CARAVAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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Towing
Q. WHAT ARE MY TowBar REQUIREMENTS?
All vehicles towing must comply with industry towing capacity requirements and have a correctly rated tow bar fitted. The towing vehicle and tow-bar must both have a Towing Rating that exceeds the ATM Rating of the Caravan. The towing vehicle and tow-bar must both have a Maximum Ball-load Rating that exceeds the actual ball-loading of the Caravan at any time. It is the responsibility of the Hirer to always ensure that they do not ever exceed any of these Ratings when they have the Caravan partly or fully loaded.
Q. WHAT Trailer Plug DO I NEED on my car?
Our caravan hire fleet all have 12 pin flat type plugs however conversion plugs to 7 pin flat and round (large & small) are available at no extra charge.
Please note however that a 12 pin plug with a 12v power feed is required to run the fridge whilst in transit including activating AL-KO's ATC or BPC's iDC trailer control systems. For long trips it is highly advisable to upgrade your 7 pin plug to a 12 pin unit including power. Please note however that if your vehicle doesn't have electric brakes and we supply a wired portable brake controller, the fridge won't unfortunately run whilst you're travelling as the portable brake controllers aren't wired for power to run a fridge.
If you are wanting the fridge to operate whilst in transit, a 12 pin plug is required on your tow vehicle with wiring layout as follows:
Please also ask your auto electrician for an ignition cut-off solenoid to ensure that when you turn off your car ignition that it kills the power draw from your motor vehicle. If you don’t install this and stop for any number of hours, the caravan will continue to draw power from your vehicle to run the fridge which will consequently flatten your battery. When you are stationary without any 240v power, simply turn the fridge to gas so it continues to cool. Lastly, if you are hiring a portable EBC, pass through of power will NOT work unless you install your own EBC in your vehicle. Please contact us for further information.
Please note however that a 12 pin plug with a 12v power feed is required to run the fridge whilst in transit including activating AL-KO's ATC or BPC's iDC trailer control systems. For long trips it is highly advisable to upgrade your 7 pin plug to a 12 pin unit including power. Please note however that if your vehicle doesn't have electric brakes and we supply a wired portable brake controller, the fridge won't unfortunately run whilst you're travelling as the portable brake controllers aren't wired for power to run a fridge.
If you are wanting the fridge to operate whilst in transit, a 12 pin plug is required on your tow vehicle with wiring layout as follows:
- Pins 1-7 industry standard
- 6mm or 8mm power feed to pin 8
- Pin 8 loomed/bridged to pin 9
- Pin 9 loomed/bridged to pin 12
- Pin 10 Earth return
Please also ask your auto electrician for an ignition cut-off solenoid to ensure that when you turn off your car ignition that it kills the power draw from your motor vehicle. If you don’t install this and stop for any number of hours, the caravan will continue to draw power from your vehicle to run the fridge which will consequently flatten your battery. When you are stationary without any 240v power, simply turn the fridge to gas so it continues to cool. Lastly, if you are hiring a portable EBC, pass through of power will NOT work unless you install your own EBC in your vehicle. Please contact us for further information.
Q. What are the Fridge operation options?
Caravan fridges operate in 3 different modes:
Please note that if your hire requires an electronic brake controller and we retrofit one, you won't be able to run the fridge when travelling.
- 240v at a powered site or at home (15 amp to 10 amp adaptor required & available for hire)
- Gas only when stationary at an unpowered site
- 12 volt when towing (providing your vehicle has been wired up for it correctly with a 12 pin flat plug)
Please note that if your hire requires an electronic brake controller and we retrofit one, you won't be able to run the fridge when travelling.
Q. Will the Fridge work on 12 volt when towing the Caravan?
Yes providing your towing vehicle has a correctly wired 12 pin plug then the fridge will work when towing. If your hire also requires an electronic brake controller and we retrofit one, please be aware that you won't be able to run the fridge when travelling. We cannot also be held responsible for a fridge not operating if your vehicle electrics are incorrectly wired.
