Towing safety tips

First, make sure you have a tow bar that is up to the job! If you can afford it, it's worth paying for a professional installation. Make sure you're familiar with any laws that apply, especially if you are travelling abroad. In particular, make sure you know the speed limits. In some countries you need a separate warning light fitted in the car to show that the caravan direction indicator lights are working.

* Coping with the load - are the engine, brakes, tyres and suspension up to the job?

* Trailer or tow bar weights - check your cars handbook for the maximum weights allowed

* Rear view - make sure you can see behind the caravan using the cars mirrors. Extending side mirrors can be fitted to most cars

* Check tyre pressures - unless you are towing a light, unladen trailer, the car tyres should be inflated to full load pressures (check your cars handbook). Check the caravan tyre pressures are correct too

* Headlight set up - check the aim with the caravan attached, and have it adjusted if necessary. Many cars these days have an adjuster on the dashboard.

* Caravan lights - the extra load on the flasher circuit may cause the indicators to flash too slowly, so you may need a heavy duty flasher unit. Check brake, side and number plate lights

* Loading the caravan - refer to the manufacturers recommendations. As a general rule, distribute the weight with the heaviest items as near as possible to the caravan axle. Secure all heavy items so they can't move Car manufacturers usually specify an optimum noseweight for a caravan when loaded. If necessary, move the load to get as close as possible to the recommended noseweight and do not exceed it

* Engine - don't put unnecessary strain on the engine by trying to tow an unsuitably heavy load. The extra load on an engine when towing may mean that the cooling system is no longer adequate - you may be able to have modified cooling system components (a larger radiator, etc ) fitted to cope with this problem if you tow regularly

* Suspension - towing puts extra strain on a cars suspension components and can affect the handling of a car. Heavy duty rear suspension components are available for most cars to enable to cope with towing

* Reversing - there are some very simple rules to follow. It may seem to be a difficult concept to grasp at first, but instead of being able to turn your car steering wheel in the direction that you want your trailer/caravan to go, you must turn it in the opposite direction. It might take a little time to master this technique, especially when reversing round a corner When reversing in a straight line, the easiest way to remember what to do is to steer towards the towing mirror in which the trailer or caravan appears