View an extensive range of towing equipment and accessories for your caravan. From jockey wheels and electric brake controllers to towbars and sway control kits, we’ve got you covered for your key towing accessory needs.
Check out the selection below and refer to our FAQs for more information. If you need any help with a purchase, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Autobox team - we’re here to help.
FAQs About Towing Equipment
What Essential Towing Equipment Do I Need for My Caravan?
Some key towing equipment that can truly enhance and improve your caravan safety and functionality include the following:
- Electric brake controllers: If your caravan is legally required to utilise electric brakes, then you will also need to have an electric brake controller installed that allows your caravan to brake in sync with your towing vehicle.
- Jockey wheels: Mounted under a caravan’s tow hitch, jockey wheels help simplify the process of hitching, maneuvering and leveling your caravan.
- Towing mirrors: These mirrors are specifically designed to extend the driver’s rear and side visibility while towing a caravan, which significantly improves overall safety.
- Sway control kits: These kits are a fantastic option to help reduce trailer/caravan sway and improve overall stability as you tow.
- Towbar/towball kits: If needed, you can also make use of towball kits rated for weights of up to 3,500kg. A good option if you a) don’t already have a proper towbar/towball setup or b) the current setup doesn’t support the weight you need it to support.
Are Towing Mirrors Mandatory in Australia?
In most cases, when towing a caravan or a trailer that obscures the view of your vehicle’s standard mirrors, towing mirrors are legally required.
These rules require drivers to have an unobstructed view along the full length of their caravan as well as an additional 20 metres behind it. Drivers also need to be able to see 4 metres on either side of the back of the caravan. So, in most cases, towing mirrors will be mandatory.
When not towing a caravan, however, the towing mirrors must be removed or folded in for safety reasons.
Do I Need a Brake Controller for My Caravan?
Yes, if you need to use electric brakes with your caravan, then you will need to use a brake controller that ensures your caravan brakes in sync with your towing vehicle.
How Do Sway Control Systems Work?
There are two key sway control systems that exist to help reduce side-to-side movement. These work as follows (in simple terms):
- Passive sway control (friction-based): Uses a friction bar or sway control device that’s mounted between a caravan’s A-frame and the tow vehicle’s hitch. It resists sway by creating drag/friction. It’s always active and well-suited to smaller and mid-sized caravans.
- Active and proactive sway control (electronic/hydraulic): These are more advanced than passive sway control, and automatically kick in only when sway is detected. Once side-to-side motion is detected, the system applies the caravan’s brakes to counteract sway. This form of sway control is best suited to larger caravans or high-speed towing.
Can I Tow a Caravan Without Electric Brakes?
Some caravans can be towed without the use of electric brakes, but this only applies to caravans with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) of 0 to 750kg. Caravans that exceed this mass must make use of braking systems like electric brakes.
Are All Towing Accessories Universal or Vehicle-Specific?
In our range of caravan towing accessories, you’ll find products that can be suitable for several caravan types and brands, while others may be purpose built for specific manufacturers. If an accessory is designed for a specific type of caravan or manufacturer, it will be noted in the product details.
