For Trouble-Free Tour

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 12

For Trouble-Free Tour

Caravans have been improved almost beyond recognition during the last 20 years. The slim well designed models of today have most of the comforts one would find in a modern home.

With the right type of car pulling them they will glide quietly and comfortably over the good highways New Zealand has and even the rougher back roads. They seem to have dozens of little cupboards and corners where the camping gear can be conveniently stowed away. Some even have full-length wardrobes and showers. Just after the last war things were different. A caravan trip could be a hazardous affair. The caravans themselves were something like the old Kiwi bungalow on wheels—a box-like

structure of hardwood frame and plywood mounted on a makeshift chassis. The fact is that in those days caravans actually looked and performed better in the stationary rather than motive position. Cars that towed them were not always up to much. Often when the two linked up they seemed bent on finding fault with each other like an unhappy couple after the first flush of wedded bliss. But for all the hardships the post war caravan pioneers endured they saw enough of the country and eked out enough enjoyment

to become addicted to caravanning. No, the worldly-wise caravanner looks to certain fundamentals before setting out to enjoy his three weeks’ annual leave. The car itself is probably more important than the caravan, being the instrument of motivation. Don’t overload it. Go over the radiator and cooling system thoroughly and take along some spare hose joints. Good driving will help to get you there and home again in one piece. Remember the gearbox and use it. Change down before the engine has almost

ground to a halt. ' This applies to both climbing and descending mountain roads. For you the speed limit is 40 m.p.h. and on the open road that is plenty no matter how powerful your car. If you loiter you are bound to be a thorough nuisance to other road-users. Use your rear vision mirror and when you see cars piling up in single file with no chance of passing you pull over to the side of the road. If you don’t you might find a traffic officer at

your window looking very angry. When you are stoping remember the weight on the tow bar. If you jerk to a halt the bar might end up prodding the back seat of the car. Changing down before braking is a good habit.. Towing a caravan is not beyond the ability of any reasonably capable driver. But one of the great hazards is “snaking.” It’s the swaying and bucking a caravan does sometimes when it is being pulled too fast. A check on the car’s speedometer might be the answer to this trouble. Also look in the caravan and see what weight can be shifted forward.