Essential checks for drivers towing caravans and trailers this holiday

TRY and get a reservation at South Africa's most popular caravan parks for next month and you'd be hard-pressed to find one available.

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A FEW checks could prevent a disaster while towing a caravan or trailer. I File

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We're a nation that loves to hitch something behind our vehicles and head into the outdoors, and whether it's a packed campsite next to the ocean, one of our beautiful national parks or a remote park, you'll find some sort of attachment behind a car ranging in price from a few thousand rand to more than a million rand.

Off-road caravans, road caravans, off-road trailers, and small Venter-type boxes bouncing around merrily behind cars are common over the holiday season.

And while we place a lot of emphasis on getting our cars ready before a long trip, caravans and trailers tend to be forgotten until it’s too late.

Before you hitch your trailer or caravan, irrespective of its size or purpose, here are eight vital checks to do before heading out.

Correct licence for load limits

Ensure you're legally allowed to tow. A Code B licence (the standard car licence) allows you to tow a light trailer under 750kg GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass).