Safety has first priority. No matter whether you are camping with a tent or staying in a caravan, familiarize yourself with safety measures before you leave for your holiday.
Write down all important numbers (ADAC, consulate, embassy) that you might need in the event of an emergency at your holiday destination. Do not forget to include the service number of your bank in case you need to block your credit or bank card in the event of theft.
Always pack valuables in the trunk of your car so that they do not attract the attention of potential thieves.
Make sure to lock your car, even if you leave the vehicle for a short time. An alarm system might also be helpful. It is advisory to keep the doors locked while driving as well.
Be aware of speed limits! In Germany the same rules apply for caravans (up to 3.5 tons) as for standard passenger cars. This means:
The following applies to mobile homes/caravans from 3.5 to 7.5 tons:
Motorhomes weighing over 7.5 tons may not exceed the speed limit of 80 km/h on motorways. Outside of towns the speed limit is 60 km/h.
Car/trailer (caravan) combinations are allowed to drive 80 km/h outside of towns and on motorways.
For caravans the following applies: A hydraulic shock absorber for the wheels, brakes and tires (not older than 6 years) as well as a minimum speed category of L (120 km/h) are a must. The car must have ABS and may not exceed 3.5 tons in total.
Rule of thumb: the allowed total weight of the trailer may not exceed the weight of the empty car. For car-caravan/trailer the following rules apply:
Last but not least, do not forget to adjust the load on the coupling head for maximizing stability and safety of the trailer while driving.
