Caravan Inspections? Pre-Holiday  Basic Items to be Checked                

We want everyone in Australia who tows a caravan or camper-trailer to have it inspected before they take to the road, to ensure it is legal and safe. 

It is important to understand Ratings & Masses  to ensure that no Ratings are ever exceeded. 

It is highly recommended that you obtain a certified weigh-bridge certificate, stating both the Tare Mass, and the Empty Ball-Loading.                                             

Measured Tare Mass:  ????? kg  

Empty Ball-Loading at the Tare Mass condition:  ??? kg 

It is also recommended that you obtain a weigh-bridge certificate of the Total Mass, and the Ball-Loading when the ?van is fully loaded. 

The correct Ball-Loading is critical regarding proper handling and stability. If you have any questions regarding compliance and safety, consult a caravan specialist for advice. 

Legal Load-Carrying Capacity (LLCC)  =  Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) Rating  ?  Tare Mass 

Is the Caravan Compliant & Legal???                                                YES / NO 

Is the Caravan / Tow-Vehicle Combination Compliant & Legal???        YES / NO 

Is the Caravan in Good Condition???                                                 YES / NO 

Is the Tow-Vehicle in Good Condition???                                            YES / NO 

Braking System:  Over-ride brakes: Is the sliding mechanism in the coupling in good condition and lubricated to provide consistent and smooth braking?  YES / NO 

For all vehicles over 2,000 kg GTM Rating, is an in-car electronic brake controller fitted?   YES / NO 

For all vehicles over 2,000 kg GTM Rating, is an approved break-away system fitted?      YES / NO 

Tyres:    The tyres are probably the most important parts of the caravan - and tow-vehicle ? regarding safety, ride and handling. 

Tyres must be correctly sized to suit the loadings they will be subjected to.   Complete Tyre Size: ????.???.................. 

Are the Speed & Load Ratings OK?  YES / NO 

What is the recommended tyre pressure for when the van is fully-loaded            kPa 

Carefully inspect all tyre to ensure the entire treads & side-walls are in good condition:  YES / NO 

Are all wheels in good condition?  YES / NO 

Are all wheel-nuts tightened, by a torque-wrench, to the correct torque?   YES / NO    Nm:              

It is suggested that pencil (or water-proof felt pen) marks be drawn on each wheel-nut, with mating marks on the wheel, so that a quick glance will show if the nut has started to become loose. 

Electrical Wiring & Lamps:  Is the lamps wiring correct, and is it in good condition?  YES / NO 

Are the tow-vehicle socket and the caravan plug - and the break-away switch assembly - in good condition:  YES / NO 

Do all lamps work correctly and are they in good condition?  YES / NO 

Coupling Assembly & Safety Chains:  Are the Safety Chains correctly stamped (every fourth Link)?   e.g.  4177-25 or 4177-35  YES / NO 

Are the safety chains securely welded to the A-Frame?  YES / NO 

Are they of a suitable length (to allow full uninhibited steering, but prevent the A-frame from contacting the road), and for 2 chains, are they crossed-over when attached to the tow-vehicle?  YES / NO

Are the D-Shackles made of steel, and do they have a stamped Load Rating (kg)?  YES / NO 

50 mm Ball & Coupling:   Are the ball and coupling both 50 mm diameter? YES / NO 

(Note: Some couplings may be of a larger imperial (inches) size.) 

Does the Coupling have the manufacturer?s name, AS 4177, and Load Rating marked (kg)?  YES / NO 

Is the Coupling in good condition, and the mounting bolts firmly secured?  YES / NO 

Is the Ball nut tightened to the prescribed torque, and fitted with a lock-washer / nut?  YES / NO 

Is there is an Approval Certificate for the LPG installation?  YES / NO 

Is there is an Approval Certificate for the 230-volt ac electrical system?  YES / NO 

Is the Residual Current Device (RCD) operating correctly?  YES / NO 

Is the chassis free of damage, cracks (structural members and welds), and rust?  YES / NO 

Is the under-side free from damage, timber rotting, and unprotected wiring and tubing/hoses?  YES / NO 

Are the wheel hubs, bearings, stub axles, cap and seals clean and in good condition?  YES / NO 

Are the bearings correctly grease-packed, correctly tensioned, and secured with split pins?   YES / NO 

Are all springs and suspension components in sound condition?  YES / NO 

Are all pins, bushes, hangers and shackles in good condition and lubricated as required?  YES / NO 

Tow-Vehicle Inspection:   It is highly recommended that you have a qualified mechanic inspect all of the safety-related items on the tow-vehicle, as would be done for a Road-Worthiness inspection. 

Is the Tow-Bar properly secured, and in sound condition?  YES / NO 

Connect the Combination:  Are the two vehicles level (in a side view)?  YES / NO 

Are the safety-chains, shackles, and coupling working properly? YES / NO 

Test-drive the vehicle combination at reasonable speeds on various road surfaces, to ensure the handling and stability seem OK:   YES / NO 

Are the brakes in good condition, and do they provide effective straight-line stopping on a hard stop?  YES / NO 

Personal Protection:   Do you have - and are they in working condition - the following?  YES / NO 

Fire extinguisher, Smoke-detector, CO [carbon monoxide] -detector, First Aid kit.  YES / NO 

Do you have suitable insurance for the caravan and tow-vehicle?  YES / NO

Ensure that everyone in the caravan reads and understands all safety notices, and knows what to do in an emergency. 

Disclaimer:  This information is not to be deemed to be legal advice.  It is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. 

However, no liability whatsoever is accepted from the use or reliance of this, or other information available on the CCA web-site. 

 Caravan Council of Australia 

 www.caravancouncil.com.au 

 caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au