Things to be aware of before taking a caravan break this easter

As the Easter break approaches, many people may consider taking their caravan for an outing to enjoy a holiday in the country. It’s a popular way to travel and enjoy the great outdoors, without the fuss of hotel rooms and peak bank holiday prices.

With the prospects of warmer weather, chocolate eggs, and hot-cross buns on the horizon, it’s important not to get too carried away by the festivities and neglect some important road rules.

Rule 98 of the Highway Code emphasises that before you decide to set off on your journey, you must ensure that both your caravan, and the vehicle which you intend to tow it with are legal and road-worthy.

There must be suitable mirrors attached to your car if the view of the road is obstructed by the caravan. If your vehicle is more narrow than your caravan or trailer, you must install towing mirrors so you can see your rearward view.

It is also important to check that the brakes and lights on your caravan are working properly. You should make sure that everything is in full order and allow for extra stopping distances as you will be driving a larger vehicle on the road.

The maximum sentence you could receive for having faulty brakes is 3 penalty points and an unlimited fine.

If the roads are getting quite busy, Rule 169 advises that you should make an effort not to hold up traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow moving vehicle. If necessary, you should pull over to allow other holiday-goers and traffic to pass.

The Highway code emphasises the importance of ensuring that your tyres are road-worthy and inflated correctly. Cars and light trailers must have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. Larger vehicles must have a tread depth of at least 1 mm across three-quarters of the breadth of the tread, and in a continuous band around the entire circumference.

It is also important to check the tyre pressure before your journey when it is cold outside rather than warm, so as to avoid a misleading reading, which could affect your braking system’s efficiency.

Under the sentencing guidelines, if your tyres are found to be defective, the maximum sentence you could receive is 3 penalty points per tyre and an unlimited fine.

To avoid being a road hazard, your caravan should be safely secured to your vehicle and a secondary coupling device, such as a safety chain, should be installed to avoid any issues whilst driving. Also make sure any bikes, surfboards, or extra luggage are securely fastened!

If the condition of the vehicle, accessories like mirrors, or equipment pose a risk of injury, you could find yourself with a charge for using your vehicle in a dangerous condition under section 40A(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. For this, you can expect to receive 3 points on your licence and up to an unlimited fine. So it’s definitely worth it to check your equipment carefully.

According to the DVLA, the length and width of the caravan must fall within the parameters of what is permitted to be towed on UK roads. The maximum length, including the drawbar, is 7 metres for a vehicle that can weigh up to 3,500kg whilst the maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.

It’s also important to consider how much you’re bringing on your holiday and how you’re storing all those suitcases. The vehicle maintenance annex of the Highway Code emphasises that extra attention is needed when a vehicle is heavily loaded and that items of luggage must be securely stowed. It is also important according to rule 98, that everything is distributed evenly.

Therefore, you should be wary of attaching lots of heavy bags to your roof or filling your caravan to the brim with all your holiday gear in case you exceed the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of your vehicle when on the road.

The MAM, also known as the ‘gross vehicle weight’ (GVW), is the maximum weight that your car is allowed to carry according to the DVLA, which includes passengers and luggage. This also includes the weight of the caravan when it’s fully loaded. The MAM of a car will vary depending on the vehicle and can typically be found in the vehicle’s documentation or the owner’s manual as specified by the manufacturer.

You might also find this on a plate or sticker attached to your car or caravan.

How much you can tow will depend on when you passed your driving test:

• If you passed before 1st January 1997 – you can drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of 8,250kg MAM
• If you passed on or after 1st January 1997 – you can tow a trailer of up to 3,500kg MAM

If you overload your vehicle or go beyond the prescribed axle limit, you could find yourself with an unlimited fine.

If you exceed the maximum weight limit or distribute the load in a manner that could be seen as hazardous with a risk of injury, you could be charged with ‘using a vehicle in a dangerous condition’ under section 40A(d) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This can carry 3 penalty points as well as an unlimited fine.

So before you set off, check that your vehicle can safely and legally carry all of your luggage; perhaps consider removing a couple of boxes of Easter eggs if you’re tight on space.

In conclusion, caravan holidays are an enviable in-country getaway for those who love the great outdoors and want to avoid the hustle and bustle of busier Easter destinations. To make the most out of your long weekend, it is important to keep an eye on essential vehicle maintenance and ensure that your towing vehicle and caravan are within the parameters of what is road-legal. With these extra precautions, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable Easter holiday for yourself and others.