By Emma Dodd
Caravan trips are the holiday of choice this year, with more people than usual choosing a staycation in a motorhome over a trip abroad.
This means a greater number of people are likely to be towing caravans, leading to some advice being issued by the Admiral insurance company.
Analysis of its data shows that nearly half of road accidents involving a caravan occur in June, July and August, which makes sense, as this is traditionally the biggest holiday season of the year.
What many people don’t know is that fines of up to £1,000 can be incurred for failing to comply with the rules around caravan towing.
Drivers should make sure they fully understand towing regulations, feel comfortable behind the wheel and have the right insurance before embarking on a caravan holiday.
Clare Egan, Head of Motor at Admiral, said: “Before setting off on their journey, motorists will need to double check that their driving licence covers them to tow and they’ll need to make sure that the vehicle used to pull the trailer is up for the job, so they can have a safe and enjoyable trip.
“Remember, you could be fined up to £1,000 and get three penalty points for failing to use suitable towing mirrors which would put a real dampener on your holiday, so make sure you’re fully prepared before you set off.”
Admiral has also provided a checklist of jobs to complete before towing:
· Close gas taps and lift connectors off the gas bottle or bottles
· Switch off all interior lights and other electrical equipment
· Disconnect the mains supply and carefully stow the cable
· Empty the fresh and waste-water tanks
· Stow all loose equipment and belongings with heavy items as low as possible
These tasks need to be done after every overnight stop, not just when leaving the house initially to go on holiday.
First-time caravanners can benefit from having a copy of such a list to hand in their motorhome to remind them of what to do before setting off each time.