Q. Does my towing vehicle need to be insured?
Yes it is a requirement that your towing vehicle has a current Comprehensive Insurance Policy. Proof of such policy is required to hire our caravans.
Q. Caravan weights explained
Introduction
One of the most basic, yet most confusing things that caravanners face when buying their first caravan – is understanding the weights specified by the caravan manufacturer. Understanding what they mean and how they relate to the tow vehicle is very important.
In the past when the industry was less regulated, there were a large number of accidents caused due to overloaded or in some cased improperly loaded trailers and caravans. However strict regulations are now followed and they are enforced without exception in all states and territories throughout Australia. However the legislation only states, what you can and cannot do. To the common person the various weights specified by the caravan, and tow vehicle manufacturer is all but Latin.
The most common cause of confusion is the lack of understanding of the two different types of weights specified (relating to the caravan and relating to the tow vehicle). Once this basic difference is bought to light, the relationships between the various weights and their notoriously similar acronyms become quite evident.
Weights Specified by Caravan Manufacturer
The weights that are mentioned in this section are all specified by the manufacturer of the caravan. They are required by to be etched on the VIN plate and should be mechanically fastened to a permanent fixture of the caravan body (usually the chassis).
Ball Weight
Weight at the tow ball or coupling of the caravan, where it attaches to the tow vehicle is called Ball Weight. The ball weight specified by the manufacturer is when the van is empty. Depending on how a caravan is loaded up, and the distribution of the caravan about the axles – the ball weight can either increase or decrease. Caravan manufacturers also specify a maximum permissible ball weight, which is either 10% of the ATM (see below), or a maximum of 350kg – whichever is lower.
Ball weight for stable travel is generally recommended to be around 8-12% of the weight of the caravan. Too high a ball weight and the front of the tow vehicle is lifted up, causing reduction in steering response, and a tendency to understeer when taking a turn. However if the ball weight is too low, it can cause the trailer to become unstable and sway a lot. It s always recommended to check the ball weight after loading up a caravan to ensure that the ball weight is satisfactory.
In Fig.1 above,
Ball Weight = A
TareThis is the weight of the empty caravan specified when it is completed by the manufacturer. According to the Vehicle Standards Bulletin for Building Small Trailers – “It is the total mass of the trailer when not carrying any load, but when ready for service, unoccupied (if relevant) and with all fluid reservoirs (if fitted) filled to nominal capacity except for fuel, which shall be 10 litres only, and with all standard equipment and any options fitted.” The bulletin specifically mentions that “fluid reservoirs”, DO NOT include fresh water and waste water tanks. Even the gas bottles are empty when the Tare is determined.
When adding additional options to your caravan – always confirm with the manufacturer whether the additions, will be included in the Tare weight. Some manufacturers do not include additions such as extra jerry can holders, generators, bike racks…etc. in the Tare weight. They work around the VSB rule mentioned above by labelling these items as “optional extra”, which are not part of the standard equipment or “options” of the caravan.
In Fig.1 above,
Tare Weight = tow ball weight + weight at axles = A + C
PayloadPayload is defined as the total combined weight of all items, that are loaded in the caravan. Payload includes any item added to the caravan, that is not part of the Tare weight specified by manufacturer. This includes – water, fuel. food, clothes, annex equipment…etc. Caravan manufacturers are required by law to provide a maximum permissible payload, that must be clearly stamped on the VIN plate of the caravan. The Caravan Industry Association of Australia recommends a minimum payload of 300kg for single axle, and 400kg for tandem axle caravans. Caravan manufacturers usually only provide the minimum recommended payload. However, depending on the weight of the caravan and the rating of its axle and suspension components, some manufacturers will provide a 600kg payload, and in extremely rare cases even more.
