Caravan Towing Test – Check Your Towing Knowledge Now
Whether you're a caravan rookie or a seasoned van lifer, knowing how to tow a caravan safely and efficiently is vital to RV'ing adventures. Doing a caravan quiz will test you on practical techniques and critical safety measures you should know to tow legally and confidently. It can help prevent accidents, give you greater vehicle control, avoid costly repairs and breakdowns, keep other road users safe, and ensure you conform to legal requirements. Our caravan tow test, created by the RV Camping Club Australia, is designed to help you understand the key aspects of towing, from hitching and load balancing to handling your caravan on the open road.
1. What happens if your caravan ball weight is too light?
A. You will go faster and get better fuel economy
B. The caravan/trailer will most likely develop a dangerous sway and can begin snaking
C. The caravan/trailer will be easier to tow
ANSWER: B. If the ball weight is too light, it can cause the caravan or trailer to become unstable, leading to dangerous sway or snaking, especially at higher speeds. Having the correct ball weight is important to maintain stability and safety while towing.
2. What does the GCM (on the tow vehicle) mean?
A. Guaranteed Coupling Mass
B. Granted Coping Method
C. Gross Combination Mass
ANSWER: C. GCM refers to the maximum allowable weight of the tow vehicle and the caravan or trailer combined. It includes the weight of the vehicle itself, any cargo, passengers, and the trailer being towed. It's important not to exceed this limit for safety and legal compliance.
3. What does ATM mean?
A. Average Travelling Mass
B. Australian Tare Mass
C. Aggregate Trailer Mass
D. At The Moment Weight
ANSWER: C. ATM refers to the total weight of the caravan or trailer when it is fully loaded and ready for travel. This includes the weight of the trailer itself plus any cargo and accessories inside. For safety and legal reasons, it's important to stay within the manufacturer's specified ATM.
4. What does ball weight mean?
A. Ball weight (or 'tow ball mass') is the amount of down force exerted by the loaded weight of a trailer on the back of a vehicle.
B. Ball weight is An Estimated Weight Created By The Manufacturer
C. Ball weight is 15% Of The Aggregate Trailer Mass
ANSWER: A. Ball weight refers to the downward force that the trailer exerts on the tow vehicle's tow ball. It's a critical factor for safe towing, as an improperly balanced trailer can affect vehicle stability, braking, and handling. The typical recommended ball weight is around 10-15% of the trailer's total weight (ATM).
5. What does GTM mean?
A. Gross Trailer Mass
B. Guaranteed Trailer Mass
C. General Trailer Mass
ANSWER: A. GTM refers to the trailer's weight when fully loaded, excluding the weight supported by the tow ball (which is accounted for in the ball weight). It's an important measurement to ensure the trailer's weight is within the vehicle's safe towing limits.
6. How do you work out the payload on a caravan?
A. Minus The Tare Weight From The ATM
B. Minus The GTM Weight From The Tare
C. Minus The ATM Weight From The GTM
ANSWER: A. To work out the payload on a caravan, subtract the Tare Weight (the caravan's weight when empty) from the Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM), which is the maximum weight the caravan can legally carry when fully loaded. This gives you the caravan's payload capacity or how much additional weight it can carry.
7. What Does GVM (on the towing vehicle) mean?
A. Gross Vehicle Mass
B. Generous Vehicle Measurement
C. Gross Vehicle Mount
ANSWER: A. GVM refers to the maximum allowable weight of the towing vehicle when fully loaded. This includes passengers, accessories, and everything else your caravan is carrying! It is essential to ensure that the vehicle's GVM is not exceeded for safety and legal compliance while you are towing.
8. Where should the heavy items be stored in your caravan?
A. Under the bed
B. On the rear bumper
C. As close as possible to the axle(s)
ANSWER: C. Heavy items should be stored as close as possible to the caravan's axle (s). This will help maintain proper weight distribution, prevent swaying, and ensure better control and stability. Storing heavy items too far forward or rearward can negatively affect handling and safety.
9. What will doubling your speed (example from 40 - 80) achieve?
A. Improve the handling and braking performance of the caravan/trailer
B. Increase the kinetic energy - and braking distance - by a factor of 4
C. Improve fuel economy (because the trip will take much less time)
ANSWER: B. When you double your speed, the kinetic energy (the energy needed to stop the vehicle) increases by a factor of 4. This means your braking distance will also increase significantly, making it harder to stop in time and potentially more dangerous. Always remember that speed and stopping distance are closely linked, especially when towing.
