Why Safety Chains are important

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Originally Posted by bob10

That article seems to suggest that those trailers with independent braking systems don't need chains,[ in Canada] or am I reading that wrong? I've recently bought a caravan, with electric brakes and chains, and a breakaway setup. I'm still a nervous newbie in the van world, and the thought of controlling a break away van with it's brakes on [ or off] doesn't bear thinking about. I'm assuming good maintenance is the key. And complacency the enemy.

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Well, semis don't have chains. You have. Yes, good maintenance, thorough inspection and the right setup are essential. The company you bought the van from should have sorted the setup. Learn how to load it evenly and you'll be fine.
Do you have a TPMS for the whole rig? Tyre failure, wheel bearing failure due to poor maintenance and poor loading seem to be the biggest factors in van accidents.

Best guess - poor loading of the trailer!

We were fortunate that the mob we bought the van off gave us a two hour briefing on the ins and outs of the van, I intend to have a pre-season check of the braking system and bearings as we get into using the van , by professionals, the rest of the checks I can do myself. Part of the attraction of having a van is the learning curve involved. Never too old to learn something new. I have a number of handouts to read, the current one is "the basics of towing dynamics", and such things as dutch rolls, and what happens on inclines, wind loading and nose weight. To the missus, the destination is the Raison D'etre, to me it's mastering new skills, and the cold one at the end of a successful trip. [ that's not the missus, BTW, [bigsmile1]] If you stand still, you rust.

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

Best guess - poor loading of the trailer!

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In the original video it may have been a strong cross wind that caught him out. High up on a narrow bridge just the place to happen.

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Originally Posted by Tins

Well, semis don't have chains. You have. Yes, good maintenance, thorough inspection and the right setup are essential. The company you bought the van from should have sorted the setup. Learn how to load it evenly and you'll be fine.
Do you have a TPMS for the whole rig? Tyre failure, wheel bearing failure due to poor maintenance and poor loading seem to be the biggest factors in van accidents.

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Yep, especially tyres. They might still have 75% tread but, if over 5 years old, it's prudent to replace them and the spare(s).

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Originally Posted by Old Farang

In the original video it may have been a strong cross wind that caught him out. High up on a narrow bridge just the place to happen.

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Yep. The thing would just be a bloody great sail. I've had the B-Double move quite a bit in wind, mainly empty of course.

Yes, and of course the caravan (or as they call it camper) is mostly emp0ty with plenty of windage.