AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITEBIG4.com.au Isn’t it time you visited?
Caravanners’ SafetyPre-departure
CHECKLIST
EXTERIOR
Checkoil,water,brakefluid,batteryetcandthatthefanbeltisingoodconditionandworkingproperly.
Checktheconditionofallthehosesinyourengine;replaceifnecessary.
Checkmirrorsarecleanandadjustedproperly.
Inspectalltyres(includingthespare)andrememberwhentowingheavilyloadedtrailers,yourvehicle’styrepressuresshouldbeincreasedtothelevelrecommendedintheowner’shandbookoronthetyreplacard.Ifindoubt,contactatyredealer.
Checkthatyourvehicleandtrailer’swheelnutshavebeentightenedtothemanufacturer’sspecifications.Thewheelbearingsshouldbecheckedandadjustedregularly.
Makesurenumberplatesandregistrationlabelsarecurrent.
Ensuregascylindersareproperlysecured.Whiletravelling,ensuregascylindersareturnedoff.
Checkthattheroll-outawningisstoredawayandlockedinthetravelposition.
Checkgaslines,appliances,connections,andfittings.Itisrecommendedthattheseareregularlycheckedbyaprofessional.
Checkthatthefrontandrearcornerstabilisersareinthe‘up’position.
Ensurethehandbrakeofthetrailerhasbeencorrectlyreleasedandtheelectricbrakesonyourcaravanareworking.
Thejockeywheelmustberemovedfromitsclampandstoredinthecaravanbootorlockedinthetravellingpositionifofaswivel-mounttype.
Ensuresafetychainsarecorrectlyconnectedbetweenthecaravanandcar.
Ensurethe240Velectricalleadisdisconnectedfromthecaravan.The12Vpowerleadforthecaravanlightsmustbecorrectlyconnectedandthetowingaidsorlevelridesmustbecorrectlyconnectedandadjusted.
Checkthatroofhatches,windows,doors,andstoneshieldsareclosedandsecureandthatwater,sullage,andelectricalcordshavebeendisconnectedandstoredaway.
Ensureallwheelchockshavebeenremoved.
CheckthattheTVantennaisinthetravelposition–securelystored.
Makesurethecaravanstepsareupandlockedinposition.Lowertherooforwalls,dependentonyourRVtype.
Ensuretools,accessories,awnings,etc.aresecured.
KnowtheheightofyourRVtoensuresafeclearanceatservicestations,underbridges,etc.
Fillthefueltankandregularlycheckit.Ensurethewatertankhasbeenfilledandthelockingcapissecured.
Checktrafficlightsonthevehicleareoperatingcorrectly.
IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE, HAVE IT CHECKED BY A SPECIALIST
AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITEBIG4.com.au Isn’t it time you visited?
ThisinformationwasrepublishedwiththepermissionoftheCaravan&CampingIndustryAssociationNSW.
HITCHING
Ensurethecoupling/towbarsocketandtowballmatchinsizeandarecorrectly/securelyfitted.
Checkthesafetychainsarecorrectlyconnected.
Ensurethetowbarwiringinsulationisingoodshapeandthattheplugandsocketarefreefromdirtbeforeconnecting.
RemovethejockeywheelfromitsclampandstoreitinthebootofthecarorRV,orifitisoftheswivel-mountvariety,lockitinthetravellingposition.
Checkthevanortrailerbrakeandlightconnectionsaresecureandtestalllights,includingindicators,ensuringtheywork.
Checktowinglightsareoperable,ensuringcaravannumberplatesandregistrationlabelsareclearlyvisible.
Disengageanyreversingcatchfittedtothetrailercoupling(asusedwithover-runbrakes).
Makeateststoportwotocheckbrakesareworkingproperly.
Ensureyourloadisproperlysecured.Limittheamountofloadinthetowvehicle’sboot.
Ensurethetowvehicle’srear-visionmirrorsareproperlyadjusted.
INTERIOR
Checkthefridgecontentscan’ttipover/aresealed.Closeandlockthefridgedoor.
Checkcupboards,drawers,andtheshowerdoorhavebeenclosedandlocked;folddowntableormakesureitissecure;putawayanylooseitemsindrawersorcupboards.
Ensureafireextinguisherhasbeenfitted.Checkitsexpirationdate.
EnsureitemssuchastheTVandmicrowavearesecuredfortravellingandwindowsandhatchesareclosed.
Checkthegasandelectricshavebeenturnedoff.
Removeallitemsfrombenchtopsandbathroomshelvesandstoresecurely.
Beforegettinginthecartodriveoff,walkaroundthecaravanorRVforonelastsafetychecktoensureallissecureandnoleadsareconnected.
BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD