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Thread: Hitting the road safely

  1. #1
    DiscoMick Guest

    Hitting the road safely

    Caravan sales are up 30% as people get out of lockdown and many of the millions of Aussies who went overseas in the past now buy a caravan and hit the road.
    Here's a good example of how it can all go terribly wrong.
    Interesting the people quoted emphasise loading the van correctly, particularly not putting too much on the back.
    There are also some interesting ideas about how to deal with a swaying caravan.
    Our camper has never swayed, so I'm interested to hear what others think about the ideas in this story. What do you reckon?

    'Absolute mayhem': Novices warned after brand-new caravan obliterated on busy highway
    '''Newcomer''' caravan drivers hit the road in numbers, prompting safety warning - ABC News

  2. #2
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    Shed draggers can be really good to really bad like motorists in general.

    Problems come from:
    - Vehicle choice vs Van choice
    - Experience/Confidence level
    - Loading
    - Construction
    - Mass of both the tug and trailer
    - conditions play a part
    - design of the van

    When you see how many vans are constructed and how much fluff is put in them by the owners it’s not hard to see how that big pendulum gets wagging!

  3. #3
    NavyDiver's Avatar
    NavyDiver is offline Very Very Lucky! Gold Subscriber
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    Lost count of boats and Vans I have seen being driven by a person who clearly did not know or consider 'how to' first. Mia Culpa- Admit to just once making a mistake when 16y.o I think in a long tray truck not thinking how long it was before turning. Just collected a bit of the ute which was parked close beside the truck Never made that mistake again and note I only drove that truck from parked less than 5 metres forward. Much easier for several years before that picking up hay bales


  4. #4
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    I drive a lot of miles on hi-way for work....

    Come across all sorts getting towed.

    My observation is it’s not too bad in general. Up until yesterday it’s been a long time since I’ve followed where the trailer was driving the car.

    Sure some cruise along a little slower than I’d like but from behind the van and car look in good shape.

    I’m sure lots would not comply with design weights....given I regularly weighted in and struggled with a family of five (three teenagers) and a 1500kg Camper to stay under. The defer used to fail on front axle and the lux, rear axle and GVM was on the fence.

    Yesterday on my trip across the border I was following three Caravans between the top of the range and warwick, all bunched up sitting on 95km/hr. I assume they were all traveling together. The 2nd and 3rd vans were same make and model. Didn’t have a problem with the speed, it annoyed me they were bunched up. The 3rd was getting pushed around everytime the road dipped or rose slightly. The 2nd not so bad. 1st was rock solid.

    Anyways I rounded all three up (I was towing 2T) as I’d rather be in front of the wobbly one.

    Other than that all the others I encountered seemed to be traveling along just fine....

    I like watching TIAV youtubers, some punters would think they can go out and buy a setup like there first up with no experience and just hit the road.

    200 chopped and stretched, GVM, GCM and towing upgraded
    Caravan ATM 4500kg

  5. #5
    Homestar's Avatar
    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
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    Worst of all is that every camping spot going will will be packed full of even more idiots who have no idea...

    Got away the weekend before the School holidays started the other week and thankfully it was quiet everywhere - will have to pick and choose times to go away now - I wouldn't even consider going anywhere on the holidays or on a long weekend now.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  6. #6
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    Oh, the irony.
    If you don't like trucks, stop buying stuff.
    http://www.aulro.com/afvb/signaturepics/sigpic20865_1.gif

  7. #7
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    I'll have to send that clip to my younger bro as he drives a new Bentley about the same colour as that one. We tow a small van and I like to sit at about 90 - 95kph which theoretically gives plenty of kays for others to get past safely but the first vehicle behind will sit right up my backside and out by the middle lines, then the next behind him will do the same thing until it's impossible for anyone to get past safely.
    Not my fault if the incompetent idiots can't drive.
    Had a bunch of turkeys in Hi-luxes whingeing on the radio about no overtaking lanes coming down from Canarvan not long ago..... clear skies, good road and little traffic with plenty of time for the lot to go around us but too bloody useless to do it.
    I listen to the radio and talk to truck drivers but ignore the other loonies. And never ever go away during school holidays.
    AlanH.

  8. #8
    DiscoMick Guest
    Good points. I reckon the key is not so much driving skills as attitude. When I see people who are towing caravans go flying past overtaking while doing well over the speed limit I expect to see them crashed up the road.

  9. #9
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    JDNSW is offline RoverLord Silver Subscriber
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    I'm reminded of the time many years ago I was heading south on the Bruce somewhere south of Townsville in the Series 1, back in the days when the Bruce was a single lane of bitumen. Nice day, pushing along at about 50mph (close to flat out in the S1), and I was approached by a caravanner from behind. I didn't have time to pull over, I estimate he was doing close to double my speed (well, at least 80mph), and passed me in a shower of gravel, nearly sucked me off the road. It was a Silver Cloud II, towing about a 30ft van.
    John

    JDNSW
    1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
    1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by DiscoMick View Post
    Good points. I reckon the key is not so much driving skills as attitude. When I see people who are towing caravans go flying past overtaking while doing well over the speed limit I expect to see them crashed up the road.
    Sometimes. A well set up combination will be well and good over our posted max speed limits (conditions permitting).

    My combo is lighter than many - we have a Jurgens Xplorer - and behind the D4 its rock solid at any pace. I wouldn't go hard with anything much bigger. I'm confident in clear conditions to do the speed limits and overtake a bit quicker with confidence the rig will remain stable.


    The biggest concern I hear from Bickie Dippers is "I can only tow safely at 85km/h. Over that it gets a bit wobbly" - ​In that case it isnt (A) Safe ( Legal

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