Discovering that your caravan is non-compliant can be embarrassing and often inconvenient. Imagine planning a trip for months, only to see the red and blue lights of a police car flashing in your rear-view mirror. It’s certainly not the best way to start your holiday!

If getting a fine isn’t on your itinerary, there are a few compliance checks worth making before you hit the road. 

Simple Oversights That Earn Caravan Owners a Fine

The most obvious, but so often overlooked check, is your registration. Is it current? If you haven't travelled in a while, check it before you leave.

Have compliant towing mirrors that allow you to see fully behind you. Check them before turning the key. 

Check your lights. Get a helper to stand behind your rig and ensure that taillights, hazard lights, brakes and indicators are all working. Faulty lights will be begging for attention. 

Number plates: are they compliant, at the right height, does the light work, and are they unobstructed? If they are hard to see or hidden behind a mountain bike, you may get pulled over. 

Does your caravan bounce or sway excessively while towing? Faulty suspension, incorrect loading, or uneven weight distribution can affect handling and cause serious safety risks to both you and other road users. 

Check your tyres before every trip. Look for adequate tread, damage, correct tyre pressure and tyres that are appropriate for the caravan’s load. Worn or damaged tyres can compromise safety and attract unwanted attention from police. 

A Roadside Inspection Can Escalate Quickly

When police find a single defect or non-compliance, it often gives them the authority to conduct a full inspection in accordance with road laws. Now it can get down to the smaller, but more costly ticks and flicks. 

Do you have a safety certificate for your caravan weight compliance? Caravans between 750kg and 3.5 tonne MUST have one. Is it current? 

Hitch and coupling must be in good condition, and fully compliant. Are your safety-rated chains in good working order and correctly rated? 

Do you have the correct D-shackles rated for the towing weight? 

Finally, is the gas bottle fixed as per requirements, with all safety features tested and in working order? 

Roll Down the Road with Confidence, Don't Roll the Dice

Caravan compliance is about your safety and that of other road users. Without regular safety maintenance, off road caravans can pose serious safety risks on the road. Take the time to check your caravan before you leave, so you can hit the road with confidence and enjoy your holiday without an unwanted encounter with the coppers.