We want you to have an enjoyable holiday in your caravan, but also a safe one. So in this article we’ll be focusing on caravan safety and the laws around caravan braking systems for when you’re towing your caravan from A to B. We’ve also got a handy checklist to ensure your caravan is roadworthy before you head out on your trip.

What kind of brakes do I need for my caravan?

The brakes required for a towable load depends on its Gross Trailer Mass (GTM). This is divided into three simple rules:

1. No brakes required for loaded weight of 0 – 750 kg.
2. Electric or override braking on both wheels or at least one axle for loaded weight of 750 – 2000 kg.
3. Automatic breakaway system and electric braking on all wheels for loaded weight of 2001 – 4500 kg

A caravan that weighs over 2000 kg is a heavy load to tow, which is why it legally requires a breakaway system.

What is a caravan breakaway system?

A caravan breakaway system is a safety device required by law to be fitted to towed caravans over 2000 kg. If your caravan happens to become uncoupled when you’re towing it, then electric brakes or electronic disk brakes kick in on all wheels and stop your caravan from running away and causing an accident. The brakes need to be able to hold the caravan in place for at least 15 minutes.

A small battery powered unit is mounted on the caravan and connected to the tow vehicle with a metal cord, and a breakaway switch with a pin is mounted to the A frame of the trailer. The pin is pulled from the switch if the caravan uncouples from the tow vehicle, and this engages the electric brakes and brake lights.

What are the legal requirements for a caravan breakaway system?

Though caravan laws may differ from state to state there are standardised nationwide laws to do with caravan breakaway systems. We’ve covered these laws in general above but officially the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development states that:

Every trailer over two tonnes GTM must have brakes operating on all wheels.
The brake system must cause an immediate application of the trailer brakes in the event of the trailer becoming detached from the towing vehicle.
Under these circumstances, the brakes must remain applied for at least 15 minutes.

The breakaway system battery must be kept charged so the electric brakes function correctly, because if they don’t the caravan can carreen off into other drivers, pedestrians or property. Although a detached caravan that has braked is in itself a road hazard, one without brakes can cause even more damage.

There are no specific rules about how you charge the battery in Victoria, for example, it can be charged by solar power, charged externally or by the towing vehicle. If you’re concerned the battery may go flat, you can buy a battery monitor to install near the driver’s seat to check the battery is always sufficiently charged.

Do you tow your caravan safely on the road?

Having a breakaway system that works is just one aspect of towing a caravan. To make sure you’re ticking all the boxes for caravan safely, run through this checklist of caravan towing tips before you head out on the road:

• Check your coupling and safety chains are in good working condition.
• Check that brakes and external lights are working.
• Check wheels, bearings, tyres and suspension are in good condition.
• Check tyres have a tread depth of 1.6mm or more.
• Make sure no one travels inside the caravan when it’s being towed.
• Do not tow anything behind the caravan.
• Don’t overload your caravan beyond its maximum weight.
• Check State or Territory laws if travelling interstate.
• Always keep the registration up to date.
• Get your caravan serviced by a qualified mechanic.

The Right Electric Brake System.

There are a number of important safety reasons for the strict regulations around electric caravan brake systems. Breakaway systems are important  in case your caravan becomes uncoupled from your towing vehicle. Other electronic stability control systems, such as AL-KO Esc caravan brakes, are designed to automatically respond in the event that your caravan begins to sway. ‘Sway’ is one of the leading cause of accidents and can lead to the caravan toppling, or jack-knifing. Electric brakes are operated from within the towing vehicle via the electric brake controller. Fitting the right electric braking system and brake controller on your caravan is an essential part of caravan safety.