In Fig.1 above,
Payload = B
GTM (Gross Trailer Mass)GTM is the maximum permissible mass (or weight) of the loaded trailer on the axles of the caravan only. In other words the GTM is the combined effect of the caravan weight and the payload on the axles. Because the GTM is the weight that the axle or suspension has to withstand, most suspension and axle component ratings are specified in “maximum GTM”. The GTM also determines the rating of the rims and tyres used on the caravan.
It must be noted that the GTM of a caravan at any given point is determined by the payload at the time.
In Fig.1 above,
GTM = Payload + Axle Weight = B + C
ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass)ATM is the maximum mass of the loaded caravan when carrying the maximum permissible payload as specified by the manufacturer. The ATM of a caravan is fixed, and stamped by the manufacturer on the VIN plate of the caravan. The ATM includes the weight imposed by the caravan on the coupling or tow vehicle, when the caravan is perfectly horizontal.
In Fig.1 above,
ATM = Ball Weight + Payload + Axle Weight = A + B + C
Weights Specified by Tow Vehicle ManufacturerThe weights that are mentioned in this section are all specified by the manufacturer car or tow vehicle. They are mentioned in the car's handbook and are usually tabulated and quite detailed. Understanding these weights and what they mean means knowing the limitations of your car. Similar to a caravans the car also has a Tare weight or Kerb weight, which is the empty weight of the completed car, with all standard options fitted.
Fig1. Caravan and Tow Vehicle Combined Weights
GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)The GVM of a car is the maximum that the vehicle can weigh at any given point of time. The cars suspension, rims and tyres are designed to handle the specified GVM of the car, which acts directly on the four wheels of the car and onto the road. By subtracting the Tare or Kerb weight of the car from the GVM we can find out how much payload we can legally carry in the car.
It must be noted that the payload in a passenger vehicle includes the weight of the occupants. As a simple example – consider a car with a Kerb weight of 1950kg, and the specified GVM in the handbook at 2500kg. Then we can safely say the car has a payload of 2500-1950 = 550kg. Now, if the car has two occupants weighing 80kgs each, then we can only carry 390kg (550 – 2 x 80), of equipment in the car.
A very important note that most people are unaware of is that when the car is hooked up the a caravan, the ball weight of the caravan also acts on the car body. The ball weight also acts as part of the payload, and must be deducted from the GVM to find out how much equipment can be loaded in the car when towing. As a continuation of the example mentioned above – if the car is towing a caravan with ball weight 300kg, then we can only load 90kg worth of equipment in the car!!!!
Once you add the weight of added equipment (bull bars, roof racks slideout fridges…etc.) it brings us dangerously close to the GVM limit of the car. Due to the lack of knowledge of how it all works, some people unwittingly end up overloading their car beyond the legal limit.
In Fig.1 above,
the GVM of the car at any point is the sum of the weight of car, weight of occupants and other equipment inside the car, and the ball weight of the caravan.
GVM = E = A + D
Towing CapacityThe towing capacity is the mentioned in the vehicle handbook. In Australia, by law the un-braked towing capacity of a car is always capped at 750kg. Depending on the car's chassis or body construction, and the power of the engine the braked towing capacity can vary from 2300kg to upto 3500kg. Due to 99% of cars having their towing capacity capped at 3500kg, caravan manufacturers always try to keep the ATM of their models below this limit.
There are some American Manufactured truck cars (Dodge Ram, Ford F150/250, Chevrolet Silverado…etc.), that can tow 4500kg to 6000kg depending on the model series. You can see them towing around some massive caravan setups, usually with 2-3 slideouts and even triple axle suspensions.
GCM (Gross Combination Mass)The GCM is the maximum combined weight of the car and the caravan together. This is probably the second most important weight to know apart from the towing capacity in order to accurately determine exactly how much equipment to carry. Most of us naturally assume that the GCM is the sum of the GVM and the towing capacity of the car in question. However this is rarely the case. The towing capacity mentioned by the car manufacturer is not always realistic.
