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Topic: Overturned caravan M25

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Mrs. Bonce

30/10/2016 at 3:04pm
Location: Luton (no jokes plea
Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai

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Earlier today, just got on M25 from M3, hope everyone is ok. Not sure what happened as the towing vehicle looked adequate (4x4) and was still the right way up but the caravan was on its side. We were able to get past, slowly.

GCMS2012

30/10/2016 at 3:59pm
Location: Northumberland
Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK

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Is it windy down there??

Tyre failure??

Or just plain speeding...?

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Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!

Hacksaw Bob

30/10/2016 at 4:15pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Various tents

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News report here - "no-one injured".

seanfdh

30/10/2016 at 4:50pm
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3

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Probably a fair bit of laundry needed though.

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Sean

kenles

30/10/2016 at 5:51pm
Location: Gloucestershie
Outfit: Fiat Ducato campervan

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It could happen to any of us we all try to tow safe

JohnMW

30/10/2016 at 7:35pm
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You should read my posts on Caravan stability. Unless you have a proactive control system fitted anyone who tows a caravan is at risk no matter how much experience you have. My control system is the only one currently proven over 4 years of use to work without any electronics or silly friction hitches.

VangoMan02

30/10/2016 at 8:10pm
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Guess I must just be really lucky not to have had a serious incident towing in 45+ years of caravanning

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
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Nescafe84

30/10/2016 at 9:26pm
Location: Cambridgeshire
Outfit: 2017 Swift Accent 580 & Ford Kuga AWD

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I have a proactive control system it's called me also proven to work after years of use

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Easter - Burford
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Plus many more weekends at every possible chance!

JohnMW

30/10/2016 at 10:11pm
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Hi you guys there are thousands just like you and it shows that experience does count. Now it does depend on many things that you maintain that record. You keep your speed low, you maintain your outfit to the best of your ability and you don't load your van inappropriately. If you have never experienced a severe sway in the course of your driving experience then I wonder just how much experience you have had. I say this because almost everyone I have spoken to have at some time been shaken by the experience but survived. When asked what they think caused it they just have no answer since they have been driving for years with only mild sway which they accept.

It is a squirk of how a caravan behaves not the driver,it is based upon simple harmonic motion. When a side force pushes the caravan it starts to swing like a pendulum, now if the sway just happens to coincide with a vortice of wind down the side of the vehicle and then pushes the van back with a greater force than the natural return to equilibrium you are at the start of an uncontrolled sway and unless you alter your speed to move out of the period rate you are in great peril. Currently there is only one device on the market that can help you and that is ATC or IDC, however both these systems only work when they have sensed the sway and sometimes it may be to late to slow a 3.5 tonne outfit by braking two or 4 wheels of a light weight trailer in time to stop it.
I have perfected "Differential Stability" that never allows the sway to start regardless of how attentive the driver is - it is waiting for a viable company to take a look at it.

The definition of "LUCK" is when opportunity meets preparation and the opposite is "BAD LUCK" the cause- NO preparation.

I beg you not to be too complacent

Post last edited on 30/10/2016 22:28:04

VangoMan02

30/10/2016 at 11:02pm
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Don't think we have said that we have never experienced an issue.
Its how an experienced driver handles it that stops it becoming a severe incident.

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diesel steve

31/10/2016 at 4:44am
Location: fife
Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo

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Quote: Originally posted by Nescafe84 on 30/10/2016
I have a proactive control system it's called me also proven to work after years of use

Opensauce

31/10/2016 at 7:06am
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Nobody has any idea how this accident happened. The vehicle is a large 4x4 with a med size caravan. The driver would have hardly noticed he was towing so it's possible excess speed was a factor.

Theres no need to tow faster than truck speed around 55mph on the motorway. Other countries have low caravan speed limit. In Holland for example it's 90kph.

So try sticking to 55mph. Let the world pass you by & notice how much better it feels than overtaking in the middle lane with your speed creeping past 70 as you do...

Post last edited on 31/10/2016 07:13:37

Jax365

31/10/2016 at 8:16am
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 31/10/2016
Nobody has any idea how this accident happened. The vehicle is a large 4x4 with a med size caravan. The driver would have hardly noticed he was towing so it's possible excess speed was a factor.

Theres no need to tow faster than truck speed around 55mph on the motorway. Other countries have low caravan speed limit. In Holland for example it's 90kph.

So try sticking to 55mph. Let the world pass you by & notice how much better it feels than overtaking in the middle lane with your speed creeping past 70 as you do...

Post last edited on 31/10/2016 07:13:37

I stick to 58 mph on the Mways, or all the lorries are constantly overtaking me!

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Opensauce

31/10/2016 at 9:14am
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Yes, truck digital tacho speedometers are dead accurate. Car speedos can be up to 10% optimistic so generally trucks will appear to be going at up to 60mph when in fact they are doing around 55.

I agree it's not that simple as some trucks have their limiters set at lower than maximum to save fuel. Fleet trucks are often set at 50 or 52 rather than around 55 & one needs to avoid annoying truck drivers by driving in front of them at just below their max speed.

What one does need to be when towing, particularly with powerful car is disciplined as it is very easy to allow speed to creep up to 80 without even noticing.

billyboggins

31/10/2016 at 9:59am
Location: norfolk
Outfit: Compass Lynx 1991

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Agree with all you say opensauce...and what a difference to your mpg !!

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billyboggins

Mucker1884

31/10/2016 at 10:14am
Location: Derby.
Outfit: VWT62BHiTop

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Quote: Originally posted by JohnMW on 30/10/2016
Currently there is only one device on the market that can help you and that is ATC or IDC, however both these systems only work when...

I have only read that once, but on both occasions, it confused the hell out of me!!

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