Are You RV Safe? Episode 3 Review – Mastering Driving, Braking, and Reversing Techniques

Photo of author

By Car Brand Experts


Are You RV Safe? has returned with its third episode, featuring John and Borgy who are stepping up the training by allowing our learners to take the wheel. This episode focuses on everything from towing techniques to mastering reverse driving, aimed at boosting the confidence needed to navigate Australia’s roads in a caravan or motorhome. Here’s a breakdown of the essential lessons!

How to reverse
Jessi and John practicing driving skills

Towing: Maintaining Control Behind the Wheel

The learners—Jessica, Evan, and Martin—embarked on a practical driving session as their big test began. With Evan still healing from a previous jackknife incident and Jessica a novice in towing, John and Borgy provided valuable guidance that helped them remain calm under pressure. Here’s how to ensure your towing standards are top-notch:

Essential Towing Tips:

  • Inspect your tyres: Ensure they are properly inflated before you start.
  • Securely hitch up: Double-check that your safety chains and brakeaway systems are firmly attached.
  • Turn off gas: Always ensure gas bottles are off and secured during travel.
  • Lock everything: Verify that windows, doors, and the spare tyre are safely secured.

By following these basic checks, Jessica and Evan were able to enhance their confidence in towing, demonstrating that even those without experience can tow effectively!

Are You RV Safe ClearView

Reversing Your Caravan: Less Daunting Than It Appears

Reversing a caravan or trailer is often regarded as one of the biggest challenges faced by RV enthusiasts. However, John and Borgy proved that with a little practice and patience, this task isn’t as intimidating as it seems.

Easy Tips for Reversing:

  • Adjust your mirrors: Position them to see the rear wheels of the trailer clearly.
  • Take it slow: Maintain a low speed to allow time for adjustments.
  • Observe the back corner: If the trailer starts to drift, turn the steering wheel in that direction to realign it.
  • Practice patience: Make small, deliberate movements; there’s no need to rush!

Even Evan, who was anxious about experiencing another jackknife incident, navigated his reverse test with ease, highlighting how beneficial practice can be.


Trailer Braking
REDARC brake controller

Brakes: The Importance of Trailer Brakes

Trailer brakes are essential for safe towing, particularly when transporting heavy loads. In this episode, John and Borgy illustrated to our learners how to utilize brake controllers to fine-tune braking power, ensuring the trailer aids in decelerating the entire vehicle.

Key Trailer Braking Tips:

  • Start with lower settings: Begin with a less intense brake setting and adjust accordingly.
  • Emergency stops: Engage trailer brakes prior to those of the vehicle to prevent sway.
  • Brake progressively: Use gentle braking to achieve smoother stops and reduce wear on brakes.

With the Redarc Tow Pro Elite and upgraded DBA brakes in place, our learners experienced firsthand the critical role these tools play in achieving safe and controlled stops.

Trailer hitch
Tag Towbars

Ensuring Your Hitch is Properly Set

One vital lesson from this episode focused on adjusting the hitch height after the suspension has settled. If your caravan is tilting down at the front, it’s time to correct that imbalance.

Steps to Adjust Hitch Height:

  1. Unhitch the caravan: Use the jockey wheel to relieve the weight on the hitch.
  2. Modify the ball mount: Raise or lower the hitch to achieve a level caravan.
  3. Secure everything: Reconnect and verify that the caravan is being towed evenly.

John assisted Jessica in understanding these steps, demonstrating how a minor adjustment can significantly impact towing performance.

Levels
Windsor Caravan with a nose-down position

Final Challenge: Mastering the Reverse!

In the concluding segment of the episode, our learners confronted the ultimate challenge—reversing their RVs independently. With encouragement from John and Borgy, each learner approached this task with assurance, proving that practice truly leads to perfection.

Watch Episode 3!

Whether you are a newcomer to RVing or an experienced traveler, Are You RV Safe? offers practical advice to enhance the safety and enjoyment of your next trip. Tune in to episode 3 on Channel 10 this Saturday at 12:30 pm, or catch up at your convenience on 10 Play.




.

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share This

Share this post with your friends!