Thread: Never towed/owned a caravan before.. advice

Nice looking van.

Originally Posted by Lukeis

My link works but says access denied for some reason

Use the "Link" button in the toolbar above the posting window and you can have any title you want.

Getting to know your setup is also important if you’re just starting out....

1st never believe the tare weight on the plate....good chance your van is heavier at time of pickup.

Track down a weigh bridge and weigh your van, if the weigh bridge isn’t busy do your tow ball weight as well buy dropping the jockey wheel onto the weigh bridge with the landy off the bridge and lift the hitch off the tow ball.

Than when you have loaded the van with everything you’d like to take including full tank of water take it over the weigh bridge.

If you landy is decked out for touring with rear wheel carrier, draws, fridges etc it’s also handy to have a rough idea of your axle weights.

Probably sounds a bit daunting and a high percentage of owner never check their weights.

Excellent advice from Weeds above. Just looking at the published figures you only have the capacity to add 300 odd kgs to that van before reaching the GVM. By the time you foll gas bottles, water tanks, add clothing and bedding, and stock the fridge, there won't be a lot left.
When you get it loaded and weighed, do a short trip or two before starting the big lap. Get any issues, minor or major, sorted before the big trip starts.
Enjoy! !

Lots of people on here tow with a D4,, I would think all the specific D4 questions would be answered by now,, just need a bit of research

Parking it on a hill??
mines not steep by any means,, and common sense will tell you if its possible.....
Even on a slight incline the first time you do it

I use a chock under all four wheels,(knocked into the tyre, a club hammer is good for this)
leave the chains ON,
disconnect electrics.
use the jockey wheel to lift it off the coupling, (can you guys drop the car?)
cringe,
wait till the van has settled on the chocks,
undo chains, drive off
level the van.
If its staying put for a while I use a chassis stand instead of a jockey wheel.
reversal is easy with two people,, (due to driveshaft handbrake and space between tyres its harder by yourself ,,)

Hi Lukeis, if your trailer’s GTM exceeds 2 tons, with a NSW rego, you will need an In-Cab Breakaway Battery Monitor.


If you do need one, PM me as I make a Wireless Breakaway Battery Monitor, certified for use in NSW.

Thanks for the heads up, Ill do some research now.

I couldn’t find them on your website, how much are they?

There are companies doing a driver training course , teaching people to reverse , turn etc .Good value as friend did them in Melbourne after husband had a stroke and couldnt drive,so teach the other members in the family (lucky having a bit of land all my family can hook up and reverse the van)