For example, a Ford Ranger PX Dual Cab as the following weights mentioned in the handbook:
Tare = 2200
GVM = 3200kg
Maximum Braked Towing Capacity = 3500kg
GCM = 6000
From the above information we can calculate the following:
Maximum Payload when car is not hooked up to a caravan = 3200 – 2200 = 1000kg
Maximum Weight of the car when hooked up to a caravan weighing 3500kg = 6000 – 3500 = 2500kg
Hence, payload when towing a caravan weighing 3500kg = 2500 – 2200 = 300kg
This means the combined weight of
The weights and their relationships with each other, can still be too much to understand for some people. Please feel free to email us at Paramount Information any questions regarding the weight limitations of your caravan or tow vehicle.
One of the most basic, yet most confusing things that caravanners face when buying their first caravan – is understanding the weights specified by the caravan manufacturer. Understanding what they mean and how they relate to the tow vehicle is very important.
In the past when the industry was less regulated, there were a large number of accidents caused due to overloaded or in some cased improperly loaded trailers and caravans. However strict regulations are now followed and they are enforced without exception in all states and territories throughout Australia. However the legislation only states, what you can and cannot do. To the common person the various weights specified by the caravan, and tow vehicle manufacturer is all but Latin.
The most common cause of confusion is the lack of understanding of the two different types of weights specified (relating to the caravan and relating to the tow vehicle). Once this basic difference is bought to light, the relationships between the various weights and their notoriously similar acronyms become quite evident.
Weights Specified by Caravan Manufacturer
The weights that are mentioned in this section are all specified by the manufacturer of the caravan. They are required by to be etched on the VIN plate and should be mechanically fastened to a permanent fixture of the caravan body (usually the chassis).
Ball Weight
Weight at the tow ball or coupling of the caravan, where it attaches to the tow vehicle is called Ball Weight. The ball weight specified by the manufacturer is when the van is empty. Depending on how a caravan is loaded up, and the distribution of the caravan about the axles – the ball weight can either increase or decrease. Caravan manufacturers also specify a maximum permissible ball weight, which is either 10% of the ATM (see below), or a maximum of 350kg – whichever is lower.
Ball weight for stable travel is generally recommended to be around 8-12% of the weight of the caravan. Too high a ball weight and the front of the tow vehicle is lifted up, causing reduction in steering response, and a tendency to understeer when taking a turn. However if the ball weight is too low, it can cause the trailer to become unstable and sway a lot. It s always recommended to check the ball weight after loading up a caravan to ensure that the ball weight is satisfactory.
In Fig.1 above,
Ball Weight = A
TareThis is the weight of the empty caravan specified when it is completed by the manufacturer. According to the Vehicle Standards Bulletin for Building Small Trailers – “It is the total mass of the trailer when not carrying any load, but when ready for service, unoccupied (if relevant) and with all fluid reservoirs (if fitted) filled to nominal capacity except for fuel, which shall be 10 litres only, and with all standard equipment and any options fitted.” The bulletin specifically mentions that “fluid reservoirs”, DO NOT include fresh water and waste water tanks. Even the gas bottles are empty when the Tare is determined.
When adding additional options to your caravan – always confirm with the manufacturer whether the additions, will be included in the Tare weight. Some manufacturers do not include additions such as extra jerry can holders, generators, bike racks…etc. in the Tare weight. They work around the VSB rule mentioned above by labelling these items as “optional extra”, which are not part of the standard equipment or “options” of the caravan.
In Fig.1 above,
Tare Weight = tow ball weight + weight at axles = A + C
PayloadPayload is defined as the total combined weight of all items, that are loaded in the caravan. Payload includes any item added to the caravan, that is not part of the Tare weight specified by manufacturer. This includes – water, fuel. food, clothes, annex equipment…etc. Caravan manufacturers are required by law to provide a maximum permissible payload, that must be clearly stamped on the VIN plate of the caravan. The Caravan Industry Association of Australia recommends a minimum payload of 300kg for single axle, and 400kg for tandem axle caravans. Caravan manufacturers usually only provide the minimum recommended payload. However, depending on the weight of the caravan and the rating of its axle and suspension components, some manufacturers will provide a 600kg payload, and in extremely rare cases even more.
