5 towing tips. | I've learnt a lot.

Hey everyone welcome back. After saying i was gonna do a 5 tips series it's time I got back to do at least another after all the vlogs I've done.
Towing a big caravan around can be pretty intimidating, and after having some issues early on for us, I thought it would be helpful to put these 5 towing tips together of things I've learnt and whats helpped me when we know we are going over big hills or somewhere remote.
#towing #towinglife #bigrig

[@karenhealey935]

Good tips. Unless you have experience of towing a large vehicle, joe average driver has no clue about what it takes to slow and pull into a layby. Laybys are not always adequately sign posted or can be on a camber and as you have mentioned can be deeply rutted. We never stop on a hill.

[@leopardsgowild]

Yea it's def not a garden trailer aye. The feeling of your home behind you, the weight, the brakes it can be a lot to manage.

[@davekerr8133]

Good sensible tips there, Mike. Caution is always the key when it comes to towing. I've done a lot of it. And, when people give advice or should I say "their opinions," always question it, and only do what feels safe for you. I enjoy following you. You certainly showcase NZ in your posts. 😊

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh mate, you see a lot of opinion posts out there... When our caravan brakes weren't engaging there is no way we would be able to stop, crash is the best option, which is a sickening feeling... I want to trust my gear, feel safe and enjoy my travels.

[@Longtimerolling]

Great tips! I tow a similar caravan around and it's good to know there's no other major things to watch out for.. I've also pulled over to let people pass going up a hill, and it wasn't easy to get going again on the gravel.. it's not worth being a nice guy sometimes.

[@leopardsgowild]

yea mate, the gravel really can make it difficult, sometimes theres a big pot hole or the edge has been eaten out, my days of being overly courteous are over, I do like to let all the traffic behind me be gone though, makes towing easier when the road is yours.

[@lifeontheroadnz6900]

Great video. Thanks heaps for the Google maps elevation tip, never knew that

[@leopardsgowild]

yea it's pretty awesome to have that little feature, just have to becareful it keeps you on the route you intend to drive, cause it can try and take onto the back roads.

[@jameswhite1692]

I have that exact vehicle and can’t wait to get it out there with an 18-19 foot caravan. Good tips thanks.

[@leopardsgowild]

you'll be blitzing it with a lighter caravan, ours is such a work horse.

[@matthewnoy3418]

Great tips Mike, bloody awesome. As always, thanks for sharing. Appreciate your insights and love watching your adventures. I’m in awe of the experiences you are giving your family. You guys are just awesome and an inspiration. Thanks again for sharing. Cheers. Matt.

[@leopardsgowild]

thanks a lot mate. It's a privilege to live this life and it's cool to share with ya'll. Hope you saw the southern lights tonight.

[@steveschembri7156]

Very good and sensible advice.

[@leopardsgowild]

thanks mate, some of it's basic, but a bit of reassurance from someone whose done a bit of travel can help.

[@DeneOLoughlin-ek9ee]

Hi Mike, if you want an alternative far less steep route to Arthurs Pass, try going to Lake Coleridge and camp at the POP. Take the car and suss out the road to Lake Lyndon. It's gravel and about 20km but we found it really easy with the van. You could then explore the Pass road, and return the same way.

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks for that, we do want to check out the castle hill area as well, and lake pearson looks like a nice spot... the otira gorge scares me... Lake coleridge is another spot we've not been to.

[@DeneOLoughlin-ek9ee]

@leopardsgowild Otira is fine going up until you get a truck going really slow and that could be tricky with a manual. But the Coleridge to Lake Lyndon option is really easy gradient wise, just a case of it being a gravel road. It was in really good condition early March with very little traffic.

[@stevepiper1925]

Great tips and advice Mike, we are that new at this, we still waiting for our van. It will be the first time ive towed a van!!! So all tips erc greatfulky accepted. A question would you tow over mount messenger? When i pick the van up we have to come back from Palmerston north. As always totally enjoy following you guys, keep it going. Steve

[@leopardsgowild]

hey mate, Mount messenger is pretty easy from my memory, been over there a few times. It took us till the South island to get our brakes working and balanced, and when it's all working as it should towing is pretty easy, Even Napier taupo road last week was a very easy tow and thats got some big climbs and decents. Arthers Pass is probably the only highway I wouldn't tow our current set up with.

