What do you need to drive a caravan in Europe?

Buying a caravan is an exciting experience and you can no doubt see yourself hitting the road and getting ready to drive to your very first mobile home. But before you jump in your car and start playing your holiday playlist, make sure you have the right gear. If you've never towed a caravan before, it's important that you know the basic equipment you'll need before you leave the driveway, garage or curb in front of your home.

Visible license plates

We know it may seem like a ridiculous statement to anyone who already drives, but it's important to have number plates on both your car and your caravan. Make sure the number plate on your caravan is the same as on your towing vehicle and is clearly visible to drivers behind you. You go one rent a car The Hague to hit the road with a caravan? You then have to buy an extra license plate that you then place on the caravan.

Additional mirrors

Caravans are wide; we've all been behind them on the highway to know so much about them. It is therefore logical that if you are towing a caravan, you will need a helping hand to see the road behind you on both sides. Exterior mirrors allow you to see past your trailer clearly. And besides being useful for your safety and that of others on the road, they are also required by law.

By law you must ensure that you can see at least four meters to either side of your trailer and 20 meters behind the rear of your caravan. The same goes for towing a tiny home or pop-up trailer. If you only take one thing away from this segment, remember that you can get a hefty fine if you don't install these mirrors properly. Moreover, you can also get a fine if you leave them on while driving without a trailer. Your car may look cool, but your bank balance won't if you forget to take them off!

Breakaway cable

When it comes to essential items, you can't get cheaper than the price of a breakaway cable. This little cable costs less than $10 and is crucial if you're towing anything behind your car. We know you don't want to think about an accident on the road, but if the worst happens and your caravan becomes detached from your towbar, the breakaway cable will activate your caravan's brakes, stopping it. Tip – Before you leave, check that the carabiner of the breakaway cable is securely secured in a hole on your towbar or is properly wrapped around the towbar and clicked into place. It's a small check that only takes a few seconds, but can save lives!

If you buy and use these three items, you can be sure that you can legally explore the European roads with your car and caravan.