Are You RV Safe? has returned with its third episode, featuring John and Borgy who are stepping up the training by allowing our learners to take the wheel. This episode focuses on everything from towing techniques to mastering reverse driving, aimed at boosting the confidence needed to navigate Australia’s roads in a caravan or motorhome. Here’s a breakdown of the essential lessons!
Towing: Maintaining Control Behind the Wheel
The learners—Jessica, Evan, and Martin—embarked on a practical driving session as their big test began. With Evan still healing from a previous jackknife incident and Jessica a novice in towing, John and Borgy provided valuable guidance that helped them remain calm under pressure. Here’s how to ensure your towing standards are top-notch:
Essential Towing Tips:
By following these basic checks, Jessica and Evan were able to enhance their confidence in towing, demonstrating that even those without experience can tow effectively!
Reversing Your Caravan: Less Daunting Than It Appears
Reversing a caravan or trailer is often regarded as one of the biggest challenges faced by RV enthusiasts. However, John and Borgy proved that with a little practice and patience, this task isn’t as intimidating as it seems.
Easy Tips for Reversing:
Even Evan, who was anxious about experiencing another jackknife incident, navigated his reverse test with ease, highlighting how beneficial practice can be.
Brakes: The Importance of Trailer Brakes
Trailer brakes are essential for safe towing, particularly when transporting heavy loads. In this episode, John and Borgy illustrated to our learners how to utilize brake controllers to fine-tune braking power, ensuring the trailer aids in decelerating the entire vehicle.
Key Trailer Braking Tips:
With the Redarc Tow Pro Elite and upgraded DBA brakes in place, our learners experienced firsthand the critical role these tools play in achieving safe and controlled stops.
Ensuring Your Hitch is Properly Set
One vital lesson from this episode focused on adjusting the hitch height after the suspension has settled. If your caravan is tilting down at the front, it’s time to correct that imbalance.
Steps to Adjust Hitch Height:
- Unhitch the caravan: Use the jockey wheel to relieve the weight on the hitch.
- Modify the ball mount: Raise or lower the hitch to achieve a level caravan.
- Secure everything: Reconnect and verify that the caravan is being towed evenly.
John assisted Jessica in understanding these steps, demonstrating how a minor adjustment can significantly impact towing performance.
Final Challenge: Mastering the Reverse!
In the concluding segment of the episode, our learners confronted the ultimate challenge—reversing their RVs independently. With encouragement from John and Borgy, each learner approached this task with assurance, proving that practice truly leads to perfection.
Watch Episode 3!
Whether you are a newcomer to RVing or an experienced traveler, Are You RV Safe? offers practical advice to enhance the safety and enjoyment of your next trip. Tune in to episode 3 on Channel 10 this Saturday at 12:30 pm, or catch up at your convenience on 10 Play.
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