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Subject Topic: Dangers of Towing
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Personbeechy
16/6/2014 at 11:15am
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Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 16/6/2014
Quote: Originally posted by misterg on 16/6/2014HGVs and buses drawing alongside can unsettle stability. Over the years I have felt snaking but once it starts ease up gradually.


Shouldn't really "unsettle stability" in a correctly matched & loaded van. They more cause some buffeting from wind & bow wave. Virtually all HGVs are limited to 56mph. There should be very few passing unless you are driving slowly under speed limit. Coaches are do have a higher maximum speed limit at 70mph.


When did coach speed limits get raised? I always thought that they were restricted to 100kph (62mph) on motorways and national speed limit dual carriageways


PersonBob61
16/6/2014 at 11:32am
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Any posting pointing out the dangers of speeding while towing is bound to create some debate depending on the opinions of individuals.

It may be true to say that you could probably get away with excessive speed if driving at a constant speed on a perfectly flat and straight road on a windless day, but those conditions rarely exist. It only takes a small rut in the road or an uneven surface, a sudden gust of wind whether natural or from a passing vehicle to start a caravan weaving. Even erratic accelerator control could cause instability.

A badly loaded caravan may also contribute to poor towing.

If travelling at excessive speed the forces on the caravan are that much greater and the chances of a caravan becoming uncontrollable are increased. Add to that a driver who hasn't a clue what he should do to try to recover control and an accident is inevitable.

The towing speed limits are considered the safest by those experts who determine what road speeds should be and therefore it would be foolish to ignore them.

One doesn't have to be obsessive or worried about towing. Just make sure the caravan isn't excessively overloaded and sits nicely and level behind the tow car. Make sure the tow car isn't overloaded either, and stay within the speed limits, then there should be no problems.


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Personfixings
16/6/2014 at 12:11pm
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Quote: Originally posted by taffymotorhome on 16/6/2014
Also in your quote, you state that speed is NOT a reason for snaking....
Really? ..... So It is safe to travel at over 70mph is it?.

That you suggest these 2 points have any relationship to each other points to your lack of knowledge on the subject. The information you posted was incorrect so no help to anybody.

Nobody who routinely breaks the speed limit is going to act differently after reading your post but the suggestion that a stabiliser will make an unsafe outfit safer is incorrect & you calling it an 'anti snake device' when it is nothing of the sort is misinformation that should not be posted on here.


Personmickeyb
16/6/2014 at 12:26pm
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Seems to me that some people join forums just to snipe at others and create arguments, I believe it's called trolling. ...........Mick


Personsunshinetours
16/6/2014 at 12:29pm
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Quote: Originally posted by mickeyb on 16/6/2014
Seems to me that some people join forums just to snipe at others and create arguments, I believe it's called trolling. ...........Mick


Agreed - and they keep rejoining it seems


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PersonCarrievan69
16/6/2014 at 1:35pm
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Silly me ... I think you will let this firm, ( see link below ) the caravan club and Practicle caravan magazine know they have all got it wrong in calling it an " Anti snaking device" ....

http://www.bulldogsecure.com/view/bulldog-200q-anti-snake-stabiliser/9.

But I still maintain I NEVER said about fitting this device will make an unsafe outfit safer...


-------------
A war does not decide who is right , just who is left..


Personfixings
16/6/2014 at 2:04pm
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You suggested it was, you associated excess speed & stabilisers. All posting up this sort of patronising rubbish does is annoy posters. It really is not going stop caravanners speeding or improve their knowledge in any way.

This forum exists for helpful information not for self indulgent rants about bad driving that will change nothing. The op was a troll & the thread went dowhill from there tbh.


PersonRamette
16/6/2014 at 2:17pm
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Can I just say, as a newbie, I'm glad of this thread. I thought I generally had a lot of common sense, and we actually towed our caravan empty as there was just the two of us so we loaded the car (we left the awning at home for our first trip). But it would NEVER have occurred to me to place a heavy load over the axle. May have occurred to the other half though.

Thank you OP.

And taffy... I'm impressed at your multitasking driving skills. I do all of the above and put my make up and have a manicure at the same time 😄


PersonCarrievan69
16/6/2014 at 3:40pm
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Gosh Fixings.
You are in a bad mood today , if you regard things as patronising , ignore them, don't rise to their bait. Because you are obviously a person that does things correctly, by the book, and I commend you on that..My comment was in no way a "self indulgent rant" , it was mearly based on facts that I actually saw. And trying to help others out ( maybe) . At least Ramette appreciated what I had to say.

Ramette......I do the make up thing too, but that is on a Saturday night, and another story..hahaha

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A war does not decide who is right , just who is left..


Personfixings
16/6/2014 at 4:41pm
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For anybody who thinks speed=snaking, watch this, whatever else happens the caravans don't snake...& not a stabiliser in sight.


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Personqueensmessenger
16/6/2014 at 5:22pm
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Nose weight and speed are the main contributing factors ( although it can be argued that overloading and heavy items placed in the top cupboards also contribute). However at higher speeds the caravan front tends to lift as if it were and aircraft and this in turn affects the nose weight which can if originally correct to spec. become so light that snaking results. For this reason I always adjust my nose weight to about 10Kg above spec. and limit my speed to a max of 50mph on normal roads and 60mph on motorways. Never had snaking problems even when hit by side winds or the wash of passing large vehicles. I get to my destination at nearly the same time as when driving solo at 70mph. Common sense prevails.


Personmoppetsdad
16/6/2014 at 5:39pm
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Perhaps all them there caravan towers are just trying to find out if their vans are stable by going like a bat out of hell and seeing in their van will wobble!   

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David

    

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


Personthe black fox
16/6/2014 at 7:21pm
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what i would like to know mr welshmotorhome is HOW you managed to drive your vehicle and observe the fact that you saw lots of caravanners with no ANTI-SNAKE DEVICE ,have you not heard of a alko hitch or there like ,and if you could actually discern which type of hitch lock was being used at motorway speeds then i would suggest your the real danger on the roads not the caravanners .
   in fact i think you might even be jeremy clarkson in limbo just coming on here to inflame a argument .
if indeed you were looking for bar type anti-snake devices i must ask where have you been for the last 20 years ,never mind don't even contrive to answer that .


PersonCarrievan69
16/6/2014 at 7:39pm
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Hahahahaha Jeremy Clarkson , love it, ........Oh by the way , Have you never heard of being a passenger..?????.

I can't believe how much hatred is out there over an innocent comment. As I have said , I am not having a go at caravanners, although some think I am. .

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A war does not decide who is right , just who is left..


Personjoe blog
16/6/2014 at 7:47pm
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Hi so what is wrong with a bar stabiliser as I have used one for the last ten years without any issue with snaking or instability.


Personmoppetsdad
16/6/2014 at 7:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by joe blog on 16/6/2014
Hi so what is wrong with a bar stabiliser as I have used one for the last ten years without any issue with snaking or instability.





nowt wrong with them whatso ever BUT I'm sure some one will be along soon to tell you the error of your ways   

-------------
David

    

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



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