While the right towing package makes almost any 2WD vehicle suitable for towing, pickup trucks and 4x4s have always been top choices for drivers looking to get from A to B with a little extra cargo.
Whether towing a trailer or horsebox, the capabilities and power of a 4×4 vehicle certainly come in handy, especially when towing across adverse terrain as Four Wheel Trends details:
“4×4 is necessary for towing when you’re facing situations with minimal traction. Some examples might be mud, snow, ice, gravel, or very irregular terrain. If you’re on muddy grounds and you need to tow something, then you need 4×4… 4×4 will help you have more traction, and therefore more chances of getting out of that challenging terrain. It also comes in handy when you’re going either up and down an incline with less than ideal traction.”
Your experience may differ further when towing something a little larger, like a caravan. In this blog post, we share our caravan towing tips for 4×4 and pickup drivers so you can hit the road with confidence.
Know your towing limits
Understanding your 4×4’s towing capacity is the first and most important step when towing a caravan or trailer. As the maximum weight your vehicle can legally tow, knowing your towing limits will keep you, your passengers and your cargo safe and compliant.
Towing no more than 85% of your vehicle’s kerb weight is also recommended, with only experienced drivers able to tow more.
Upgrade for safer towing
If your vehicle hasn’t made the shortlist for the best 4x4s for towing a caravan, don’t worry. The right upgrades and accessories are all you need to get your 4×4 or pickup truck tow-ready.
Here at 4×4 Works, we stock a wide range of accessories that make towing safe and legal, including the best towing mirrors in town. Suitable for use both on the road and off, our Clearview Towing Mirrors are vehicle-specific, premium quality and extendable for towing. As a result, they’re perfect for improving visibility beyond a towed caravan, boat or trailer.
Our range of rear bumpers (complete with tow bars) should also be explored by drivers who are serious about towing.
Don’t forget the suspension
The suspension of your vehicle may need to be tweaked to improve towing safety and your overall driving experience.
While even the best suspension upgrade won’t increase the load your vehicle can carry, boosting your rear suspension can give your 4×4 or pickup extra pulling power when under load as well as prevent sagging. Explore our suspension upgrades today right here.
More towing advice for caravanners
Once your vehicle is prepared, it’s all down to you and your driving style. When towing a caravan, you should give yourself more time and space to manoeuvre and react.
Your caravan should be suitably equipped with a rear light panel to ensure optimum visibility across all road conditions. If your caravan weighs more than 750kg, it should also have a working brake system of its own.
Keeping your caravan as light as it can be will enhance your safety and driving experience too. If you do need to transport heavier items, position them low and close to the axles for better weight distribution. During towing, your caravan should also be free from passengers, who should travel inside your vehicle with you.