[@stevepiper1925]

Thank you for this

[@davidsemaine5385]

Great advice Mike. We have a similar set up to yours although auto. I've towed over Arthur's Pass on numerous occasions, both ways, and you definitely need your wits about you. Going the long way is the best option sometimes

[@leopardsgowild]

Arthers pass is a trip and a half aye, loads of people do it. I guarantee we'd have issues with our set up, the amount of times I've smelt the brakes on our caravan, we'd be cooking going down there, probably do able, but one thing goes wrong our only option would be to crash, I don't like that idea.

[@CHillAdventures]

great episode mike,,, we dont have hylux over there so when some1 has 1 its like a forign import! deff a rough go of it out there , pretty flat in michigan but where i grew up in Colorado is a different story,,, hope everyone is staying warm and happy! cheer leopards!

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks Cam... Colorado is such a cool state, some epic mountain scenary, as well as the edges of the desert. I think the hilux is similar to the tundra for Ya'll. Enjoy those spring surf sessions bro.

[@MaureenKeene-ix3ic]

Great tips, Mike. I like how you are considering your family in your towing decisions. Not sure I would be keen on towing over Arthurs Pass either. Drove my Hiace Van over it a year agon and that was stressful enough without towing anything. My husband is very experienced at towing but I do get worried about all that weight (same size caravan as yours) behind our Ford Ranger XLT - we have done our weights and while all legal and the numbers stack up - its still stressful knowing your home is behind you!

[@leopardsgowild]

thanks for the comment, yep towing these big caravans is a real task. just because it's doable might not give you peace of mind. I reckon we could tackle Arthers Pass, it would be a 1st gear scenario for us and a lot of stress on the truck and the caravan pulling and braking... I just don't see it worth while... I think if your in a Uk Caravan, or something lighter I'm sure it's fine, or even if it's a heavy caravan and your vehicle seems very capable go for it... But for me I don't feel confident in our set up to do it, so I think I choose to feel safe, despite what others might think or recommend, after all it's supposed to be a relaxed lifestyle right.

[@MaureenKeene-ix3ic]

@@leopardsgowild Go with the stressfree, I say...

[@BareKiwi]

Awesome tips bro!

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks mate. Hope the travels are going well.

[@maxinevanderzwet5346]

Well done love your work ❤

[@leopardsgowild]

Thank you.

[@markaction09]

Great genuine tips, love the emphasis on safety, and balance of being courteous

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks mate. I think you have to balance it aye, otherwise it becomes to hard on the person towing... I don't even reckon we are slow, often we are right behind other vehicles.

[@nzhillbilly6468]

Awesome tips, better to be safe than sorry, keep up the good work, love ya vids, cheers Mike.

[@leopardsgowild]

feeling unsafe is a horrible feeling like walking through a rough part of town in the dark, Its nice knowing you did all you can to be safe.

[@brianna56ism]

Thanks for the tips Mike they are awesome. Just like your family. Cheers team Kawerau

[@leopardsgowild]

Awww you guys are too cool. hope your doing well, we'd love to have a swim in the hot pools, it's cold out here. ...

[@allantaylor3288]

Great tips thanks Mike. Just common sense at the end of the day mate👍❤️

[@leopardsgowild]

some helpful tips about the google maps and stuff, I found that really helpful.

[@darthgeoff2011]

Appreciate the videos man iv used a few tips you've mentioned in your videos.

[@leopardsgowild]

oh thats great. we've learnt a lot over the last few years... Still learning as we go as well

[@tianashepherd1790]

Hi Mike love your video's, we have a similar size caravan ,do you have a red arc electric braking system in your truck to the caravan?, this allows you to use your caravan brakes and take load off your utes brakes work's great in our van ,cheers Ike.

[@leopardsgowild]

hey there, we have witi brake system which works well, we've had a few issues early on which seem to be resolved now.... Toyota don't have the best reputation for brakes so I wonder if thats half the problem, but we seem sweet these days... Still don't think arthers pass is worth it with our current set up, I think we're just a bit to heavy, and the caravan really pushes us.

[@millars4]

Great video Mike. These are hard to make and you do a really good job. We are towing an Aussie van with the Next gen V6 Ranger. Its a dream for towing but not as reliable as the Toyota Hilux.

[@leopardsgowild]

I'm greatful I got our hilux off my dad who got it new... I knew it had been looked after.

