Traino di una roulotte in Nuova Zelanda

Conosci la combinazione

Controllare la capacità di traino, l'attacco, la catena di sicurezza, le luci, i pneumatici, i freni e i pesi caricati per entrambi i veicoli. Conto di acqua, gas, biciclette e attrezzature aggiunte dopo la specifica vuota.

I passeggeri non possono viaggiare all'interno di una roulotte su strada. Tutti devono occupare un posto con cintura di sicurezza omologato nel veicolo trainante.

Velocità e spaziatura

La velocità massima su strada aperta durante il traino è di 90 km/h con collegamento rigido. Viaggia più lentamente ogni volta che la stabilità, la visibilità, il tempo o la strada lo richiedono.

Lasciare almeno quattro secondi di intervallo, di più in caso di maltempo. Frenare prima delle curve e selezionare una marcia più bassa per le discese.

Condividi strade strette

Utilizzare aree di sosta sicure per consentire il passaggio del traffico che segue e avvicinarsi ai ponti a una corsia solo quando l'intera combinazione può liberarsi.

Vento forte, oscillazione del rimorchio o freni surriscaldati richiedono una sosta. Non tentare di recuperare il tempo perduto sull'itinerario aumentando la velocità.

Towing speed limits are lower

Light trailers and caravans are limited to 90 km/h on the open road, below the 100 km/h general limit, and heavy trailer combinations are also capped at 90 km/h. The limit applies regardless of the posted speed, and it is enforced.

Leave a much larger following gap than you would in a car. Braking distance increases substantially with a trailer, and the most common towing crashes here involve running out of stopping room on a descent.

Weights, ratings and loading

The tow vehicle's maximum towing capacity, the towbar rating, the caravan's gross laden weight and the tow ball download all have to agree, and the limiting figure is whichever is lowest. Exceeding any of them affects handling, braking and insurance.

Load heavy items low and over the axle, keep roughly ten percent of the weight on the tow ball, and avoid loading the rear of the caravan, which is what causes sway. Check the load again after the first hour of driving.

Sway and how to respond

Sway usually starts from a crosswind gust, a passing truck or too little tow ball weight, and it builds rather than settling. The instinct to brake hard or steer against it makes it worse.

Ease off the accelerator gently, keep the steering straight, and let the combination slow itself. If your vehicle has a trailer brake controller, applying the trailer brakes alone can pull the combination straight. Then stop and check the loading.

Roads to think twice about

Tākaka Hill, the Crown Range, the Rimutaka Hill Road, the 309 Road and much of the Coromandel coast are demanding with a caravan and some are prohibited or strongly discouraged for large combinations. Check before committing, since turning around is often not possible.

On descents, select a lower gear and use engine braking rather than riding the brakes, which fade. Pull over regularly to let following traffic past, both as courtesy and because a queue behind you creates overtaking risk.

Reversing, parking and campgrounds

Practise reversing in an empty car park before the trip. Campground sites frequently require a reverse into a defined space with neighbours close on both sides, and doing that for the first time with an audience is how people damage vans.

Book sites that suit your combination length and say you are towing when you book. Many holiday parks keep specific drive-through sites, and getting one removes most of the difficulty from arrival.

Unhitching gives you an ordinary vehicle for day trips and is worth doing whenever you stay more than one night. Use wheel chocks and levelling ramps, and check the handbrake holds before disconnecting anything.

Wind and exposed roads

A caravan is a large flat surface and crosswind is the main cause of loss of control while towing. Exposed sections around Wellington, the Desert Road, the Mackenzie and coastal Canterbury are all known for it.

Slow down before exposed sections rather than reacting within them, and take particular care when emerging from a cutting or passing a truck, where the wind loads and unloads suddenly.

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