DRIVER complacency and inexperience are among the major causes of caravan crashes, according to caravanner and former police accident investigator Geoff Gauci.

As a Victorian police officer for 35 years, Mr Gauci delved into hundreds of road smashes involving recreational vehicles.

The former sergeant told Caravanning News: "The major concern I found as an investigator was that caravanners want to get to their destination in the quickest possible time.

"This incorporates driving over long distances and at excessive speeds."

After retiring from the police force in 2010, Mr Gauci established his own Crusader dealership before being bought out by the Epping-based caravan manufacturer.

He began working for the company as factory floor manager, examining and perfecting the manufacturing of caravans.

"I examined and investigated product failure and other legal matters on behalf of Crusader," he explained.

Mr Gauci, himself an avid caravanner, said caravanners needed to be aware that towing a caravan was not as simple as driving a car.

Accidents could easily happen through lack of awareness, concentration, driver fatigue, speed, incorrect towing vehicle, incorrect loading, excessive weight, weather, environmental conditions, road undulations and other vehicles.

He suggests that the ideal distance to travel in one day is about 400km, with "reasonable breaks" every two hours.

"The ideal speed when towing a caravan is 90kph. Travelling faster than this becomes a costly venture on fuel costs and at the risk of others' lives," he said.

Mr Gauci "cringed" every time he heard caravanners boasting about towing at 140kph on the open road.

"I try to re-educate the person to understand the danger factors involved," he said.

"What caravanners fail to recognise is the fact that their vehicle is not equipped with a 'Flexi Steer', a device fitted to a vehicle whereby the faster the car travels the steering becomes harder.

"All SUV vehicles fail to have this device and when you're travelling at 90kph towing a 3000kg-plus caravan and you move your steering wheel either one inch to the left and right, this will cause your tow weight to become offset and Newton's Law of Inertia will come into effect.

"Then oversteering occurs, resulting in a disastrous situation."

Mr Gauci said oversteering could be a deliberate action in the following situations:

* In an emergency.

* A manufactured action when the caravan and towing vehicle are not weighted proportionally.

* Over-length caravans.

* The laws of physics apply when being approached or overtaken by a very large heavy vehicle (semi trailer or greater)

* Cross winds

* Undulations in the road surface.

"The electronic stabiliser now fitted to caravans does give some piece of satisfaction and safety in an emergency situation, but it can be counter productive if your caravan is not manufactured correctly or your load is not managed properly," he said.

Mr Gauci pointed out that caravanners often felt "mentally drained and fatigued" by the end of the day.

"Towing a caravan requires your full attention and concentration. You must constantly be aware of your surroundings, weather and road conditions," he explained.

"Failure to acknowledge these factors will result in an accident.

"Caravanning is meant to be an enjoyable experience taking in the pleasurable surroundings, not a race to get to your next destination before everyone else.

"Personally, I have experienced both sides ... as a retired investigator to now selling caravans.

"My professional ethics prohibit me from selling a caravan to a prospective purchaser when I know the vehicle or individual's capabilities are not present.

"If anything, as we get older we become complacent and blasé.

"Mentally, you're not as responsive as you once were and thus if you acknowledge some of the factors I have pointed out you may possibly prevent yourself from becoming a victim to your own human errors."