[@mattbreingan7247]

Good video Mike getting anxious with people behind me stresses me out. Also found that a stressful tow experience has a negative impact on the trip itself. Have many times worried the about the return trip or getting out of a tight spot.

[@leopardsgowild]

yea mate for sure, a stressful tow isn't fun... I'm glad everythings working well for us know, it's not a nice feeling when brakes don't work, or your trapped at a dead end road.

[@marleymarl0]

Awesome mate

[@leopardsgowild]

Thank you.

[@KiwiWanderers]

Well Done Mike good info We are doing the arthur's in a few days for the second time its a spectacular road but as you say a bit daunting...Cheers Greg and Sandy

[@leopardsgowild]

Go you guys. I'm sure you will be fine, it's one of these things about knowing your gear and your rig... I reckon we could pull it off, but it would stress me out so much. I'll save this space for another time, plenty of years of travel left I hope. Enjoy your travel and safe journeys to ya'll.

[@leandalynch975]

great videos ta

[@leopardsgowild]

Glad you liked it.

[@charliekemp6834]

good tips even for small trailer boats etc! good stuff bro

[@leopardsgowild]

yea it's pretty universal... When we stayed at Robin hood bay on Marlborough there's a good hill down to the beach, every vehicle that came down smelt of hot brakes.

[@charliekemp6834]

@@leopardsgowild yikes , such a bad smell too

[@leopardsgowild]

@@charliekemp6834 oh heck yea, it's horrific... Instant stress for me.

[@RadRoadAdventures]

Some great tips, liked the Google elevation tip. Your manual would be great at downhill vs an auto maybe?

[@leopardsgowild]

yea I think manual is better for this kind of towing, a lot of the autos will have tiptronic and then just use that function if they can. I really feel like the hilux doesn't have good brakes or good engine braking lol. 2nd gear, the caravan gets the reeves up so hi, that you still need to brake quite hard.

[@AP-kn1mp]

100% agree

[@leopardsgowild]

Thank you.

[@Andre-yz4bx]

Also thought that truck would breeze the passes. Know a couple guys towing heavy boats on those trucks

[@leopardsgowild]

The truck does breeze the passes, but only about 45km an hour on the long steep climbs. There are 5 of us, and our caravan is pretty heavy 2.8 tonne empty. I think some of our initial issues with the brakes has made me cautious. When you know that you can't stop and crashing is your only option it's not a nice feeling, which is exactly the situation when the caravans brakes don't work.

[@montyspearo]

Job advice. Recently towed caravan west to east over Arthurs pass. Didn't think about it until I saw towing not recommended, that is one seriously steep hill near top. We had no problems as power wasn't issue. Don't attempt it unless you have plenty of power and traction, may not get rolling again if you have to stop. I can relate to your episode on Haast pass, normally tow with AWD so its not been an issue but recently towed caravan with front wheel drive car and struggled to get traction in gravel and that was on flat. Also those gravel laybys are typically full of pot holes. Out of curiosty how often have you needed 4wd?.

[@leopardsgowild]

Hey mate, I like being more cautious towing our house around I think some risks people take are unnessary, but I think if you have the right set up, then your sweet right. Knowing your gears limitations is vital especially regarding feeling safe and being safe. we generally just stay in 2wd unless we're on a hilly, gravel rd, never towed in 4x4 on the tarseal apparently it wrecks your diff. We've used 4x4 low range on a couple of occasions to get into a tight spot or reversing up a hill to save the clutch.

[@blakebernhard1292]

Some really great advise We have also been looking at some steep aeras and didn’t consider brake fade Is your van running 4 x 10” drum brakes? Is there any aeras you have found it you needed 4x4? I’ve got a similar van but only a 2WD Ute Want to go through hammer springs and a few out south island aeras

[@leopardsgowild]

I think we are on 10inch drums... all tires are braked. We have never towed on tarseal in 4x4, I think we'd damage the Diff. Hanmer springs is tarsealed unless your planning to come through molesworth which doesn't allow caravans. It's an easy drive on the main roads to Hanmer springs.

[@paulackers5080]

Great informative video, just a question has your Toyota had any suspension upgrades ?

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks 😊 no upgrades. I did ask if we should do anything like that, they said, no it's made for hard work

[@tinyhousehybrid5210]

Thanks Mike some good tips there! How would you rate the Napier - Taupo to the rest of the country?

