While the debate about whether towing courses should become mandatory for caravanners rumbles on, a growing number of grey nomads are taking the bull by the horns and just taking one before hitting the road.
And most, like Chris and Julie Neech, are incredibly glad they did. Before they began their five-year odyssey around the country, the couple decided that it just made sense for then to brush up on their skills and enjoy the peace of mind that that increased competence would give them.
“Julie had never towed a trailer let alone a caravan before that,” said Chris. “The course gave her confidence to get behind the wheel of our setup.”
The course they did was conducted over two days.
Julie reversing the caravan during the couple’s towing course.
“The first morning was general theory, weight and loading of caravan and tow vehicle, and various techniques for road management when towing,” said Chris. “We learnt about equipment such as mirrors, trailer/caravan brake control systems, and the differences and advantages of Weight Distribution Hitches and Anti Sway Bars.”
The first afternoon and the second day were taken up with practical skills, with both the tow vehicle and caravan fully loaded.
“The afternoon started with how to hitch the caravan, moving on to general vehicle control whilst towing, and driving through a course laid out between witches’ hats,” said Chris. “Then there were braking techniques and car/ caravan control on the skid pan at varying speeds under wet and dry conditions; and we learnt techniques and tricks for reversing the caravan, and how to guide a driver from outside the vehicle.”
The final practical was a drive around the town with the instructor seated in the passenger seat providing guidance.
As well as the skills they acquired, Chris says the other big win from taking the accredited course was receiving a discount on their insurance premiums.
Sadly, after five years of caravanning around Australia, the couple’s towing days were brought to a premature end at the end of last year by a fire which destroyed their tow vehicle.
Although they managed to save their caravan from the blaze, the couple decided it was a logical time to switch to a motorhome … and they have no regrets.
“Driving the motorhome is very relaxing compared to towing,” said Chris. “And fuel economy is so good, and insurance costs are less, and rego is less.”
Chris and Julie now carry two foldable electric bikes to get around when they’ve set the motorhome up, but say it only actually takes about 10 to 15 minutes to break camp if they want to go somewhere in the motorhome.
And Chris doesn’t feel like a motorhome overly restricts the places they can go.
“When you look at all the roads which are being sealed, the Cape is supposed to be nearly all sealed by 2030, well to Weipa, it should be,” he said. “Broome to Cape Leveque is now sealed, and there is a road upgrade from Perth through to Alice which is supposed to be sealed by 2030 … so we aren’t missing out on much.”
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I’ve never done a caravan towing course but I’ve towed a caravan 170,000kms over the past 15 years without a problem.
Previous to that I towed an 18ft half cabin fibreglass boat for 30 years.
Having backed down hundreds of different launching ramps with my boat I’ve never had a problem manoeuvring my caravan.
Be interested to know what are the suppliers charging for a towing course. & are they nationally accredited?
Never bothered taking one and never will. Spent years driving trucks so I think I learnt enough doing that
Whilst I am wholeheartedly in agreeance with an accredited towing course, I have yet to see a nationally accredited course for this training as yet. I noticed the reporter is telling us it’s accredited but I am still sceptical.
To obtain any ticket for a piece of equipment & to be nationally accredited it is supposed to be through a RTO.