Towing Safely (Drive & manoeuvre a trailer)
Safe Towing Training — Hands-On, Practical Experience
Towing a trailer, caravan or horse float can be one of the most exciting parts of your driving experience. However, a momentary lapse in concentration, a poor driving manoeuvre, or an unexpected load shift can quickly turn it into a frightening, costly, and even life-changing experience.
Our towing and trailer courses are designed to give you real-world driving experience in a safe and controlled environment.
We focus on practical, hands-on training — no lecture-room theory — so you can build confidence, improve your towing skills, and reverse with confidence, even in tight spaces.
Whether you’re towing a caravan, camper trailer, boat trailer, or work trailer, our training helps you master the skills needed for safe, smooth, and stress-free towing.
Course Aim
Drive and Manoeuvre a Trailer is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to tow safely and effectively both on-road and off-road. You will learn proven, easy-to-master techniques for driving, manoeuvring, and reversing trailers of all types. With skills developed from decades of real-world experience, this course helps reduce stress, improve safety, and protect both your vehicle and trailer in every towing situation.
Course Content, In brief
This Tow Safely course addresses the general principles applied to towing including, but not limited to:
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Vehicle and trailer, caravan, camper-van, horse float, boat.
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Towing legislation, Vehicle & Trailer Specifications, and Dynamics.
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Trailer inspections, trip preparation, pre-departure checks,
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Loading positions & securing the load.
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Coupling & uncoupling.
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Causes, prevention and actions on trailer swaying.
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Safety chains, trailer brakes, brake-away system, manual over-ride braking (Redarc) and Load Equalisers.
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Correct seat positions and steering methods, to always be in control of the vehicle and trailer.
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Emergency Braking ABS, threshold, trailer braking and adjusting trailer brake bias. (controlling trailer both on road and off-road).
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Towing safely techniques, scanning and hazard awareness, include, but are not limited to:
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town, country, highway, residential, carpark.
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gravel, off-road (specific to semi-off-road caravan/camper-van dependent).
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Off-road camper-vans – negotiating ascents. descents in low range and recovery, if required.
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Driving to reduce wear and tear on the vehicle and trailer.
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Reversing a trailer/caravan:
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in a straight line;
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uphill, around corners.
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into tight areas.
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90 degrees left and right.
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Emergency situations, such as:
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Tyre blow out, brake failure.
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Flat Tyre Changing.
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Trailer Swaying (causes, avoiding and action on trailer swaying).
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Causes and preventing Trailer Bounce/Porpoising. or
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Mechanical failure with your trailer.
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The day consists of a variety of road and traffic conditions designed to cover all areas of trailer use in off road and on road situations.
Practical Training Area
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We will arrange a convenient meeting location and a practical driver training area tailored to your vehicle, trailer / caravan capabilities.
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Each course is designed to give you hands-on driver training, improving your skills and confidence when towing, reversing, and manoeuvring in real travel situations.
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Our exclusive Driver Training Facility at Kurwongbah has been purpose-built to replicate the terrain and conditions most drivers encounter when towing caravans, manoeuvring trailers, or handling 4WD vehicles. This ensures your training experience is both realistic and highly practical, preparing you for safe and confident driving on and off the road.
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Book your training today and gain the skills, confidence, and peace of mind you need for every journey.
Additional Course Information
Course Timings
The Towing Safely Course runs as a half-day program, typically lasting 4–5 hours.
Group Booking Training Areas
At Bespoke 4WD Education, we specialise in designing and delivering client- and group-specific driver education.
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The Towing Safely Course can be tailored for groups travelling in convoy—whether for on-road journeys or remote expeditions such as the Simpson Desert, Cape York, or the Kimberley.
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All training is fully portable, meaning we can deliver the course at locations familiar to your group’s 4WD and towing environment.
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Our make-specific training covers all mandatory towing safety elements while being contextualised to meet the unique requirements of your vehicles, trailers, and travel goals.
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What Participants Need to Bring
To ensure a safe and effective training experience, participants are required to bring:
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Your 4WD vehicle with trailer (one vehicle and trailer may be shared by up to two participants).
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Caravan/trailer, ideally packed as you would for travel.
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Fuel – at least half a tank.
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Valid driver’s licence (will be checked prior to course commencement).
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Clothing suitable for the conditions: minimum long-sleeved shirt, long pants, enclosed shoes with good soles, and a hat.
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Sun protection & insect repellent.
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Notebook and pen (optional, for note-taking).
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Food & drinks – morning tea, a light lunch, and plenty of water (especially in warmer months).
