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Hi

I have had my HGV or LGV depending on how old you are for just under 20 years .

My instructors always told me to add power to pull it out how ever the wheels on a 40ft trailer are set to the rear  on a caravan they are in the middle with a over hang at the back .

Right  here we go’s on my 650 hobby I have a internal water tank which I forgot to empty (yes I know now)

On the M1 the thing started to swing like a go go dancer, I saw to things the rear of my van and the horrified look on a truckers face at this point my backside went from 1p to manhole cover and back again  I put my foot down to pull it out but it made it worse so I slammed on the brakes and pull away as fast as my little 4L V6 would go I got to the hard shoulder god knows how.

So I think I have proved if your van is snakeing just release the power tap the brakes to engage the van brakes and hope for the best . Anyone know how to retread of brown marks on leather?????????????????

When I had my 1976 snake my 10 year old son thought that Dad was doing it on purpose and was cheering in the back seat as we covered 3 lanes of the M6

Hush my cherub came to mind

I always remember my Dad being told to accelerate out of it many years ago when I caravanned with my parents as a kiddie.

Ali

I know what you mean John, my 4 year old said Mum was doing twirly whirlies with the caravan!

Interested readers might like to look at my post on snaking after I had a snaking accident recently......lots of ideas there............I felt the best one was to dab at the brakes to slow the whole outfit down, as this will also apply the caravan brakes.  I would rather be snaking at 20 mph than 60, speaking as one who has rocketed all over 3 lanes of a motorway and ended up crashed into the verge.  And the advice of keep it slow doesnt always work as I was doing 45 mph and going careful as careful........

Hi Folks, I would agree with Magdalena on this one "..........I felt the best one was to dab at the brakes to slow the whole outfit down, as this will also apply the caravan brakes.",  This is the method I have used over many years and it has always worked and usually in a very short time indeed.
What the real problem is in most cases is travelling to fast and improper loading of the outfit, not to mention not checking tyre pressures of both the caravan and tow-car. The latter is a must as rear tyre pressures on cars are usually higher than when towing, don't forget to take out the extra air when solo again though!

The NTTA has a comprehensive guide that we should all read through.

National Trailer and Towing Association -

• Snaking
• Trailer Checks before each journey

Also worth getting -

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders have just introduced the 5th edition of  their publication Towing and The Law 
Download a printable order form in either Word Document format or PDF Format for full details on how to obtain a copy of this exceptionally informative publication direct from SMMT.
Alternatively visit the SMMT Website and order online.
At £3 for members and £5 for non-members this is a must buy publication for all of us who tow caravans or trailers of all types.

Hope all that helps !