Shall we go for "name and address supplied" first or anyone who dare provide their full names?
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I guess they were probably going too fast. Its amazing how many seem to tow caravans at well over 60mph on dual carriageways. It always amazes me the number who pass me doing a steady 60 makes me think me speedo is goosed!
We came back from a week away on Friday & were doing 60 on the motorway. We lost count of the number of idiots that overtook us with vans on the back. One was towing a van as big as ours with an Avensis (same as mine) & must have been doing at least 70 judging by how fast he went past us. I wouldn't entertain trying to tow our van with my car - it's 104% of the kerbweight so at that speed especially, he couldn't have been stable.
Why can't people just stick to the rules? Do they think the speed limit doesn't apply to them or do they think they're invincible? Trouble is, when it all goes wrong they get us all a bad name & could well hurt others in the process.
Of course speed is a factor, but how often do you look at a car and caravan and just know it doesn't look right, ie. the van is too big for the car.
My father-in-law followed me for a good distance on the motorway once (he wasn't towing, I was), I had crusie control set at 61mph; when we stopped he said I was doing 70! Which I'm convinced I wasn't.
The comments in the press are not exactly a balanced view but already on this thread the assumtion appears to be that the drivers were going too fast. Well they may have been but perhaps they were not. How about innocent until proven guilty?
Anything could have happen to cause the accidents. I will not speculate on other possible reasons.
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.
Quote: Originally posted by Chowey007 on 07/6/2010
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 avid 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.
On most saturdays in the summer on the M5 one or two caravans overturn. Last year on a saturday going to Bristol J14 one overturned and comming back another by J14
'it didn't get the wrong way up without some kenetic energy which translates to speed??'
The incident could have been caused by tyre blow out, having to make a sudden stop or turn due to another persons driving error or - it could have been due to driving too fast. But we just don't know.
If all of you so called " friendly caravanners"bothered to find out the facts before you jump to conclusions you would know that this car and caravan was travelling at less than 50 miles an hour when the accident occurred. They are friends of ours who were returning along with us from a weeks holiday at Coneysthorpe Incidentally if anyone is interested our friends and their two young children were not hurt but very badly shaken up .
Quote: Originally posted by Chowey007 on 07/6/2010
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.
Do you not think it would be good for everyone who takes a driving test to at least have some knowledge of how to deal with caravans on the road and the effect of their actions on those unit they meet on the highway?
Quote: Originally posted by June Evans on 07/6/2010
If all of you so called " friendly caravanners"bothered to find out the facts before you jump to conclusions you would know that this car and caravan was travelling at less than 50 miles an hour when the accident occurred. They are friends of ours who were returning along with us from a weeks holiday at Coneysthorpe Incidentally if anyone is interested our friends and their two young children were not hurt but very badly shaken up .
Quote: Originally posted by Chowey007 on 07/6/2010
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.
Do you not think it would be good for everyone who takes a driving test to at least have some knowledge of how to deal with caravans on the road and the effect of their actions on those unit they meet on the highway?
Absolutely, and I think that's a great idea. I've lost track of how many times I've been cut up on the approach to a round-about or junction.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: more bad press