In Fig.1 above,
Payload = B
GTM (Gross Trailer Mass)GTM is the maximum permissible mass (or weight) of the loaded trailer on the axles of the caravan only. In other words the GTM is the combined effect of the caravan weight and the payload on the axles. Because the GTM is the weight that the axle or suspension has to withstand, most suspension and axle component ratings are specified in “maximum GTM”. The GTM also determines the rating of the rims and tyres used on the caravan.
It must be noted that the GTM of a caravan at any given point is determined by the payload at the time.
In Fig.1 above,
GTM = Payload + Axle Weight = B + C
ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass)ATM is the maximum mass of the loaded caravan when carrying the maximum permissible payload as specified by the manufacturer. The ATM of a caravan is fixed, and stamped by the manufacturer on the VIN plate of the caravan. The ATM includes the weight imposed by the caravan on the coupling or tow vehicle, when the caravan is perfectly horizontal.
In Fig.1 above,
ATM = Ball Weight + Payload + Axle Weight = A + B + C
Weights Specified by Tow Vehicle ManufacturerThe weights that are mentioned in this section are all specified by the manufacturer car or tow vehicle. They are mentioned in the car's handbook and are usually tabulated and quite detailed. Understanding these weights and what they mean means knowing the limitations of your car. Similar to a caravans the car also has a Tare weight or Kerb weight, which is the empty weight of the completed car, with all standard options fitted.
Fig1. Caravan and Tow Vehicle Combined Weights
GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)The GVM of a car is the maximum that the vehicle can weigh at any given point of time. The cars suspension, rims and tyres are designed to handle the specified GVM of the car, which acts directly on the four wheels of the car and onto the road. By subtracting the Tare or Kerb weight of the car from the GVM we can find out how much payload we can legally carry in the car.
It must be noted that the payload in a passenger vehicle includes the weight of the occupants. As a simple example – consider a car with a Kerb weight of 1950kg, and the specified GVM in the handbook at 2500kg. Then we can safely say the car has a payload of 2500-1950 = 550kg. Now, if the car has two occupants weighing 80kgs each, then we can only carry 390kg (550 – 2 x 80), of equipment in the car.
A very important note that most people are unaware of is that when the car is hooked up the a caravan, the ball weight of the caravan also acts on the car body. The ball weight also acts as part of the payload, and must be deducted from the GVM to find out how much equipment can be loaded in the car when towing. As a continuation of the example mentioned above – if the car is towing a caravan with ball weight 300kg, then we can only load 90kg worth of equipment in the car!!!!
Once you add the weight of added equipment (bull bars, roof racks slideout fridges…etc.) it brings us dangerously close to the GVM limit of the car. Due to the lack of knowledge of how it all works, some people unwittingly end up overloading their car beyond the legal limit.
In Fig.1 above,
the GVM of the car at any point is the sum of the weight of car, weight of occupants and other equipment inside the car, and the ball weight of the caravan.
GVM = E = A + D
Towing CapacityThe towing capacity is the mentioned in the vehicle handbook. In Australia, by law the un-braked towing capacity of a car is always capped at 750kg. Depending on the car's chassis or body construction, and the power of the engine the braked towing capacity can vary from 2300kg to upto 3500kg. Due to 99% of cars having their towing capacity capped at 3500kg, caravan manufacturers always try to keep the ATM of their models below this limit.
There are some American Manufactured truck cars (Dodge Ram, Ford F150/250, Chevrolet Silverado…etc.), that can tow 4500kg to 6000kg depending on the model series. You can see them towing around some massive caravan setups, usually with 2-3 slideouts and even triple axle suspensions.
GCM (Gross Combination Mass)The GCM is the maximum combined weight of the car and the caravan together. This is probably the second most important weight to know apart from the towing capacity in order to accurately determine exactly how much equipment to carry. Most of us naturally assume that the GCM is the sum of the GVM and the towing capacity of the car in question. However this is rarely the case. The towing capacity mentioned by the car manufacturer is not always realistic.
