Tips for Safely Driving a Campervan in New Zealand

Driving a camper van safely in New Zealand

​You’ve bought your dream caravan or motorhome, mapped your route and you’re almost ready to go. It’s important to take safety precautions when you’re on the road so that your holiday has nothing but good memories. Paying out on repairs or serious injury is one way to ruin the experience for everyone, so we’re bringing you these top safety tips for driving your RV.

Before You Leave

​Arriving at your destination means beginning your journey the right way. There are certain factors to take into account in the weeks leading up to your leaving date.

Your Caravan - Weight

​Make sure your car can legally and safely tow your caravan. If your vehicle isn’t equipped to support the caravan and you run into problems, insurance companies may instantly reject your claim.  Make sure you are aware of the Payload weight which you are allowed. (How much weight over and above the tare weight you are allowed to place in the van)

Your Caravan - Weight

Make sure you have your weight evenly distributed. Overloading the rear of your caravan can create an unstable load and your caravan can start to swerve all over the road to the extent that you lose control.

Have Appropriate Mirrors

​Investing in a good quality set of towing mirrors not only keeps you safe, it will also help calm your nerves when reversing or performing difficult turns. The more you can see, the safer you are.

Servicing your Motorhome

It is recommended to fully service your vehicle before heading off on a road trip. Servicing should be done based on the manufacturers recommended servicing. This will vary between models and manufacturers. This can be the difference between an enjoyable memory and spending the afternoon stuck on the side of the road.

Driving Etiquette for Tourists

​Your car will drive differently when you’re towing a caravan. It can be a whole new experience to drive with a caravan on the back. Take accelerating, breaking and turning carefully by slowing down and being deliberate in your choices. Besides, driving is a chance to chill out and enjoy the beautiful views.

Drive with Awareness

​Try to remain alert to the traffic and road conditions around you. Hills can become hazards and your stopping time is greatly impaired when you’re towing a caravan. Anticipating problems will help you stay safe and drive in a fuel-efficient way.

Take Caution when Overtaking

It will take you longer to overtake other vehicles when you’re in an RV. You are longer and less powerful than other cars on the road, so make sure you have enough time to safely overtake.

Don’t Cut Corners

Always keep within your own lane and don’t cut corners, especially on hills. You can never know if a seemingly empty curve in the road may hide incoming traffic.

What to Do When Your Caravan is Swaying

​Don’t slam on your brakes, you need to slow down cautiously and smoothly. It may be extremely frightening but if you stay calm and decelerate appropriately, everything should remain under control. Every tow vehicle has a safe tow speed. Learn what your safe tow speed is and don’t travel faster than that speed. Your safe speed may need to be reduced when it is windy or if you are on narrow roads.

Find the Campervan with the Best Safety Features

DeLuxe RV Group can find the perfect RV for your needs while upholding all safety rules and regulations. The most important part of travelling is making sure you and your family avoid harm. If you have any further questions about anything in this article or on the Motorhome and Caravan models available today, call our expert team on 03 926 6789 or contact us online