Towing Safely in South East Queensland: A Practical Guide

A modern caravan is heavier than most people think, and a lot of the roads around SEQ punish a poorly set up rig. This is the towing briefing we give every new owner before they drive out of our Burpengary yard.

Step 1: Know your four numbers

Off your tow vehicle compliance plate:

• Kerb weight — the vehicle with fluids, no people
• GVM — maximum the vehicle itself can weigh loaded
• Braked tow rating — maximum the vehicle can legally tow
• GCM — the maximum combined weight of vehicle + trailer

Off the van:

• Tare — empty weight
• ATM — maximum loaded weight
• Ball weight — what the coupling pushes down on the towbar

GCM is the one that catches people out. A ute rated to tow 3500kg often cannot legally carry a full family, fuel, and gear while also towing 3500kg. Do the maths before you buy.

Step 2: Load the van properly

• Heavy gear low and over the axles — not in the front boot, not at the back.
• Water tanks part filled for travel if you are close to ATM.
• Ball weight roughly 8 to 12% of the van's loaded weight. Too little and the van sways; too much and the front of the tug goes light.
• Weigh the loaded rig at a public weighbridge before your first big trip.

Step 3: Brakes, tyres, mirrors

• Fit and test a proportional electric brake controller — not a cheap timer based one.
• Run light truck (LT) tyres on anything over 2t ATM. Passenger tyres overheat on long QLD summer runs.
• Fit towing mirrors — it is a legal requirement, not a nice to have.

Step 4: The SEQ roads that catch people out

• Toowoomba Range (Warrego Hwy) — long climb, long descent. Use engine braking, not just the brake pedal.
• Cunningham's Gap — steep and tight. Take it slow, especially eastbound.
• Blackall & Maleny Ranges — gradient plus tight corners.
• Gateway/M1 merge zones — heavy traffic; leave a huge following gap.
• Coastal wind at Caloundra and Yamba — side wind can push a tall van around.

Step 5: Practise before you commit

Before your first big trip:

1. Do a full loop of your local shopping centre carpark to practise reversing.
2. Do a night at a close in park (Bribie, Kirkleagh, Kingscliff) to shake down every system.
3. Take a tow course if it is your first van — a half day course pays for itself the first time you avoid a jack knife.

Step 6: Get the setup right before you leave the yard

Before any van leaves our yard, we:

• Match the van to your tow vehicle on paper
• Fit and test the brake controller
• Check tyre pressures, wheel nuts, and coupling
• Walk you through the electrical, gas, and water systems

You will not leave here confused about what button does what. If you are looking at a van elsewhere and want a sanity check on the tow setup, call us — happy to talk it through.