travelling needs.
I’ve seen this happen far too many times before where unsuspecting people have received either the wrong advice or either gone out and bought a brand new or used tow vehicle or Caravan /RV without knowing what they really expect out of their caravanning experience ‘over the long haul’. What generally happens is that either; the newly acquired tow vehicle cannot legally tow the caravan they wish to purchase ….or alternatively……they have just gone out and bought a Caravan /RV that is too heavy for their existing tow vehicle or the tow vehicle they really want!
ANSWER THESE THREE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY A CARAVAN/RV OR TOW VEHICLE
- What is the TOW VEHICLE that will legally be able to tow the Caravan / RV that I really want?
- What do I expect out of my Caravan / RV … on the way to my destination, and what do I expect out of my Caravan / RV … once I have arrived at my destination? This will ensure you select the appropriate Caravan / RV features suitable to your intended APPLICATION!
- Finally, once you have answered the above questions with thorough research…. make sure you stay within your BUDGET. It’s OK to maybe start with a “wish list of features and accessory items” …. and work back from there. But be realistic!!
Once you have answered the above questions – you are ready to buy your tow Vehicle and Caravan / RV to suit your needs and application.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW A CARAVAN / RV - TERMINOLOGY
For a clear and simple explanation on what the following terms mean please refer to the RVMAA's owners handbook and refer to pages 57 and 58.
- TARE WEIGHT - This is the total and overall weight of the Caravan / RV when it is unloaded without all your ‘travelling goodies!’ This reading is stamped on your Vehicle Identification Plate. This weight DOES NOT INCLUDE any liquids in or on the Caravan / RV – such as; LPG bottles, Water Tanks, Hot Water System. The Caravan Manufacturer must by Law have engraved or stamped this figure on your VIP.
- BALL WEIGHT – This is the weight that is imparted over the jockey wheel / Tow Ball when the Caravan / RV is UNLOADED and also when FULLY LOADED (with all your ‘travelling goodies’). It is critical that you do not exceed the Tow Vehicle Manufacturers guidelines. Refer to the current Tow Vehicle Guide – and not what the Salesman tells you. There is NO INSURANCE on your Caravan / RV if you exceed this figure. Ignorance is no excuse with the Law! This figure is also stamped on your VIP.
- GROSS TOWABLE MASS - This is the MINIMUM legal amount of weight that your Caravan / RV must be able to tow as specified by Law. DUAL AXLE Caravans / RV’s MUST HAVE A MINIMUM LIMIT OF 400kg of weight the caravan must be able to carry, whereas – SINGLE AXLE Caravans / RV’s MUST HAVE A MINIMUM LIMIT OF 300kg of weight the caravan must be able to carry, and some RV’s including toy-haulers and 5th Wheelers can have in excess of 500kg.This figure must also be stamped on your VIP. If your Caravan / RV does not meet all three criteria as listed above – your Caravan / RV MAY NOT BE REGISTERED IN CERTAIN STATES and or TERRITORIES…… again, this means that if you have an accident (even if it’s not your fault) you will NOT BE COVERED BY INSURANCE!!
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