Speed and Stability Issues

Speed and Stability issues.

On reading some of the threads and Posts in open forum section it is apparent that some members are still unsure of the speed regulations insofar as they affect them and more importantly how various factors affect caravan stability.

So at the risk of inviting scorn and abuse from some members I thought that it might be helpful to new and/or inexperienced caravanners if I set out some thoughts on the subject both from the perspective of a long service Police Officer, and a 30 year plus caravanner.

The National Speed limit for both cars and light commercial vehicles on motorways and dual carriageways in the UK is 70 mph, unless a lower limit is locally in force.  Normal roads i.e. those having one lane in either direction, carry the national speed limit of 60mph, again unless a lower speed limit is locally in force.

Cars and light Commercial vehicles towing trailers ( N.B. This includes all trailers, both Caravans and small garden trailers)  are limited to 60mph on Motorways and dual carriageways, and 50mph on normal two lane roads.

In addition all vehicles towing trailers of whatever description are prohibited from using lane three of Motorways.

Sadly during my service I attended countless accidents involving caravans and being a keen caravanner myself I carried out a careful study of those accidents that involved an element of loss of stability as the main cause of the accident.  Sadly in almost every case it was clear that the cause could be put down to one of three main factors.

(a)   Poor loading.

(b)   Poor tyre care,

(c)   Poor understanding of the required towing skills.

Poor Loading.  This problem tended to occur most commonly in the new  caravanner, or in one who used his van infrequently, very often just for the  one main holiday per year.  In both cases there was a complete lack of appreciation of the need to keep heavy objects low down and away from the rear of the van. A lack of appreciation of the importance of knowing the correct nose weight of the van and indeed the total weight that the van when fully loaded.  The need for the inexperienced caravanner to keep the van less than 85% of the towing vehicles kerb weight was also a frequent causal factor.  Sadly far too many drivers involved in accidents were unable to tell me when their van was last serviced let alone their car.

Poor Tyre Care.  Many of the accidents had occurred following a blow out of one of the caravan tyres, yet very few owners had any concept of the importance of never running with a tyre that was in excess of 5 years old. All too often I was given the explanation “But Officer there was loads of tread on the tyre”.  No appreciation of the effect on a tyre of standing for 50 weeks of the year in the same position or of the effect of sunlight on exposed rubber. No understanding of the value of Tyron bands in keeping a suddenly deflated tyre on the wheel, thus allowing the rig to be kept under control until brought to a safe halt.

Very few of the drivers involved had bothered to check their tyre pressures before leaving, and far too many had any idea what their correct pressures were!

Poor understanding of required towing skills.  It was also quite evident that many of the drivers involved in the accidents had failed to appreciate how the effect on towing a heavily laden box on wheels behind their car would have on its normal performance and general dynamics. Once again, all too often there was a failure to appreciate the need to keep the weight of their van within strict limits and never to exceed the 85% of the kerb weight of the car. Why carry the heavy awning and poles in the caravan when it could easily fit in the boot?

Too many accidents occurred when drivers frustrated by the lack of normal performance in their car attempted to overtake on a downhill stretch. They did not appreciate how speed on the overloaded rig would build up quickly and that instability would surely follow.  It only took a sudden cross wind or the bow wave of a lorry or the bow wave of “white van man” in a hurry, to wake up that snake.

So there you have it!  It’s a great and fabulous pastime, and if done properly is the key to a great freedom, - but in my humble opinion far too many of us ignore the basic safety guidelines, and risk inviting unwelcome sanctions against us.

I will rest there; I have had my say, & must now await the chorus of those who will accuse me of being a sanctimonious old goat.  One who seeks to spoil enjoyment.  Who wants to bring greater control over our hobby.  

But I must counter those accusations by asking how many of you have had to scrape bodies off the tarmac?  How many of you have had to knock on doors to tell loved ones that their partners, sons & daughters will not be coming home again?  When you have done that by all means feel free to criticize. 

I repeat this is a great pastime & it enables all of us to see and experience places that we would not otherwise see.  But we do need to adhere to its safety guidelines, to study its rules, and to recognise the reasons for them.

tigerfish