Subject: worried Author: Rob Date: September 12, 2008 at 11:18
I'd just like some advice from those of you experienced in towing caravans. My father owns a coachman caravan and he took our 5 year old daughter to the lakes for a holiday in August. On the day they returned I received a phonecall from the Police saying the caravan and his land rover discovery had over turned on the motorway. Myself and my wife were horrified! Luckily they managed to climb out of the sunroof and to safety without injuries. The weather conditions that day were perfect no wind. The traffic Police stated the probable cause of the accident were grooves worn into the road which caused the caravan to sway out of control and overturn. The caravan and the discovery are a right off, however the caravan club have just replaced my dads caravan with a new one. Myself and my wife are obviously concerned of a repeat. Is there any tips you could offer to make sure this doesnt happen again ( are there any extra safety measures you could put in place to prevent a caravan overturning)
Replies:
Author: Alan Date: September 13, 2008 at 17:37
Yes Rob.
We have experienced a similar reaction with our c/van on Motorways, even with a Nissan Terrano pull-tug, There is a definite 'wagging effect' on some inside carriageways. We try to steer slightly off-centre in the lane, safety permitting. The second lane is not quite as bad but you cannot stay there all day.
Author: Bert Date: September 15, 2008 at 00:37
Instability (a light sway) occurs all the time, instigated by various reasons. Gusts, hgv's, indeed those grooves worn out by those hgv's, steering your car et cetera. No problem at all, but when loading isn't done right, tyrepressure isn't ok, driving downhill and /or driving too fast that light sway (or sways) do not stabilize and the quick and therefor dangerous snaking builds up. Steering is out of the question, braking is what you need to do. As soon as possible. The margins can be very small. In my opinion instability that could lead to snaking can be felt on lower speeds already, but you need to be alert and sensitive enough to recognize it. Experience in towing is good, but that's not enough. You need to be alert when sometimes the outfit doesn't feel ok.
Author: cWenteareevoni Date: May 21, 2010 at 04:39
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Author: Ned Date: June 08, 2010 at 13:20
A little bit concerned that Bert advises braking out of a snake. The only safe option is to lift off the accelerator and let the unit slow at it's own pace
Author: Bert Date: June 08, 2010 at 17:13
I know that is recommended by the CC and others. And lifting of the accelerator is of course the (first) right thing to do. But if snaking does not stop immediately, but these side way moves increase you have lost costly seconds. In fact when snaking doesn't build up you are probably on the safe side of the 'critical speed' and the problem solves itself. But if - again - snaking builds up, this is not enough. I know (!) as a professional caravan instructor that immediate braking for sure solves the problem. But, do not stop, just loose speed.
Author: mark Date: June 08, 2010 at 18:53
sorry to hear that happend to your dad,iv been toweing for over 25years,yes it can happen not just on motoways ,iv havd it happen on normal roads,i thing the problem was coused by over speeding when i looked at my speed i was doing aroud 65mph no wind calm day,i did not lose the caravan,i just let the car lose speed,i now tow to the speed limit and have had no probs since that was 7 years ago.roads my look good they do have these probs cuts inthe roads and dips and other probs,i hope it dose not put him off toweing.
