RV FEATURE

3 . Maintain a safe breaking distance . It takes much longer to stop in the wet , so extend the distance between you and the car in front to at least four seconds .

4 . Take care of your vehicle . Ensure your car ’ s safety equipment , windscreen wipers , batteries , lights , and brakes are working correctly .

5 . Check your tyres . Tyres must have plenty of tread depth ( no less than 1.5mm ) and no damage .

6 . When in doubt , pull over . It is never worth the risk to drive in conditions you ’ re even slightly unsure of .

“ Motorists also need to keep pedestrians , cyclists and motorcycles at the forefront of their minds – they are much more difficult to see in low-visibility conditions ,” Ms Pedersen said .

+ DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST FOR EASY USE

Jayco , Australia ’ s largest manufacturer of RVs , has created the following checklist in an effort to improve road safety among vanners , especially with more and more taking to the road for the annual northern migration .

CARAVAN

Coupling . Inspect the coupling mechanism for any signs of damage or wear . Ensure it is securely attached to the tow vehicle .

Safety chains . Check the safety chains for any damage or weak points . They should be properly attached and capable of supporting the weight of the caravan .

Brakes . Regularly inspect and maintain the caravan ’ s brakes . Ensure they are in good working condition and adjusted properly .

Break-away brakes . Have the emergency break-away braking system checked to ensure it is operational and functioning correctly .

Brake controller . Adjust the brake controller in the tow vehicle to suit the specific requirements of the caravan being towed .

Hand brake tension . Verify that the hand brake is properly tensioned and can securely hold the caravan in place ; however , we would still recommend always chocking your van ’ s wheels .

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