With caravan accidents still frighteningly common, a growing focus is being put on ensuring grey nomads and others are fully aware of the correct way to have their rigs set up as they hit the open road.
In NSW, Leeton Shire is once again offering free road safety and caravanning advice at its next caravan weighing day to be held on August 15.
Leeton Shire Council and Transport for NSW will co-host the caravan weighing day with ‘Complete Weight Check’ to educate caravanners about correctly calculating their caravan’s weight, how to load their caravan and tow vehicle for even weight distribution, safe driving tips while towing, and ways to reduce the risk of being involved in a crash.
Leeton Shire Council Road Safety Officer, Ashlee Hayllar, said that as caravanning grows in popularity, so does the need to ensure caravans are being operated safely.
When was the last time you had your rig weighed? PIC: Leeton Shire
“Simple things like adding a toolbox or barbecue to the van, popping a kayak on the roof or travelling with full water tanks can cause the caravan, tow vehicle or combination to become overweight or non-compliant and may increase the risk of a crash,” Mrs Hayllar said. “An incorrectly loaded caravan can lead to snaking, swaying or loss of control of your caravan and vehicle.”
She said the day could offer vital tips that could save lives.
“Driving while towing a caravan is a different experience to normal driving and requires a higher level of knowledge and skill, a need for greater stopping distances, and consideration of environmental factors such as high winds, wet roads and uneven surfaces,” Mrs Hayllar said. “As part of our free weighing day, owners can learn the actual aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of their caravan, actual gross trailer mass (GTM), actual gross vehicle mass (GVM), actual ball weight and actual gross combination mass (GCM) of their caravan and vehicle.”
Bookings for the caravan weighing day can be made here.
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Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win one of two fantastic VoltX LiFePO4 Battery systems, with a combined value of nearly $2,500.
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WIN PRODUCE POD PRIZES
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win one of four fabulous prizes from Produce Pod, the company which offers travellers an ingenious way to keep their veggies fresh for longer without overloading the fridge.
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Click here to learn more about the competition.
Does anyone know if you can get booked for GOING to see what your weights are? I mean…how else do you know?
You should be able to prove that you are on your way to do it.
Lots of caravans being towed in WA without towing mirrors. Your caravan weight is with full water tanks. If you tow without water in your tanks you must reduce your load as if you are carrying full tanks.
I weighed my van when I got it on a free weigh bridge, and it was under.