[@leopardsgowild]

It's up there, some other parts are more windy... Dunedin is probably some of the worst... stay to the main rds there, that place is out the gate for towing. Gisbourne to Napier is a much harder tow than Napier taupo.

[@tinyhousehybrid5210]

@@leopardsgowild thanks good to know! I cut 50mm off my chimney the other day to stay under 3.8m high. 🤣🤣 over hanging trees is another thing for me to watch out for. I am always looking at your clips when you are filming on the road to see if I am happy to fit under any trees you go past 😜

[@bomax1066]

Good video Mike. What is the weight of your caravan

[@leopardsgowild]

Hey Bob, caravan is a very light 2.78 tonne with nothing in it... we've tried to keep the inside as lite as possible.

[@bomax1066]

So is the gvm 3.5, she looks a big unit.

[@leopardsgowild]

@@bomax1066 yes, all the Aussie vans are generally around this weight, which is pretty high..

[@bomax1066]

Yes, I know. Am looking at getting one.

[@user-rp7lj4tv7x]

I definately use Satellite view, and occasionally street view to confirm whats at the end of a road, check access around tight spots, pottential parking areas in new towns etc. Very handy. Some of those big down hills, don't be afraid to stop a couple of times and let the vehicle and caravan brakes cool down a bit. We did this twice on the way down the Crowne range into Arrowtown. Agree about Arthurs pass - it's a great place to visit without the caravan, no need to tow it through there.

[@leopardsgowild]

It's so good we have that technology aye, to be able to zoom in and check an area out, I used to use street views to see if I could access fuel stations as well, our old retro would always bottom out.

[@michaelaotearoa3839]

I have a sign on the back "I will pull over when able."

[@leopardsgowild]

thats a good sign to have. I also like it when people mention how far it is to pass.

[@krishaini8714]

I also have a sign...."if you think this is slow, wait till we go uphill"

[@leopardsgowild]

@@krishaini8714 I like this sign lol

[@krishaini8714]

@leopardsgowild lol...love the videos brother. Never seen NZ the way you guys show it. Because of your videos, I'm hoping to do a round trip in NZ in the years to come. Love and respect from Aus. Keep it up champ

[@glenwillson5073]

Down hill assist? With a manual diesel, down hill assist is supplied by being in a low enough gear for the graident in 2WD. You don't need to be in 4WD High or Low. (My van is only 15.5 feet though)

[@leopardsgowild]

I think I said those things??? can't tow on the tarseal in 4x4 youd ruin the diff so I hear. I think I recommended what ever gear you go up the hill in is a good gear to go down the hill, for us thats typically 2nd gear. Our caravan can really give us a good push on a down hill, so it feels like our braking can be quite excessive.

[@glenwillson5073]

@@leopardsgowild Yes, that's right you did mention down hill gear selection. I think I was thinking, that is the "down hill assist" in a manual. My van is 1.4 ton max allowable fully loaded tops, and it still pushes me down hill somewhat in second gear but it's not too bad. Mostly flat towing here in oz though.

[@Thehoover94]

Have you had ur set up weighed mate ? Interested to see if you could be over ur weight

[@leopardsgowild]

No we haven't done a full set up weigh, we know the caravan was 2.78tonne empty, so We'll be pretty heavy. should be under 6tonne total though, we've tried to stay lite, with no bikes and bbq etc.

[@TylerDurden775]

Can I please ask, when towing on the highway, are you staying in 5th, rather than 6th? Or even as low as 4th? Buying a manual N80 Hilux this week to tow a van for the family.

[@leopardsgowild]

You can definitely ask. Pretty much in 4th gear 90kms an hr reeves are sitting just over 2,000rpm I'll go 5th gear on a 2lane expressway that's flat and straight but 4th feels much better

[@TylerDurden775]

@@leopardsgowild Thanks heaps.

[@gdog1443]

Have you been through a clutch yet?

[@leopardsgowild]

Still on the same clutch mate, the only thing thats been done to the truck is a new set of brake pads and disks, after towing our caravan all over the North Island with no brakes working on the caravan lol.

[@Andre-yz4bx]

240,000km or 24,000km on the truck? Thats a lot of km for a truck thats not very old

[@leopardsgowild]

240,000km... Brought the truck from my dad, who lives in Tolaga bay and would commute most weeks back to Napier, he did 194,00km in 3 years we've added 45,000km to that in the next 3 years.

[@montyspearo]

Its Toyota, at 240,000 its just run in.