The great Australian dream of hitting the open road with a caravan in tow is more popular than ever, with the lure of adventure and the comforts of home beckoning travellers of all ages. However, a recent photo taken on Queensland’s Bruce Highway has highlighted a ‘dangerous’ issue that could put this dream at risk for many.
The image, which has been circulating on social media, shows a caravan with its tyres leaning inwards, a clear sign of distress. The concerned motorist who snapped the photo noticed the van wobbling as it changed lanes, a sight that is becoming all too common on Aussie roads. This worrying trend is not just an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger problem within the caravan industry.
Industry experts are sounding the alarm on the safety of caravans and campervans, pointing out that many of these vehicles are hitting the highways without meeting roadworthy requirements. Dave Jason from caravan weighing company Get-A-Weigh suggests that the leaning wheels could be due to a range of issues, including overloading, bearing seizure, suspension problems, or even damaged rims.
Darrin Anderson from Weigh Your Rig echoes these concerns, identifying worn bushes in the independent suspension as a likely culprit. The consequences of such wear can be severe, potentially leading to the suspension breaking away from the caravan altogether. This kind of mechanical failure is not just a hypothetical risk; just last month, a caravan lost its back wheels and axle, causing it to swerve dangerously across lanes.
The root of the problem seems to be a lack of regular servicing and maintenance. Caravans should ideally undergo a wheel alignment and a full service every 10,000 kilometres to ensure they are safe for travel. However, Dave Jason points out that ‘most people’ neglect this essential upkeep, leading to issues that remain undetected until it’s too late.
The caravan industry itself is under scrutiny for being ‘poorly regulated’. Despite Australian Design Rules (ADR) being in place, there are claims that many caravans are being sold with unsuitable tyres and incorrect weight specifications. This lack of regulation and oversight is a ticking time bomb for safety on the roads.
Caravan owners themselves are raising concerns over safety. Comments on the social media post where the image was shared reflect a community that is aware of the dangers but often sees them go unaddressed. From tyres wearing out prematurely to the lack of basic visual checks before hitting the road, it’s clear that more needs to be done to educate and enforce proper caravan maintenance and safety.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has supported calls for better regulations and driver training but has not advocated for a mandatory licence class for new caravan owners. This leaves a gap in ensuring that all caravan drivers are adequately prepared for the responsibilities of towing a large, heavy vehicle.
Have you experienced any similar issues with your caravan, or do you have any tips for fellow travellers on how to stay safe on the road? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on caravan safety in the comments below. Let’s share knowledge to ensure that our travels remain as enjoyable and safe as possible.
Also read: Why ‘stroads’ are disasters of urban planning, and how to fix them
This article is over exaggerated nonsense. We have been towing a caravan all over Australia for many years and in all that time have only ever seen one caravan accident, whereas we have seen many cars, utes, trucks involved in accidents. As for your comment about this particular incident where you say that this is “becoming all too common on our roads”, that is absolute bulls***. Try comparing the number of vehicle accidents with the number of accidents involving caravans. A little exercise to keep you busy Abegail, do the research and post the results on here instead of shooting off your uneducated mouth.