Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to safely tow a recreational vehicle within a caravan park or confined workplace space and on the open road.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency applies to those involved in the manufacture, service and repair, or sale of recreational vehicles. It may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.

This unit assumes possession by the driver of a current driving licence. Driving must be carried out in compliance with the licence requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority. Type of vehicle driven must comply with that permitted by driver's licence.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess safe towing weight of recreational vehicle

1.1. Calculate the gross weight of recreational vehicle and determine aggregate mass

1.2. Check towing capacity of towing vehicle

1.3. Check and adhere to tow bar capacity of towing vehicle

1.4. Confirm the weight ratio of recreational and towing vehicle as safe in accordance with state/territory requirements and regulations

2. Prepare for towing of recreational vehicle

2.1. Prepare recreational vehicle for towing

2.2. Conduct pre-operational checks on towing vehicle and recreational vehicle

2.3. Carry out any minor routine repairs

2.4. Report any complex faults and repairs to appropriate person and coordinate repairs

2.5. Identify and act on relevant statutory regulations to reduce possible injury to self and others

2.6. Attach recreational vehicle to towing vehicle in accordance with manufacturer and state/territory specifications, requirements and regulations

2.7. Check visibility and adjust position of mirrors, if necessary

3. Safely tow recreational vehicle on an open road

3.1. Identify and comply with national and state/territory road rules and laws

3.2. Show courtesy and consideration to other road users

3.3. Manoeuvre recreational vehicle in forward and reverse directions and park in accordance with requirements, manufacturer instructions and traffic regulations

3.4. Identify any driving hazards and avoid or control them, using appropriate defensive driving techniques

3.5. Follow appropriate procedures in the event of a driving emergency

3.6. Constantly monitor and act upon traffic and road conditions to enable safe operation and ensure no injury to people or damage to property, equipment, loads and facilities

3.7. Reverse recreational vehicle to parking position, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning

4. Safely tow vehicle in the workplace

4.1. Attach recreational vehicle to towing vehicle correctly and safely

4.2. Check visibility and adjust position of mirrors, if necessary

4.3. Identify any obstacles or hazards in planned route and remove or avoid, as appropriate

4.4. Safely tow recreational vehicle to required space and reverse in carefully

4.5. Position recreational vehicle as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• using tools and equipment correctly and safely in simple, routine maintenance and servicing of recreational vehicle in preparation for towing
• monitoring and anticipating traffic and other hazards and taking appropriate action
• using safe driving techniques relative to conditions
• calculating weights and towing capacity of vehicles

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• state/territory road codes and laws
• weight-to-vehicle towing ratios set by state/territory authorities and manufacturers
• general duty of care
• occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations relevant to minor servicing and towing recreational vehicles
• procedures to be followed in the event of a driving emergency

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of assessment 

Evidence of the following is critical:

• identifying and following enterprise procedures, and state/territory and federal legislative requirements, regarding driving on public roads and towing of recreational vehicles
• safely manoeuvring and towing recreational vehicle according to OHS requirements
• driving on an open road and in the workplacein a safe and courteous manner
• complying with relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and license requirements pertaining to the class of vehicle
• following OHS policies and procedures relevant to driving and towing a recreational vehicle
• identifying driving hazards and using appropriate defensive driving techniques.

Context of assessment and resource implications 

Assessment must ensure:

• project or work activities that allow the candidate to demonstrate towing a recreational vehicle over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• project or work activities that allow the candidate to address a range of typical minor routine repair or service needs in preparation for towing a recreational vehicle.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Road transport situations 

Road transport situations may include:

• operations conducted at day or night
• typical weather conditions
• on the open road
• on a private road
• while at a depot, base or warehouse
• while at a client's workplace or worksite

Recreational vehicle 

Recreational vehicles may include:

• caravan
• pop-top caravan
• camper trailer
• tent trailer
• 5th wheeler
• slide-on camper

Towing vehicle 

Towing vehicles may include:

• 2 wheel drive
• 4 wheel drive
• truck
• van
• specialised towing truck/unit
• tractor

Prepare recreational vehicle for towing 

Preparing recreational vehicles for towing may include:

• safely positioning and securing:

• fittings
• furnishings materials
• components

• disconnecting:

• power leads
• water pipes/hoses and drains
• electrical leads

• ensuring that any stabilising fixtures are correctly positioned for travel

The purpose of the preparation may include:

• to eliminate danger
• eliminate potential damage
• avoiding weight shift during towing
• evenly distributing weight over wheels
• avoiding other problems with towing

Braking systems 

Braking systems may include:

• hydraulic
• electric

Pre-operational checks 

Pre-operational checks may include:

• visual check of vehicle
• checking and topping up fluid levels
• checking tyre pressures
• checking operation of vehicle lights and indicators
• checking brakes

Minor routine repairs 

Minor routine repairs may include:

• the replacement of blown globes in vehicle lights
• replacement of broken belts
• dealing with flat battery
• replacement of blown fuses
• replacement of coolant hose
• repairing door mirrors
• repairs to rear tail-light lens
• changing of tyres
• repair of tyre punctures
• replacement of broken coolant hose

Vehicle handling procedures 

Vehicle handling procedures may include:

• starting a vehicle
• steering and manoeuvring a vehicle
• accelerating and braking
• positioning and stopping a vehicle
• reversing a vehicle
• correct hand positions on wheel
• operating vehicle controls, instruments and indicators
• using defensive driving techniques
• managing engine performance

Driving hazards 

Driving hazards may include:

• wet and iced roads
• steep inclines or sharp curves on the road
• uneven surfaces
• oil, rocks, mud and water on road
• animals and objects on road
• pedestrians and children
• trees and branches
• other vehicles, recreational vehicles or tents
• foggy, windy or rainy conditions
• flooded sections of road
• fire in vehicle
• leaking fuel
• faulty brakes
• parked vehicles on the road
• faulty steering mechanism on vehicle
• wet/oily work area surface
• fixed workplace hazards
• movable workplace hazards
• other workers

Road transport situations 

Road transport situations may include:

• positioning recreational vehicle
• ensuring vehicle is level and parallel
• ensuring vehicle is within reach of desired services/equipment

Occupational health and safety  (OHS )

OHS may include:

• safe worksite work practices
• safe use of tools and equipment
• safe handling of materials
• use of personal protective equipment

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Co-requisite units