Tag Tech Talk
When and how to use a weight-distribution hitch
Weight-distribution hitches can be literally a lifesaver but are no substitute for good payload balance. We explain when and how to use a weight-distribution hitch. We’ve probably all seen a van being towed by a vehicle with its nose pointing to…
Build a battery box wrong, and it becomes a hydrogen bomb!
We really need to stop turning battery boxes into hydrogen bombs! In a rather concerning trend I’ve noticed as of late, there are a lot of people building ‘battery boxes’. I absolutely understand the concept behind them; they’re portable, easy…
12 Pros and Cons of Lithium Batteries
It’s flexible but expensive – is lithium power right for you? We run through 12 pros and cons of lithium batteries. PROS 1 – ENERGY LEVELS LifePO4 (lithium) batteries will release energy at any level required in RV use. Given…
Is a long idle killing your diesel engine?
We noticed posts about idling your diesel tow vehicle for an extended period are gracing the pages of Facebook again. So we ask the question, is a long idle killing your diesel engine? We thought it time to sit down…
Are your caravan safety chains the missing link?
The safety chains we use to link van and tow vehicle can be, for some, a confusing area of safety legislation. What’s legal and what isn’t? Don’t let your caravan safety chains be the missing link. As we covered off…
Is your caravan’s compliance plate lying to you?
The trailer plate, often misleadingly referred to as the compliance plate, is an important part of a caravan or camper-trailer, but is your compliance plate lying to you? The intent of fastening trailer plate to a vehicle is to provide…
Do my caravan shackles have to be yellow?
While all shackles are not created equal, they’re not all yellow either – what difference does it make? And do my caravan shackles have to be yellow? You’d be forgiven for thinking the sky was about to fall in. Your…
Your Top 5 12V electrical questions answered
It’s one of the easiest things to get wrong: your electrics. So here are your Top 5 12V electrical questions answered. We spoke to Eddy Springer of Springers Solar to get the answers to your top 5 12V electrical questions,…
Caravan weight check: how do your numbers stack up?
It’s an issue we’ve written about over and over, but some caravanners still need enlightenment. We ask a bloke who weighs caravans for a living how the numbers stack up when it comes to caravan weight. Three years ago, Dave…
Have you (and your van) got a weight problem?
While it might sound like a personal question, it’s very likely your van has a weight problem if you’ve not taken any of the steps outlined in this story. If you’re a novice caravanner and you ask the question “how…
Are screw-in pegs better than traditional tent pegs?
Are screw-in pegs better than traditional tent pegs? We go completely over the top to find out! Most campers have had the pleasure of whacking steel tent pegs into the ground, followed by the frustrated yanking to get ’em out.…
What your towball weight will cost you
You may know what your maximum towball number is – but do you use it when you check your overall weight? Read on to find out what your towball weight will cost you. There’s constant debate about the maximum towing…
Why a caravan satellite dish is a must have luxury
A caravan satellite dish is no longer a luxury item and could be termed a must-have. Why? How else can you watch Friday night Rugby?
Understanding the dynamics of towing: what is a Dutch Roll?
We’ve looked at the basics of towing dynamics in several parts – one, two and three) and now we’re adding in a couple of effects. Namely, what happens on inclines and what’s a Dutch Roll? Dutch Roll is a tendency…
Understanding the dynamics of towing: Nose weight
In parts one and two of Understanding the Dynamics of Towing, we have established that the nose weight of your trailer plays a crucial role, here we discuss nose weight in detail.* It does not matter if you have a…
Why are disc brakes not usually fitted to caravans?
They’ve been around for years, but if you’re banging a drum, you might ask, ‘Why are disc brakes not usually fitted to caravans?’ Given the widespread use of disc brakes in our towing vehicles you might wonder why the technology…
Understanding the dynamics of towing: Twin-axle trailers
In part one of Understanding the dynamics of Towing, we discussed brakes, nose weight and the centre of gravity. In part two, we look at twin-axle trailers and weight balance. As in part one, the examples used are of lighter…
Understanding the dynamics of towing, part one
How much do you actually know about what’s going on behind you when towing? And we’re not discussing the view from your towing mirrors; we are talking about understanding the dynamics of towing This series of articles is designed to…