For example, a Ford Ranger PX Dual Cab as the following weights mentioned in the handbook:
Tare = 2200
GVM = 3200kg
Maximum Braked Towing Capacity = 3500kg
GCM = 6000
From the above information we can calculate the following:
Maximum Payload when car is not hooked up to a caravan = 3200 – 2200 = 1000kg
Maximum Weight of the car when hooked up to a caravan weighing 3500kg = 6000 – 3500 = 2500kg
Hence, payload when towing a caravan weighing 3500kg = 2500 – 2200 = 300kg
This means the combined weight of
- the occupants
- the fuel
- the ball weight
- any other optional extras and equipment fitted
The weights and their relationships with each other, can still be too much to understand for some people. Please feel free to email us at Paramount Information any questions regarding the weight limitations of your caravan or tow vehicle.
Q.
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Q. What do we need to bring?
A. All you need to bring is your linen, side mirrors to suit your vehicle (if required) and personal items. We can provide you with a Starter Pack to start your holiday including a selection of side mirrors which can be purchased if required. Q. Do we have to stay in a caravan park or can we camp on the side of the road? The most common place to stay is in one of the thousands of caravan parks all around Australia or alternatively you can free-camp. Camping overnight in "wayside stops" or "rest areas" is also very common in regional and remote areas all across Australia (local restrictions may apply in some areas). When looking for a "rest area" to camp in, look for areas that already have a few other motorhomes or caravans (other campers will make you feel more secure). Q. Do the vans come with Solar Panel Kits? Yes most do however please check each model to be sure. If you are requiring solar panels, please ensure you select "Free Camping" option when making your booking. Q. Can I take my pets away with me? We personally love pets however due to health regulations no animals are permitted inside any caravans sorry. Q. Do I have to clean the Caravan before I return it? All hires incur a mandatory discounted $99 cleaning surcharge which provisions up to 3 hours of cleaning so simply unpack your personal belongs and we will do the rest for you. No hassles, No worries. Please note however that excess soiling fees over and above the included 3 hours will be charged at a rate of $80/hr. Q. Do I have to fill the gas bottles before I return it? We are now pleased to offer a gas bottle refill service which eliminates the requirement for any hirer to have to remove used bottles, take them to a retailer to have them filled and then re-installed into the caravan. Simply bring back your van and we'll do this for you. This service is now mandatory. Price is only $20 for an 7.5kg bottle and $13 for a 3.75kg bottle. Q. What if I want to stay longer than I have booked? Luxury Caravan Hire will do everything in it’s power to accommodate all requests however during certain periods, caravans are fully booked and would need to be returned on time. Failure to return a hire on time will result in fees being deducted from the bond. Q. Do you hire Annexes? We are pleased to advise that we can offer fully enclosed annexes on a range of our vans. To check which vans have annexes please contact us. Q. Is there an age limit to hire a caravan? Yes you need to be over 25 years of age and under 75 years of age for touring hire. Q. Why is my fridge not cooling? The main power source to run a caravan fridge is 240v and gas. To cool a fridge to its operating temperature for use it must be level in all directions. If the caravan is not level, the fridge will run but won't cool. Even when perfectly level the fridge will take 4+ hours to cool and is best run overnight to reach optimum operating temperature & performance. When beginning to cool a fridge please set the thermostat to 50% capacity and only after 4 hours, then turn it up higher to make it colder. Q. Can you deliver and pick up the caravan for me? Yes, we can deliver anywhere in Australia and will provide you with an additional quote for this service. Normal pricing is $1.50/klm each way however always best to request a formal price as longer distances may be a little cheaper per klm. Q. Why is there condensation build up on the air con unit? Air contains moisture and this moisture tends to condense on cold surfaces. When air enters the Caravan, condensed moisture may appear on the ceiling, windows, metal parts, etc. The air conditioner removes this moisture from the air during normal operation. Keeping doors and windows closed when this air conditioner is in operation will minimise condensed moisture on cold surfaces. Q. Can I use 240v appliances on solar power? When free camping (no 240v power connected), no 240v appliance will operate when using either the onboard battery or via solar power as there are no inverters in any of the vans. |
