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My walk-around before every tow, short or long, and the reasons behind each step.
★★★★★5.0- Peace of mind
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From 25 reviews - 500+ happy customers
Over 15 years towing - 150,000+ km towed
And counting
Blog · 2 November 2026 · by Grant
People sometimes laugh at how long I spend walking around a caravan before I tow it, especially on a short local job. But after 15 years of towing other people's vans, I've learned that the boring two minutes before you pull out are what make the trip boring too. And boring is exactly what you want.
These are the checks I do every single time, in the same order, whether the van is going 10 km down the road or 1,500 km up the coast.
1. The coupling is locked, not just sitting on the ball
I lower the van onto the tow ball or hitch, lock it, and then lift the jockey wheel a few turns to make sure the coupling takes the weight and stays put. If it lifts off, it isn't locked. Then the jockey wheel goes all the way up and gets locked in place.
2. Safety chains crossed and rated shackles done up
Chains go crossed under the drawbar, so if the coupling ever let go they'd form a cradle and catch it. Enough slack to turn a tight corner, not so much they drag on the road. Shackles screwed up tight.
3. Breakaway cable connected
If the van has a breakaway system, the cable goes onto the car, not the chains. It's there to put the van's brakes on if everything else fails. It only works if it's connected.
4. Brakes tested before I leave the driveway
I plug in, check the brake controller sees the van, and set it for the van's weight. Then I roll forward slowly and test the van's brakes on their own. I want to feel them before I need them.
5. Every light, every time
Indicators, tail lights and brake lights on the van, checked from behind. It takes thirty seconds, and it's how the cars behind you know what you're about to do.
6. Tyres and wheels on the van
I look at every tyre for pressure, cracks and uneven wear, and check the wheel nuts. Caravan tyres often run out of life before they run out of tread, because vans sit still for months.
7. Everything closed, down and secured
Roof hatches shut, TV antenna down, windows latched, doors locked, step in, stabiliser legs up, gas off, and anything loose inside put away. An open hatch or a step left down is the most common thing I find on a walk-around.
8. One last lap
Before I get in, I do one more slow lap of the car and van. Nine times out of ten there's nothing. The tenth time is why I do it.
The point of all this
None of these checks is hard. The trick is doing them every time, in the same order, so you never rely on memory. If you'd rather hand the whole job over, that's what I do: door to door, insured for up to $250,000, with photos at pick-up and drop-off.
General advice from my own experience. Always follow your vehicle's and caravan's manufacturer instructions and your state's towing rules.
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Reviews
What customers say
25 Google reviews
Superb 5 Star Service from Grant!!!! Don't look elsewhere - Grant is the only choice for caravan transport.
Grant provided us with a seamless, worry-free way to transport our brand new van from Sydney to Brisbane. Grant jumped in to save the day, after our other transport option fell through.
Grant was professional, easy to deal with, provided incredibly detailed photos before transport, checked our van over before taking delivery from the dealer - and generally went above and beyond to get our van to Brisbane on time and in perfect condition.
We can highly recommend Grant and will definitely be using him again the future when the need arises.
Grant was so easy to deal with, fast response, turned up on time and was super helpful & friendly. Our van was delivered with peace of mind, safely to its destination. He kept me updated and sent me pics to confirm all delivered. Highly recommend and would use again.
Grant has been professional, punctual, collaborative and transparent with myself and my partner throughout the process. Very responsive with his messages and extremely patient with myself as a first time caravan owner.
Thank you Grant for Towing our caravan all the way from the Gold Coast (windy Mt Tambourine Roads!!) All the way to Kholo in one piece. He was kind enough to offer us advise on what to look out for too.
If you look at my profile, I rarely give reviews. Grant's service has been so exceptional that this is the least I can do to show our gratitude 🙏
Book him, you won't regret it
Grant towed our caravan from Brisbane to the Atherton tablelands. I highly recommend grant, he is professional and lets you know where he is each day. The van arrived safely and I could not be happier. Please consider this business. Great work grant.
Grant saved the day when our Landcruiser broke down and couldn’t tow the caravan to our annual holiday caravan park. Within a couple of hours he was here, helped with some hitching issues and had the van up at the camp spot by lunch - absolute lifesaver, couldn’t recommend him highly enough.
Cannot recommend Grant enough! He did a great job relocating our newly purchased Leader Gold from Brisbane to Port Stephens. Delivered in perfect condition and on time and at a great price.
