3
Having the best suspension in the world
is pretty useless unless the caravan
is riding on good quality tyres. As we
suggested with the tow vehicle last issue,
a good set of brand name all-terrain
tyres are ideal for caravans exposed to
rough roads.
Apart from having excellent load carrying
capabilities, all-terrain tyres have strong
sidewalls and thick tread to resist
punctures and blowouts. The standard
tyres fitted to the majority of caravans are
totally inadequate in these conditions.
Without question, correct tyre pressures
are vital to the survivability of your
caravan in offroad conditions.
4
You will need adequate stone protection
if you intend to do a lot of dirt-road
travel. The tyres of the car will send a
constant barrage of stones onto the front
of your caravan. Apart from potentially
damaging the front of your van, there is
a high risk that some of these stones will
ricochet onto the back of the tow vehicle
and likely breaking the rear windscreen.
A good stone deflector on the A-frame
will deflect these stones harmlessly to
the ground.
5
An offroad tow hitch is invaluable in
rough conditions. They provide a very
secure connection between the tow
vehicle and the caravan and also offer
a greater range of articulation than a
standard ball hitch.
This range of movement is vital in the
event of a van rollover. A ball hitch can
transfer the rolling forces to the tow
vehicle, causing it to roll over as well. An
offroad hitch minimises this effect.
Towing a van on
and off a ferry
presents its own
challenges.
Dual-axle vans can be just as capable on tracks
as single-axle rigs, as long as they're towed with
care.
6
Offroad travel will involve having to
negotiate obstacles like spoon drains,
dips, creek crossings, and even ferry
boarding ramps. In order to avoid getting
caught up or damaging the van, a good
departure angle is needed.
Most good offroad caravans have a raised
rear end or a full cutaway that provides
this much needed additional clearance.
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