Any trip in an RV can be fantastic and memorable. With this form of vacation, your trip is not dependent on the availability of accommodations, as you always have your mobile home at your disposal. However, in order to have a relaxing trip in an RV or rental caravan, it is important to pay attention to basic safety issues and take the necessary steps before you leave. To do this, keep a few things in mind and pay attention to our suggestions and tips.
See our guide to preventing risks while traveling and securing your RV and rental car avan from theft.
What driver’s license is required to drive an RV or caravan? – Some details about the current regulations
If you’ve never been camping before, you may be wondering if any particular driver’s license is required for the trip. Fortunately, most campers and caravans can be driven with a category B driver’s license. An important factor is the total weight of the vehicle, which must be no more than 3.5 tons. To help you discern the options available on the market, a summary of the different types of vehicles and the permits needed to operate them.
Permits needed to drive an RV
When it comes to RVs, the weight of the vehicle is a major factor in determining the type of license required to operate it. In general, there are two different types of vehicles: those with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons and those that are heavier. So, depending on the type of license you have, you should pay close attention to the total allowable weight of the vehicle after loading. For more details on this topic, see the paragraph“Properly packing an RV or caravan.”
Three types of driver’s licenses should be considered when determining whether you are qualified to operate an RV:
- B: allows you to drive a vehicle with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons.
- C1: allows you to drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7.5 tons.
- C: allows operation of an RV weighing more than 7.5 tons.
Permits needed to drive a rental caravan
As with campers, caravans are classified by weight. In this case, however, the classification is a bit more complicated and is shown in the table below. Consider both the total weight of the loaded trailer and the weight of the car. Proponents of caravanning refer to such a collection of vehicles as a “sled.” Thus, we can distinguish various possible constellations in the case of “sleds.” See what options stand out when combining a car and a caravan, as well as what licenses are required to drive them:
- driving license classifications
- variety of harnesses
Cat. B
A car and caravan that, when combined, does not exceed 3.5 tons.
However, the weight of the car must be greater than that of the caravan.
Cat. B-96
The total weight of the team is greater than 3.5 tons, but not more than 4.25 tons.
The ratio of permissible gross vehicle weight to caravan must be kept constant at 1.33:1.
Cat. B+E
Vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7 tons.
At this point, the unladen weight of the car must be at least 33% greater than the permissible gross weight of the trailer.
Cat. C+E
The heaviest sets, with a total weight of more than 7 tons. You should also be aware of additional tolls, as the entire set weighs more than 3,500kg.
Many times the capacity of caravans is overestimated by those going on a trip. What are the dangers of driving an overloaded vehicle?
The least severe penalty is the charge for driving without a license and exceeding the gross vehicle weight limit. When a rental car avan is excessively heavy, almost all insurers refuse to cover it under a third-party liability policy! In the event of a collision, we lose the right to benefit from insurance.
What privileges does a Polish driver’s license give when traveling internationally?
The Polish document allows you to drive the same type of vehicles as in the country. You should not drive a vehicle that weighs more than 3.5 tons, although a license equivalent to the native B category would allow you to do so in some countries. Keep this in mind, as there is a possibility that a foreign rental company will provide a larger vehicle without realizing the above-mentioned restrictions. For this reason, always pay close attention to the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
The most important recommendations for safe travel by camper and caravan
Anyone who drives an RV will immediately notice that it is slightly different from the passenger car most of us own. The seats are much higher, which changes your view of the road. In addition, the handling and behavior of a car on the road is different from how a passenger car is driven. You’ll notice a lot of differences, especially when braking and turning. For this reason, it is important to prepare thoroughly for driving a motorhome or caravan. Before you hit the road, practice driving an RV or caravan on a maneuvering area. This will enable you to handle stressful situations such as parking or reversing, which can be very challenging for inexperienced drivers. Courses in this area are sporadically organized by driving schools. In order to assimilate the most key information as quickly as possible, this may be a good idea.
To be safe when pulling a rental car avan or operating an RV, keep the following in mind:
- Regardless of experience, it’s a good idea to occasionally remind yourself and practice the basic movements somewhere in a quiet backyard, since driving an RV is usually not a daily activity.
- By doing this, you can calmly review your driving practices for such a car and remind yourself how to properly brake, turn and park.
- When organizing a camping trip, it is a good idea to bring the car in advance for a full inspection. A qualified workshop will quickly identify and correct any defects.
