Got a burning caravanning question? Ask one of our team on the email address below!
Sarah Wakely
Editor
sarah@practicalcaravan.com
Paul Critcher
Deputy editor
paul.critcher@futurenet.com
Peter Baber
Reviews editor
peter.baber@futurenet.com
David Motton
Tow car editor
motty@practicalcaravan.com
John Sootheran
Consulting editor
practical.caravan@futurenet.com
Andrew Jenkinson
Used-van contributor
practical.caravan@futurenet.com
QSHOULD I TAKE A TOWING COURSE?
We have just ordered our first caravan. I’ve never towed before, but I have been driving for 30 years and have a clean licence.
Is it worth taking a towing course, or will I soon pick up the basics if I’m careful?
David Johnson
David Motton replies…
There’s no legal requirement to have any special instruction before you tow with a caravan, but I would strongly recommend that anyone who is new to towing takes a training course.
It will build your confidence, make you a safer driver, and introduce you to reversing a trailer – which for many of us is the toughest part.
Both of the major touring clubs offer specialised courses (see caravanclub.co.uk and camping andcaravanningclub.co.uk) and there are also independent instructors around the country.
A quick internet search should help you find a course provider who is local to you.
A two-day course with The Camping and Caravanning Club costs £410 (there’s a £50 discount for Club members), which might sound like a lot, but really, it’s money well spent.
QMUST WE STICK TO THE 85% GUIDELINE?
We have noticed that in many of your caravan and tow car reviews, you refer to the 85% guideline in determining how heavy a caravan our car could tow. But in our vehicle owner’s handbook, and on many of the major car brand websites that we have seen, there is a figure for maximum towing weight, which is often considerably higher than what we get with the 85% rule. Why can’t we follow that figure?
Barry Ford
Peter Baber replies…
Maximum towing weight, as its name implies, usually refers to the absolute maximum weight the car can tow without the potential for damage. It also takes account of every kind of trailer you might tow, not just caravans.
The 85% guideline was arrived at after careful consideration by all sides of the industr
