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Subject Topic: Jack knifed van
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Personpnefan
11/4/2014 at 2:38pm
 Location: Preston
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Just come back from Lake District this lunchtime. Huge traffic jams caused by jacknifed car and caravan on M6 southbound just before Lancaster. Didnt appear to involve anyother vehicle. Van was lying over central barriers on its side still with car attached. Hope the occupants werent injured, but should imagine both car and van are probably written off


PersonBob61
11/4/2014 at 8:15pm
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I am surprised after reading through all these caravan threads that there aren't more accidents. Many people seem to have bought a caravan for the first time this year. Many will never have towed before. Many have been ripped off and sold dodgy caravans. Some don't even know what the speed limits are or what weight their cars can tow etc...all a bit scarey

All I can say is take care out there, folks.


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Personmichell8
11/4/2014 at 8:31pm
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I think most drivers don't actually want to crash & most are not complete idiots. Just because most caravanners don't post on ukcs dosen't mean that they don't take advice & don't use the sense they were born with.


VangoMan02
11/4/2014 at 8:41pm
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Bob you are absolutely right..a steep learning curve for some would be useful.
Been caravanning for 40+ years and just when I think I have seen it all something happens to change it.

I think the part of the problem is folks just dont' ask for advice and would rather risk it.
We all have to learn but a bit of homework can lessen the risk factor.

Its good when you see new carvanners on here asking for advice prior to hitting the road...I don't mean that literally

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonBob61
11/4/2014 at 9:35pm
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Yes, at least those here are asking questions. Perhaps my concern is more for those who don't know what questions need asking and don't know what state their new to them caravan is in. They just hitch up and off they go...hopefully remembering the breakaway cable


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Personpnefan
11/4/2014 at 9:53pm
 Location: Preston
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I must add that both and car looked fairly new. What was unsettling was once we had got past the incident a car towing a caravan went past us at about 70mph with the caravan swaying behind.
.


Personficklejade
11/4/2014 at 10:03pm
 Location: Isle of Mull
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How awful, hope they're okay. Must admit, it scares me seeing the speed some caravanners tow at but surely the second lot you saw must have seen the accident? I used to tow a lot but wouldn't dream of towing a 'van again without some practice, just like I wouldn't tow the 30' boat DS acquired.

Wonder if part of the issue is that folks have looked at hiring vans, like they hire motor-homes, and don't think of the issues?

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" When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"


Personthesixkings
11/4/2014 at 11:23pm
 Location: Northamptonshire
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I still ask questions, and I used to drive big green army trucks - Bedfords with no power steering and towing a 16/24 generator.
Maybe it was the colour that made me feel more secure.

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Watermouth Cove - Easter
Carsington Water - May
Sandringham - June
Dockray Meadow -August
Coniston Park - August


Personglittering-prize
12/4/2014 at 12:13am
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I think most of it is common sense.But even if towing correctly at the right speed,if the wind gets you the van is over and often followed by the car,not always anything you can do about it.Just be very careful with suction from hgvs etc.I once saw a car and caravan in the centre barrier,caravan disintigrated with things everywhere.Just go easy and respect the weather.Especially older vans without the stabilser.Do not think it wont happen to me,Better to get on site an hour late than never


Personpompeyjon
12/4/2014 at 12:39am
 Location: Notts
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Call me a fuddy duddy but i check weights,tyre pressure . wind conditions before i tow and i also plan my route carefully. Even so i stay at a steadie 55 and blow anyone who moans at me . My one worry is HGV vehiclkes who seem to fly past me so am always watching out for them. Seen plenty of 4x4s pulling caravns roaring past me ....argh

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jon


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Personmichell8
12/4/2014 at 8:40am
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Hgvs are limited to about 56mph or less but truck speedos are accurate as they are linked to tachograph. Car speedos are usually optimistic so to keep at truck speed on motorways you generally need an indicated 60odd. On motorway inclines, empty or lightly laden trucks can often maintain max speed so will tend to pass caravanners towing up near their cars limit.

A driver towing using car with plenty of power & torque like a large 4x4 needs to be disiplined with their driving as it is very easy to get up to speeds of well over 70 without even noticing.

The sensible advice for caravanners would be to mainly drive in convoy with trucks in the inside lane. Trucks are set at different speeds for fuel saving purposes. Big fleets tend to set speed limiters at 52mph, smaller firms at max 56mph. Best way is to sit in convoy with 'faster' trucks & stick with it, if you overtake in middle lane your speed will soon creep up to over 70.


Personvoltorc
12/4/2014 at 9:20am
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i'm new to caravanning and have only towed 3 times (luckily borrowing a van but am slowly saving up). i went down to brands hatch to watch the BTCC a couple of weekends ago and what a difference to driving on motorways than A roads. the 1 thing i can say is spend a bit mor0e on tyres to get decent ones and pump them up to about 50 psi. the van was lovely and stable and had no worries until i went by a lorry or a lorry went by me. stuck to the 60mph speed limit and was comfortable all the way. I am a person to ask for advice and i agree with statement above. ASK FOR ADVICE as everyone on here is always willing to share there experiences.


PersonShane Barratt
12/4/2014 at 9:27am
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Completely agree with this i have been towing now for 9 years and i asked advice from the start. But i am not sure about this convoy business i was following a car transporter once and the turbulence i was getting off it was making me shake and wobble. I don't like to follow anything i cant see past. I like to judge the road in front of me myself.

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Swings and round abouts


Personmoppetsdad
12/4/2014 at 9:27am
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One thing you should not I repeat not do is to over inflate tires! Stick to the recommended psi if you over inflate you will find yourself in trouble it will be like driving on ice.   

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David

    

I've stood on Lego and didn't even cry!!


Personmichell8
12/4/2014 at 10:07am
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Driving in convoy does not mean driving close enough to be affected by turbulence, you keep a good distance behind truck & following truck will keep a distance behind you. If truck behind is slightly faster & begins to creep up close then at some point it will begin to overtake(snail/tortoise race). Before this happens, speed up a bit & pass the truck in front of you & then continue.

You need to check distances both front & behind & try to keep these distances reasonably large. Be aware that truck drivers drive on the speed limiter & will try to maintain that speed whatever. This is because a fully laden truck takes a while to build up speed once you lift off the gas. This lost time can amount to half hour or more at the end of a 9-10hr driving day so this is why truck drivers try to maintain speed whatever.

It is no good ranting about the driving technique required to keep a 44tonner making good time, you have live with them on the motorway & at the same time avoiding causing heavy braking to much faster solo cars.


PersonPaulBB
12/4/2014 at 11:27am
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Some years ago I used to do breakdown/recovery's on the M1 and attended many caravan and trailer accidents. I have also done accident investigation work for the police and insurance companies. The primary cause of accidents involving caravans and trailers is speeding and over or bad loading of not just towed vehicle but also the towing vehicle.
I do think there should be a mandatory theory test on towing before anyone is allowed to tow anything. I found it shocking how many people involved in such crashes had little or no idea of towing limits or requirements.



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