Superintendent Shane Johnson says police can initiate a roadside stop of a vehicle towing a caravan, and warns not adhering to towing laws can also lead to penalties including significant fines, demerit points, and potential legal liabilities, and invalid insurance.

“Holidays in caravans are meant to create lifetime memories, not lifetime injuries, or worse,” he said.

South Australia Police say road users do not need a special licence for towing a caravan if the combined mass of your car and the loaded caravan is within the limits of a standard car licence. A standard South Australian Class C car licence allows you to drive a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonnes.

But it says is it key to plan for a safe caravan journey, and ‘know before you tow’. Here are a few pointers for safer towing:

• Research your vehicle’s towing capacity – don’t rely on guesswork and assumptions
• Pack the vehicle and caravan to distribute weight correctly – load heavy items low and close to the axle, and avoid overloading the rear or roof
• Never carry any passengers inside a caravan being towed – it’s not safe or worth the risk of injury in an accident
• Inspect the caravan – check that tyres, brakes, lights, and mirrors are all in good working condition
• Drive smoothly – apply accelerator, brakes, and steering gently to avoid sway.

For more information on towing, click here

• When was the last time you checked your rig’s weight? Comment below.