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Subject Topic: Bottomed Out Leaving Campsite Post Reply Post New Topic
08/8/2015 at 8:31pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Lunar Lexon 530
View kk65's Profile View Profile   Reply to kk65 Reply   Quote kk65 Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2009

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I've just done, probably considerable, damage to our Lunar Lexon 530 leaving a campsite by turning right onto a narrow country lane. The rear nearside corner banged hard causing damage to the back panel (big crack) as well as popping one of the front blind fittings out.

Caravan went into the site OK, up the slight slope from the road to the site. This happened at my favourite campsite, so I'll be wanting to go back there again and I wouldn't want this to happen in the future.

Being new to caravanning, what did I do wrong? Any advice gratefully received.

Towcar is a 2008 Galaxy.


08/8/2015 at 8:38pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

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Presuming it was loaded correctly and not overloaded with the correct noseweights then the only issue is that you didnt read the road properly.

What you need to watch out for is the campsite drive sloping down and then the camber of the road leaving a dip in which the wheels sit and then the front of the rear make contact with the road.



08/8/2015 at 8:50pm
 Location: Swadlincote
 Outfit: Coachman 545 VIP. 2015.
View Compressorman's Profile View Profile   Reply to Compressorman Reply   Quote Compressorman Quote  
Joined: 08/8/2015

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I sympathise with you on that one.

Many sites have very tight entrances and it can be very difficult not to damage your van.

I have been in some very tight situations over the years and am amazed that I have been lucky not to damage the van.

Also you need to be very aware of the overhang at the rear and of blind spots

Small CL sites can be the worst.

I always ring and ask about access if I am at all unsure.

If they say " why ? What are you bringing - then you can bet they are down a pony track with the smallest gateway you have ever seen

Do a little homework first and then be careful and take your time

Good luck in the future


08/8/2015 at 8:54pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Lunar Lexon 530
View kk65's Profile View Profile   Reply to kk65 Reply   Quote kk65 Quote  
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Hi Grampian91, many thanks for the quick response.

As far as I know, the caravan was loaded correctly, with a nose weight of between 80 and 90 Kg (according to my gauge).

I suspect you're right about not reading the road properly. An expensive lesson to learn.


08/8/2015 at 8:55pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Lunar Lexon 530
View kk65's Profile View Profile   Reply to kk65 Reply   Quote kk65 Quote  
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Many thanks Compressorman. Might explain why our caravan appeared to be the longest on the site.


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09/8/2015 at 12:37pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View albee's Profile View Profile   Reply to albee Reply   Quote albee Quote  
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Hi, some sites are best exited on the angle, rather than a straight out and turn as you would when not towing. I have to do this at home as my drive slopes down to a flat road if I go straight out jockey wheel grounds so have to come out on the angle using a bit of my friendly neighbours drive


09/8/2015 at 7:31pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636
View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
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I would go back there without the caravan if you want to stay regularly. Get out of your car and walk the junction, are there any dips in the road where you turn, if your wheel goes into one it can ground the rear if coming down a slope at the same time. Did your wheel catch the edge of a ditch etc as you left? Often a quick look on foot and you can avoid the same mistake. We've all been there, don't let it put you off, learn and move on and enjoy your van


10/8/2015 at 1:24am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

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I took the plastic foot off one of the legs on my van a few years back, So lucky the damage was no worse.

Coming up a fairly steep hill and turning right into a driveway that also climbed upwards.

Due to the camber and the driveway angle the foot made contact with the roadway.

I should have spotted the deep grooves in the road and driveway surface and checked properly. But when you arrive at a destination and people are talking to you its easily done.

Plenty more things to learn, Ask the member on here who have left the rooflight open when towing or not connecting the breakaway cable (I forget this too often).




10/8/2015 at 10:10am
 Location: Huddersfield
 Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander
View geoff+emmy's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoff+emmy Reply   Quote geoff+emmy Quote  
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I always Google map small sites now..


10/8/2015 at 8:07pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
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If you get a dodgy surface as described proceed very slowly, dipping clutch as required to keep speed at less than snails pace. That way if you do ground it you will do minimum damage and at very slow speed less likely to ground as suspension is not bouncing.


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25/8/2015 at 8:17pm
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H
View Pickled Onion's Profile View Profile   Reply to Pickled Onion Reply   Quote Pickled Onion Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 10/8/2015
I took the plastic foot off one of the legs on my van a few years back, So lucky the damage was no worse.
Quote:

Me too, I managed to do the same daft trick driving off a ferry ramp years ago, I felt like a right idiot but now I am so careful to get my approach angle as good as possible. Another one on the experience pile, done it once, don't do it again.

Dave





-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.



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