10. If you see a B-Double approaching (from the front or rear), you should:
A. Immediately give a friendly call to the driver on Channel 40
B. Speed up
C. Maintain speed (in some cases decrease speed), move towards the left, and, if the truck is coming up behind, engage in a two-way conversation.
ANSWER: C. When a B-Double (or any large vehicle) is approaching, especially from behind, it's essential to maintain a safe and steady speed, move to the left to give them more room and be prepared to communicate via 2-way radio if needed for safety. This helps ensure you and the truck driver can navigate safely around each other.
11. When towing a caravan/trailer around a curve, you should:
A. Speed up so that the caravan/trailer will "drift" around the curve better
B. Slow down because of the additional centrifugal force and risk of swaying
C. "Cut the corner" (especially on rough roads) to increase the radius of the curve
ANSWER: B. When towing a caravan or trailer around a curve, it's essential to slow down to maintain control. The additional weight of the caravan creates extra centrifugal force, which can cause the trailer to sway. Slowing down reduces the risk of losing control and helps maintain stability throughout the turn.
12. When towing a caravan/trailer, what is the purpose of extended towing mirrors?
A. They help to slow you down with wind resistance
B. Must be used to obtain a clear field of view along each side of the vehicle
C. You should only put them on when travelling in heavy traffic
ANSWER: B. Extended towing mirrors are necessary when towing a caravan or trailer to ensure that you have a clear view of the road behind and alongside the vehicle. They help you monitor blind spots and improve driving safety, especially when towing larger loads.
13. What is the standard size for a ball coupling?
A. 1 point
B. 50 mm
C. 3.5 cm
D. 60 mm
ANSWER: B. The standard size for a ball coupling (the tow ball) is typically 50 mm in diameter, which is used for most caravans and trailers in Australia and many other countries. This size ensures a secure and stable connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
14. Are brakes required on a caravan?
A. Yes, If the GTM is More Than 749kg
B. No, Brakes Are Optional
C. Only If It Weights More Than 2500 kg's
ANSWER: A. Yes, if the GTM is more than 749kg.
15. When staying in a free camp area, you should:
A. Leave as much rubbish behind as possible to create a job opportunity
B. Leave no trace of you ever being there
C. Empty your black water tank on the local flora
ANSWER: B. When staying in a free camp area, it is essential to follow the principle of "Leave No Trace." This means cleaning up, disposing of all waste properly, and leaving the site as you found it. This helps preserve the environment and ensures that these camp areas remain available and enjoyable for others.
16. What should you do if your caravan starts to sway or snake?
A. Hit the brakes as hard as possible
B. Accelerate as hard as possible
C. Don't panic and don't make any sudden/severe manoeuvres, but gently slow down using the manual override on the break controller
ANSWER: C. If your caravan starts to sway or snake, the key is to stay calm. Do not make sudden movements or brake harshly. Instead, gently apply the manual override on the break controller to slow down gradually. This helps regain control of the vehicle and trailer and reduces the risk of further instability.
17. What happens if caravan/trailer tyre pressures are too high?
A. The trailer will skip and bounce, and the centre of the tread will wear out
B. The caravan will stick to the road better
C. You will get a smoother ride
ANSWER: A. If the tyre pressures are too high, the caravan or trailer can bounce or skip on the road, leading to reduced stability. Additionally, the centre of the tyre tread will wear out more quickly, which can reduce the tyres' lifespan and affect the caravan's overall handling. Always ensure tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure for safe towing.
18. What happens if caravan/trailer tyre pressures are too low?
A. The vehicle will be much lighter because of the lack of air in the tyres
B. The vehicle will sway, and the outer edges of the tread will wear out much quicker
C. The lack of air will make the caravan closer to the road, significantly reducing the air drag
ANSWER: B. If the tyre pressures are too low, the caravan or trailer can sway, making it harder to control. Additionally, low tyre pressure causes the outer edges of the tread to wear out more quickly, reducing tyre lifespan and compromising safety. Always maintain the correct tyre pressure for stability and safety while towing.
19. What is the industry standard for servicing brakes and bearings?
A. Every 10,000 kms
B. Every 20,000 kms
C. When your wheel falls off
ANSWER: A. It's generally recommended that your caravan's brakes and bearings be serviced every 10,000 kilometres (or at least once a year), especially before long trips.
20. The caravan/trailer lamps/lights:
A. Need to be sprayed with WD-40 every day
B. Need to be tapped hard and softly blown if they do not operate reliably
C. Should be checked for correct operation before setting off on a trip
ANSWER: C. Before you begin your trip, it's essential to check that all the caravan or trailer lights, including brake lights, indicators, and tail lights, are functioning properly. This ensures safety on the road and compliance with legal requirements.