Motorhome and caravan towing in Adelaide
A motorhome that won’t start or a caravan with a collapsed wheel bearing can end a trip in an afternoon. We carry campervans, smaller motorhomes and caravans on our tilt tray once we know how tall they stand.
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In short
Campervans and smaller motorhomes fit a tilt tray when the loaded height suits the roads in between. Caravans come up the tray drawbar first on their own wheels. SA Best Towing moves them around Adelaide from its Angle Park yard. Text the make, model and overall height to 0457 300 057.
What we move
- Rental campervans
- Sprinter and Crafter based motorhomes
- HiAce and Transit campervans
- Single-axle caravans
- Tandem caravans that fit the tray
- Pop-tops and camper trailers
- Vans being relocated or sold
An old single-axle van with a torn roof
An older single-axle caravan sits on a sealed yard in the sun, the tilt tray parked beyond it with its amber lights on. The van is cream with a brown and green stripe down the side and a spare wheel bolted to the back. The front of the roof is broken open, torn sheeting standing up along the top edge. Sheeting that loose can peel away at road speed, so mention any roof damage when you call.
How motorhomes and caravans go onto the tray
The tray tilts until its tail touches the road. Here’s the order it goes in for motorhomes and caravans.
Height before anything else
A motorhome on a tilt tray stands much taller than it does on the road, and an over-cab bed or roof air conditioner adds more. We ask for the overall height and tell you on the phone whether it fits the tray.
Up the tray on its own wheels
A motorhome comes up like a big van, with the winch on the front towing point and someone at the wheel. A caravan comes up drawbar first, rolling on its own wheels, with the jockey wheel wound right up.
Chain the chassis, strap the tyres
We chain a motorhome at the chassis, front and rear. A caravan gets a chain on the drawbar and straps over its tyres, since a tight chain would crease the thin aluminium cladding.
A plan for a broken axle
A caravan with a dropped axle or a locked wheel won’t roll up the tray on that side. If a wheel is locked, say so on the phone so the driver can plan the load. For a dropped axle, text us photos and we’ll talk through how we’d load it, or tell you it needs a mechanic on site first.
What the driver watches for
The tail as the tray tilts
Motorhomes carry a lot of body behind the back wheels. As the tray tilts, that tail drops towards the ground, so give us the overall length when you call.
Awnings, hatches and aerials
Wind at highway speed gets under anything left loose. Before the truck arrives, lock the awning, shut the hatches and wind the TV aerial down.
Gas and tanks
Turn the gas bottles off at the valve. Full grey and toilet tanks add weight and slop around on corners, so empty them if you can.
What changes the price
Every job is priced on the phone before it’s booked. These are the things that move the number.
- Distance from Angle Park to the van, then on to the mechanic, depot or storage
- Overall height and length, and any detour around low bridges
- A caravan that can’t roll on its own wheels
- Caravan parks and driveways with little room to tilt the tray
- Night and weekend callouts
“The driver arrived quickly and was very professional and friendly. He handled my vehicle with care and explained everything clearly. The whole process was smooth, and I really appreciated how helpful and reassuring he was during a stressful situation.”
Questions about motorhomes and caravans
Answers to common questions. If yours isn’t here, ring and ask.
Can you tow a caravan with a broken axle?
Yes, with a bit of planning. On the tray the van rides off the road, so a broken axle or collapsed bearing does no more damage. The hard part is getting it up the tray when a wheel won’t turn. Text photos of the axle and wheel to 0457 300 057 and we’ll explain how we’d load it.
Can a tilt tray carry a motorhome?
A tilt tray can carry plenty of campervans and smaller motorhomes, as our photo of a Volkswagen-based motorhome shows. Ours has a 6.5-metre tray rated for up to 4 tonnes, so big motorhomes built on truck chassis are too tall or too heavy for it. Give us the make, model, length and overall height and we’ll say whether yours fits or needs a heavy tow.
Do I need to unhitch the caravan from my car?
Unhitch it if the ground is level and the coupling lets go, then park the car clear so the tray can line up with the drawbar. If the coupling has jammed on the towball, say so when you call so the driver knows before arriving.
Can you move a rental campervan for the hire company?
We move campervans and motorhomes to and from rental depots and repairers, for the hirer or for the company. Have the booking or job number ready, plus the depot address, and tell us who will sign for the van at the other end.
Will you tow a motorhome that’s been sitting for years?
Yes. Flat tyres, seized brakes and dead batteries are common on vans that have sat in a backyard. Mention them when you call. A seized wheel can’t roll up the tray, so the driver may need extra time on site, and that changes the price.
Can you get a caravan out of a tight backyard?
It depends on the access. The tray needs a straight run to the drawbar, and the truck needs room to tilt without hitting eaves, trees or overhead wires. Send a photo of the driveway and side gate. If the truck can’t get in, you may need to jockey the van out to the street first.
Also on the tray
Van towing
HiAces, Sprinters, delivery vans and people movers, including high-roof vans and two-van fleet moves.
Boat transport
Boats carried on their own trailers, for failed bearings and trips to the ramp, the mechanic or storage.
Light truck towing
Light trucks carried on our tilt tray, from pantechs to small tippers, with the height worked out before we book.