Grant was very accommodating for our towing needs, including doing a second job for us on a Sunday at short notice due to an urgent situation. He & his lovely wife went above & beyond to help us out. Highly recommended.
My promise to you
No surprises. No runarounds.
Unfortunately, some operators quote low, then change the price, miss the pickup date or pass your van on to someone else. Here's what you get with me instead.
Some operators:
The price goes up after you've booked
The price I quote is the price you pay
No extra fees added on the day, and no "something's come up" phone calls.
Some operators:
Pickup dates that come and go
Your pickup date and time are locked in
I don't push your job back to wait for other loads. If I say Tuesday at 8, I'm there Tuesday at 8.
Some operators:
Your van handed to another company
I tow every job myself
No subcontractors, no strangers. The person you book with is the person who turns up.
Some operators:
Silence once your van's on the road
You always know where your van is
Photos at pick-up and drop-off, updates along the way, and you can call or text me any time.
Some operators:
Left on your own if something goes wrong
I stay with your van and sort it
If anything comes up on the road, I stay with your caravan and organise what's needed.
Why choose me
Relax. Your van is in good hands.
I'm Grant. 15 years towing and two laps of Australia in our own van, so I know what yours means to you. You'll always know where it is, who's driving it and when it'll arrive.
You always know who has your van
The person you talk to is the person who tows it. No subcontractors, no strangers.
Plan your day with confidence
Your pick-up time is locked in, and I never delay your job to fit in other loads.
Covered if the unexpected happens
Insured to $250,000 the whole trip, and if anything comes up on the road I stay with your van and sort it.
Join 500+ happy owners
A 5-star Google rating from people who were exactly where you are now.
Advice from someone who's been there
Two laps of Australia in our own van means you get tips on what to watch for, not just a tow.
Never left wondering
Live GPS location, photo updates and a real person to call or text, 365 days a year.
Why a LandCruiser, not a truck
Your van stays on its own wheels. And costs less to move.
I tow with my Toyota LandCruiser 200, not a tilt-tray truck. Here's what that means for you.
A lower price for you
A LandCruiser uses far less diesel than a truck, so your quote is lower. You're not paying to run a heavy tilt-tray truck up the highway.
No tilt tray, no underbody damage
Your van stays on its own wheels the whole way. There's no dragging it up a steep tray where it can scrape and damage suspension, plumbing, water tanks or the A-frame.
Right where you want it
Up the driveway, into the shed or under the carport. Low branches, house eaves and tight gates aren't a problem.
Into the tight spots
Narrow streets, backyards and squeezy caravan park sites that a truck can't get into, or can't get out of.
Towed the way it was built to be
Your van is designed to be towed on its own hitch and wheels, not carried. That's exactly how it travels with me.
Ready for the road
I carry spares and tools on every job, including hitches, wheel nuts and an air compressor, so small hiccups don't become delays.
What I do
Whatever's got you stuck, sorted.
You get a fixed price before you book, so you know exactly what you'll pay.
Get your new van home
Bought from a dealer, private seller or auction? Skip the stress of towing it yourself. It turns up at your door.
Moving or selling? One less job on your list
Your van gets to the buyer, your new home or your holiday spot while you focus on everything else.
Get it serviced without losing a day
It goes to the repairer and comes home when it's ready, while you get on with your week.
Start your holiday at the other end
Fly in and your van is already waiting for you at the other end. No long drive first.
Tow car broken down? Get your trip back on track
Your van still gets to the park or wherever it needs to be, so your holiday goes ahead.
FAQ
Common questions
How do you charge?
You get a fixed price before you book, so you know exactly what you'll pay. It's based on the distance and your van, with no surprises on the day.
Will you be the one towing my van?
Yes, always. I do every job myself in my own Toyota LandCruiser 200 series. No trucks and no subcontractors.
Are you insured?
Yes. Every caravan I tow is insured for up to $250,000 while it is in my care.
Can you tow on short notice?
Often, yes. Send through the form with your date in the notes and I will let you know straight away if I can fit you in.
My caravan isn't registered. Can you still tow it?
Not registered is fine. I move unregistered caravans all the time and sort the permit to cover it. The van does need to be safe to tow, and I always do my own checks before I hit the road.
Will I get updates during the trip?
Yes. I send photos and videos at pick-up and drop-off, plus updates along the way.