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Well said June, and Im glad none of you were seriously hurt.

We returned from a week in scotland on Saturday, travelling down the M74/M6 down to J36 we saw five separate incidents of caravan blow outs, a couple of them with seriously wrecked vans.  I hope no-one was injured in any of those incidents too.

There but for the grace of God go all of us.

I am really glad everybody is ok from this incident.

Can I please ask that people check their car and caravan tyres thoroughly before every trip (and I am not assuming there was anything wrong in this incident).

It also does not surprise me to read all the 'they were too fast - I once got overtaken by a small car and a big caravan and they were going to crash because they were going too fast' comments. Usually written by people who can not genuinely say they have never been above the speed limit (towing or otherwise).

Nobody is in a position to judge others - unless they have dispensation from the powers that be - they are members of the police seeing this AT THE TIME.

Quote: Originally posted by Chowey007 on 07/6/2010

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I know a lot of people will disagree, but I think it should be law for people who tow a caravan to pass a practical test. Not just the driving aspect but also correct loading and safety.

I know my optinion may be a bit radical and will cost more to do the hobby, but I do believe a lot of it is due to ignorance and not knowing by those who are new to the hobby or not avis campers like ourselves and bother to find out. It seems amazing that if you have passed your test before a certain date you can just hitch up and go....and even tow a match to your car that may be too heavy for your experience level.

I had the misfortune to have a tyre blow out on the caravan last year when I started towing solo. I was glad I had been on the CC towing course...as I knew what to do to handle the unit safetly into the hard shoulder, avoiding a major inncident.

 

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Couple of points

Best wishes to the caravanners who lost their van and suffered that crash. Does anyone know what the actual cause was?

Been using the Fulford exit many times with my van heading for Wharfedale and know that I can have idiots pass me and cut right in front to use that exit so I always slow down ready for them cutting me up.

Speed doesn't mean the caravan its often the other bloke. After cutting you up your concern is for the familty the van and the car. You don't have time to take his number and if you crash everyone blames the caravanner blocking the road and not the idiot who is long gone probably unaware of the mayhem he has caused.

Less than 2% (I think) of accidents involve caravans. So 98% involving just cars/lorries. So who should those posting on the newspaper site really be targetting their venom at? Funny old world isn't it?

I agree that motorists should have a better understanding of what it takes/needs to tow a caravan so they give an appropriate allowance. Don't expect me to reverse when we meet in a country lane and don't park so close behind me on a hill, Twit (cleaned that up).

Phil

So for all our sakes the following information might be useful :

What caused the accident, what can we do to avoid it, and what special things do you have to do if you have a blow out ?

If you have a blowout, don't over correct, try to keep the steering as still as possible, and get the speed down as quickly as you can without hard braking.

If you can stop before the wheel comes off the rim - and you can in 99% of cases, you should not lose control.

Jim

Quote:

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Don't expect me to reverse when we meet in a country lane

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Quote: Originally posted by Chowey007 on 07/6/2010

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I know a lot of people will disagree, but I think it should be law for people who tow a caravan to pass a practical test. Not just the driving aspect but also correct loading and safety.

I know my optinion may be a bit radical and will cost more to do the hobby, but I do believe a lot of it is due to ignorance and not knowing by those who are new to the hobby or not avis campers like ourselves and bother to find out. It seems amazing that if you have passed your test before a certain date you can just hitch up and go....and even tow a match to your car that may be too heavy for your experience level.

I had the misfortune to have a tyre blow out on the caravan last year when I started towing solo. I was glad I had been on the CC towing course...as I knew what to do to handle the unit safetly into the hard shoulder, avoiding a major inncident.

 

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So as usual (nearly) everyone jumped to the wrong conclusions unencumbered with facts - same as the comments in the paper.

Glad everyone was ok June.

Quote: Originally posted by Greendemon315 on 08/6/2010

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If you have a blowout, don't over correct, try to keep the steering as still as possible, and get the speed down as quickly as you can without hard braking.

If you can stop before the wheel comes off the rim - and you can in 99% of cases, you should not lose control.

Jim

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Thanks Jim.

 

A pleasure.  It's one of those things that's more frightening in the contemplation than the actual fact.

Just stay calm, don't try too much to correct the steering, just let everything damp down and stop as soon as you can.  No sudden steering inputs or heavy braking.

In many ways a blowout is better than a puncture, because at least you know straight away what it is.  A puncture can go unnoticed for miles, then you have problems with the tyre getting hot and maybe starting a fire - although that doesn't happen much.

Jim

              Blowouts seem to be the most reason that an mishap happens with a caravan,and  are caused by poor maintenance or the wrong type of tyre fitted Just because there is plenty of tread on the tyre,and its done hardly any mileage means nothing, the age of the tyre also contributes.Most tyres are left on the van throughout the months of October through to April with all the weight of the van on them. When water on the tyre freezes in all the nooks and crannies it expands and causes the cracks to open,but when the water thaws the cracks don't close up,so that when the water freezes again it expands again in a bigger crack and so on..If the wheels can be taken off and stored in the garage out of sunlight and away from freezing conditons ,preferably wrapped in an old blanket, and the tyre pressure let down to around half the pressure they should be more safer in the long run(not a pun) A couple of old wheels can be bought from your local scrap yard so the van can be moved in an emergency.Just one hour of your time could save you a lot of money and distress

Interesting reading. Glad all were ok

Cheers  Ratty