In a few weeks, I'll be heading up to Scotland from Yorkshire for a few days, and this will be my first time towing a caravan (I've towed trailers before). The van belongs to my in-laws, and is a 2 berth, so I can't see any issues with the size/weight of it being a problem for the car, so fingers crossed it should be a relatively smooth trip. Any advice anyone can offer me?

#1 - Learn what 'Snaking' is - and how to control it (leave all the pedals alone, and take a firm grip of the steering wheel, allowing the vehicle to slow down progressively...)

Also - check this out: http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/downlo ... mended.pdf

Aitch

Apart from checking the nose weight of the caravan after loading, you'll find the X-Trail will tow it easily

Advice for towing:
Learn how long and wide your rig is
Learn to drive backwards perfectly (There are holidays spoiled by parking a caravan...
If you want to be sure, buy a towhook stabilizer
Be careful when you hit the brake pedal hard: your distance to stop can increase!!
Your car is (much) wider than solo.... Handy to know on narrow roads.
Overhaul takes a long time...
Do a little training on a empty parking lot.
Nice holidays.

P.S. In Holland it's forbidden to put someone (Mother in law..?!! ) in the caravan during driving. In UK also I presume....

Look at this: from 3.20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ipFApsFec

when reversing place hand at bottom of steering wheel, then push wheel the way you want
trailer to go, takes practice,

also remember your same as HGV and large vans,

http://www.abd.org.uk/know_your_speed_limits.htm

check the following is correct, I think its
60 on motorways
50 in 60 zone,
50 in 50 zone

and definitley not allowed in outside lane,
unless accident or told by police,

Weight distribution video

and when you turn right, the back of the van swings into the left lane,

and remember the safety chain, and not hook it on the towball, as these have snapped,

And grease the towball...

Wimbo if you have an alko stabilizer on the van which most have nowadays you need a clean dry towball. They work using friction pads which clamp onto the towball. Grease would ruin the internals and they aint cheap to replace. Probably could strip it down and clean but it would be a job as you would have to remove all traces of grease

NO NO NO if it is a caravan with friction pads in the coupling. Almost all are in the last 10 years.