Q. How much deposit is required to secure my booking? 25% of the total hire charge or $200 deposit (whichever is greater) is required to secure your booking. No booking can be finalised until the deposit has been paid and processed. Balance of all hire charges are due 30 days prior to travel. Q. Are there any hidden extras? Our hire rates include all Administration Fees, GST, & Caravan Insurance charges. If paying by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) however, a 2% surcharge will apply. In the event of an incident, the insurance excess is $1,000. Q. How much is the Security Bond? $1,000 processed onto a credit card on the day of pickup or 24 hours before delivery and refunded in approximately 15 business banking days of return of the caravan subject to adherence to the terms and conditions of the hire. Q. Do I need to fit electric brakes to my car before towing your caravans and campers? No, Australian Road Laws state that any trailer with a greater mass than 750kg must have electric brakes. If your vehicle doesn't have electric brakes you can hire a portable electric brake unit for a small fee. If you own a Ford Ranger however, you may need to install your own brake controller as their computer electronics have resulted in compatibility issues with the brake voltage feeds. Best to come and see us to test your vehicle if you are requiring a retrofitted portable solution. If you already have your own brake unit fitted then our portable electric brake unit will not be required. Q. How can I find out which caravans my car can tow? The towing capacity of your car will be listed on your tow bar, or on a sticker on the inside of your drivers side door or in your cars manual. Our website lists the minimum tow vehicle capacity and tow ball weight under the specifications section for each caravan. You can also call us anytime and we would be happy to help. Q. How far ahead do I need to book? To avoid disappointment we would recommend to book 6-9 months ahead for Christmas, Easter and bookings of 3 months or more, 6 months ahead for January, school holidays and bookings of 1-2 months, 3 months ahead for long weekends and we will have limited availability at all other times at short notice. Q. What hours can I pick up and return the van? Our trading hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm & Saturday by appointment only during the pandemic. Please note that we are closed on Sundays and all gazetted Qld public holidays. No caravan pickups nor returns are unfortunately available outside of these times. Hire vans need to be returned by 11am. Failure to obtain an authorisation for a rental extension will result in a late fee of AU$200 per day in addition to the daily rental rate for each day until the caravan is returned. Pickup time of your caravan needs to be scheduled so please ensure this is coordinated at the time of booking. For further assistance please don't hesitate contacting us. Q. Is there a limit to how many km’s I can travel? No, the only limitation is your hire duration, you can take our caravans Australia wide however there are strict restrictions regarding staying on sealed roads. No vans are allowed on dirt, gravel, corrugated or rutted roads, 4WD tracks, beach or sand. Please note that all caravans are fitted with GPS trackers to ensure no vans are taken off sealed roads. 
Q. Can I take a caravan off road?
All of our hire caravans are not to be driven on unsealed roads (being a road not sealed with a hard material such as tar, bitumen or concrete), dirt, gravel, corrugated or rutted roads or any 4WD tracks or on beaches or sand. All caravans are fitted with GPS trackers and the Customer is responsible for all damage if taken off sealed roads. Q. Do you supply side mirrors? The law states that you need to have mirrors in order to see behind the van. The trouble is that this is not a precise definition that specifies what distance behind the van you should be able to see and so there is a lot of confusion about how it applies. Unfortunately due to large variation of vehicle types and customer preferences for one type of extended side mirror over another, hiring side mirrors has become very difficult to accommodate therefore each hirer is responsible in supplying mirrors. We supply a very small range of mirrors and accessories for sale. To view Qld's Towing Guide including legal responsibilities please click here. If you are travelling interstate, please check with the respective state or territory in relation to what is your responsibility. |
