05 May Stay Safe When Towing a Caravan in the Rain
Sometimes the weather can be unpredictable, especially if you live in Victoria. One minute it can be a balmy be 26cº, sunny, and blue skies, and the next minute it’s bucketing down with rain. While it doesn’t matter if you’re in the comfort of your home, it can be detrimental to those on the road. Planning ahead before heading out on your next adventure, is essential to ensuring that you remain safe on the road.
In this blog, the service team at Pattos have provided their top tips to staying safe during the wet weather, and what you can do prior to heading off to best prepare for any situation.
1. Check your tyres
Before you head off, Dicko recommends taking a look at your tyres. Your tyres are the only point of contact with the road, so they must be in top condition. Even small damage, like a missing chunk of rubber, can affect performance and increase the risk of a blowout. Before towing your RV in the rain, inspect each tyre for visible damage.
- The legal minimum tread depth is 1.5mm, however, in wet conditions deeper tread provides much better grip.
- Check tyre pressure on both your motor vehicle and RV to ensure they are at the correct levels.
- If your tyres show signs of wear, replace them before your trip.
To read a tyre age code, look for a four-digit number on the tyre sidewall, typically within a small oval. The first two digits represent the week of the year the tyre was manufactured, and the last two digits represent the year. For example, a code of “2422” means the tyre was manufactured in the 24th week of 2022.
Decoding the Code:
- Four-digit code: This code is the key to determining the tyre’s age, particularly for tyres manufactured after 2000.
- First two digits (WW): These indicate the week of the year the tyre was manufactured. For instance, “24” means the 24th week.
- Last two digits (YY): These represent the year of manufacture. For example, “22” indicates 2022.
Example: - A tyre with the code “0517” was manufactured in the 5th week of 2017.
Important Note: - Tyres are typically recommended to be inspected after five years of age: regardless of tread depth, due to the natural ageing of rubber.
- Older tyres have an increased risk of blowing out, cracking, or delaminating .
- Tyres manufactured before 2000 may have a different coding system.
2. Check you brakes and lights
Along with the tyres, Dicks also recommends checking your braking system. This will reduce the risk of skidding, while properly working lights improve visibility for other drivers. Before leaving, test your motor vehicle’s brakes as well as the caravan’s braking system to ensure they respond smoothly. If there’s any delay or pulling to one side, check immediately.
3. Check hatches and seals
Tooley, says water can seep into places you may not even be able to think of. The main places we see water damage is near the doors, windows, and hatches. Before you set off check all seals for cracks or wear. If seals look worn, come down to Patto’s RV Centre in Geelong where we can help replace them before your trip to prevent any leaks. Run water over doors and windows to test for any weak points. Catching leaks early prevents water damage and mould growth inside your caravan.
4. Slow down and take your time
Wet roads make it easier to lose control, especially at high speeds. Tooley says hydroplaning occurs when the tyres slide across surface water rather than gripping the roads, leading to a dangerous loss of control so aim to:
- Reduce speed by 10-20 km p/h below the posted limit.
- Avoid sudden braking; instead, slow down before the corners.
- Keep movements slow and controlled to prevent skidding.
5. Be aware of standing water
Large puddles and water-filled potholes can cause your caravan to sway or lose traction. Adam suggests if you spot standing water ahead, reduce speed before reaching it and drive through steadily. Avoid suddenly braking or turning, as this can cause the caravan to slide. If the water looks deep, steer around it when possible.
6. Avoid crossing flowing water
Ron explains that even shallow, fast-moving water can be stronger than it looks! Towing a caravan in the rain and floodwaters can be extremely dangerous and can result in a loss of control. If water is flowing across the road, turn back and find an alternate route. Never assume a road is safe just because other vehicles have crossed.
7. Avoid camping near waterways
Flash floods can happen with little warning, turning a peaceful campsite into a dangerous situation. Ron recommends setting up camp on higher ground is always the safest option. Avoid low-lying areas near rivers, creeks, or flood-prone zones.
If you get stuck in muddy conditions, lowering your motor vehicles and caravan’s tyre pressure to 20 psi can provide enough traction to drive out. Reducing pressure increases surface area contact, helping tyres grip softer ground more effectively and helping you out of murky situations when towing a caravan in the rain.
Final tips for a safe journey when towing a caravan in the rain
Being prepared makes towing a caravan in the rain much safer. Checking your tyres, brakes, and lights before departure helps prevent accidents, while driving at a slower speed and avoiding sudden movements improves control on wet roads. Staying aware of standing water, maintaining a steady pace, and making careful decisions can keep your trip smooth.
Patto’s RV Centre provides experieced RV servicing to ensure your setup is road-ready for any weather. Plan ahead, drive carefully, and enjoy your adventure, rain, hail, or shine!