- Before setting out on your first trip in a campervan or with a trailer, you should allow a little more time for driving than usual. In this way, you can reduce tension and get used to driving such a car.
- Make sure all your belongings, including luggage, are safely stored and secured before you leave. First of all, make sure the cabinets are properly locked to prevent them from being opened while driving.
- All passengers in an RV must wear seat belts. Depending on their age, if you’re taking children camping, you’ll need to make sure special seats are available.
- If you are taking your dog on vacation, be sure to properly secure your pet.
- Avoid traveling long distances in one continuous stretch when traveling. Regular breaks will help you stay fresh.
- When traveling long distances, remember to have a backup driver who can take the wheel if necessary.
- Make a note of the exact dimensions of the camper or caravan. In some circumstances, this may be necessary, such as when crossing bridges, parking in tight spaces or navigating in a construction zone.
- Install electronic safeguards against serious danger, such as a smoke detector or an alarm for your RV.
- Turn off the power to your car if you parked at a campsite during a storm. This will protect your car from electrical discharges that can cause unnecessary damage.
What speed limits should be observed when driving a camper and rented caravan?
When driving a camper or towing a trailer, the maximum allowable vehicle speed should also be taken into account. In general, RVs are referred to as “special motorhome” in the registration certificate. “Special motorhomes” are nowhere mentioned in the Traffic Law article discussing speed limits depending on the type of vehicle. Only cars, trucks and motorcycles are included. Interpretation of the regulations on this issue is complicated and disputes abound. What should you do to drive safely and legally? The best course of action is to follow the weight of the vehicle as a reference.
The following speed limits for campers and caravans apply in Poland:
Properly packing an RV or rental caravan.
Properly loading a camper or rented car avan and securely fastening things in it contributes to road safety and fuel economy. Here are some of the most important tips for properly loading a caravan and storing luggage inside an RV:
- Spread your goods evenly on the car so as not to overload any of the axles. The only axle on which a slightly higher load is allowed is the drive axle, as it increases the car’s grip. Overloading the rear of the caravan will lift the car up, making it lose traction – a very dangerous situation.
- The general rule of thumb for loading is to place the heavier items at the bottom of the stack, followed by the lighter items and luggage.
As an example, consider the following storage options:
- Hanging shelves: light clothing, powdered food, etc.
- Cabinets and baskets at floor level: beverages, canned goods, etc.
- In the back of the car: barbecue, camping equipment, etc.
- Make sure all bags (and other bulky goods) are properly secured with lashing straps.
- When driving, open shelves should not contain anything.
This will guarantee maximum safety and ensure that in case of braking your luggage will not shoot out like a slingshot. However, special care should be taken not to exceed the gross vehicle weight limit when loading. To determine the allowable amount of luggage, subtract the vehicle’s tare weight from the allowable gross weight. The registration card contains the above-mentioned information. However, it is important to remember that it is not only the weight of the luggage itself that matters, but also the weight of the passengers. If you are unable to determine this on your own, use special overrun scales at diagnostic centers or some auto repair shops.
Securing a rental camper and caravan against theft
Securing vehicles against theft is a key element in enhancing security. This will ensure that neither the vehicle nor any of its valuables are stolen. If you want to effectively prevent the theft of your mobile home, pay attention to the following security tips for RVs and caravans from Mobile Mazury Rentals:
- Lock the door to your RV. Install more locks and self-closing devices (mechanical or electromechanical devices that lock the doors when they are opened) at each vehicle entrance.
- Place your valuables in an ultra-secure safe or locker.
- Installing a special insert at the hitch of the caravan will prevent it from being unhitched from the vehicle without a unique key.
- Highly visible security measures have the power to deter theft attempts.
- It is worth installing an alarm in your RV or trailer.
- To make it more difficult to open sliding windows, add additional locks to them.
- Bicycles should be fastened with a bicycle buckle when traveling and during rest breaks if you are transporting them in a camper or caravan.
Placing security mechanisms in plain sight, where thieves can spot them immediately, is a very effective deterrent. Most will be discouraged by this from trying to break in. If you take proper care of your camping safety, you can relax and enjoy your trip in your mobile home. So familiarize yourself in advance with the techniques of driving an RV and caravan. You can be sure that in this way you will be prepared for any situation on the road. In addition, consider adding some larger security features.
