The only way to describe it is really you can feel the back of the car zig zagging from side to side, like a dogs tail wagging. When you look through the rear view mirror, you can see the van moving from side to side, and feel it too
. I have only experienced this once, although it wasn't too bad, I remember my dad, who has hundreds of years experience pulling caravans, and is an instructor for the AdvancedDriver Institute thingy, telling me to "ease off on the gas", and it will correct.
It worked for me, and now I am super careful about my speeds when I tow. This coupled with a watchful eye on other fast idiots overtaking, means I get there slower, but much safer.
You can't miss it when it happens, and it is quite scary... I would hate for it to have been worse, and I think if I had a worse experience, it would have put me off towing, and I rather like being in the "girls that tow" club !!
I believe that Alko are looking at an "ABS" type set up that detects the start of a snake and then using some intellegent software applies the caravan brakes independently of the car (and each other) to straighten things up.
There was a demo playing at the NEC.
Clearly driving to the conditions is the key and, as stated above, sensible loadings.
I bet a caravan doing 30mph has never been written off due to a snaking incident, 45 perhaps, 55 certainly, and 75, frequently. There is also bad luck, the many variables being stacked against us at that precise moment in time.
Mr Ulti-Mate
PS
Yes it is scary...accidents happen, I do however feel many times safer in my van than sat cramped the back of an Squeesi Jet flight..even reading this post!
Yes it is scary...accidents happen, I do however feel many times safer in my van than sat cramped the back of an Squeesi Jet flight..even reading this post!
you do get some terrible idiots that are ''suppose'' to be caravaners,
last summer travelling on m5 north bound, had the two lorry situation one overtaking the other and we were stuck in middle lane behind them doing pretty good speed!!60ish! when from behind us unable to wait a car and caravan pulled out in the outside lane and over took the lot of us, are they unaware of high way code,!!!
just when a copper around would have been great to see,
my hubby is a professional lorry driver and sees so many idiots pulling caravans, no extended mirrors or driving too fast , you can tell the true 'towers' when you overtake like a lorry driver will flash you back in to says you are clear ,(well i get the flashes anyway when i tow!!!!
Happened to us last year going over the A66. We were been overtaken by a highsided vehicle, when he got past the wind caught the back of the caravan. Believe me you know when it happens the caravan was swerving backwards and forwards then the car started rocking side to side You just have to go with it. I thought we were going to flip over, if it wasnt for the snakemaster I think we would have. They should be made compulsary for towing. We were really shaken by it, but I think the couple in the car behind got the bigger shock watching it.
Quote: Originally posted by bobabbeyuser on 19/3/2007
Hi Bertie,
I've had cruise control on my Picasso for the last 3yrs- never got round to using it was nervouse i couldn't overide it quickly enough when overtaking etc.Will definatly give it a go now.Thanks for the reminder.
Bob G.
It's not a problem. If you press the acelerator this overides the Cruise but when you lift your foot off the car settles back to the set speed, if you ned to brake the action of pressing the brake disconnects the cruise. It makes for very relaxed driving.
I have used cruise control for years and now that we caravan I find it to be an excellent bit of kit. On most cruise controlls you can adjust the speed up or down or reset after braking on the steering wheel or stalk. It is also useful in roadworks as you can set the lower speed and not get hit by speed cameras. Try it and you will enjoy it.
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: Scary Stuff!
, sounds very dodgy to me.
