Careless Caravanners

This story happened on: 29/07/2012

Last Sunday my husband and I were returning from Cheshire on the M6 after a lovely weekend away in our caravan. We were overtaken at speed by a larger caravan than ours which lost control in front of us, we had no were to go but had to watch in horror as events unfolded. We immediately switched on our hazard lights and to our horror the caravan whipped over the central reservation on to the other side of the motorway and left the towing vehicle sideways on in the fast lane. We rang the emergency services immediately and by the grace of god  continued on our way. We both were so badly affected by this incident that we have decided to retire from caravanning. I hope with all my heart these people were not injured but due to speed these people have taken away the one thing my husband and I loved, as we have now put our caravan on the market.

kilo commented on 29/07/2012 19:01

Commented on 29/07/2012 19:01

We had just returned from wales and like you we were doing 60mph and one or two caravans past us. I hope you reconsider.

tescoboy commented on 29/07/2012 21:25

Commented on 29/07/2012 21:25

We have just come back from  yorkshire with our caravan .A caravan past us  in the outside lane .It must have been doing about 70mph .I give up these people do not realise what could happen in a blink of a eye .Surprised

 

tonker commented on 29/07/2012 23:01

Commented on 29/07/2012 23:01

agree with all of you.

I have seen cars doing 75mph with their vans behind them.

I go no faster than 55mph and I have a Kia Sorento to tow with and that is fast enough.

Back2Sorento commented on 30/07/2012 01:22

Commented on 30/07/2012 01:22

I have to agree that this can be very disconcerting & I can fully understand your thoughts. I was involved in an accident many years ago doing less than 50 mph, which caused my van to be a write off. At the time we both wondered if we should give up but thank God we didn't. Time is a great healer so don't make a rash decision, review your decision in a month's time & if you then feel the same go ahead & sell, but I would hazard a guess that you will realise that you were driving correctly & towed in a safe fashion & did the right thing in YOUR actions. I hope you do not let this incident spoil your obvious pleasure & no doubt unless you stop driving altogether you will come across more incidents of this nature . At least you were in control & not reliant upon coach trip drivers or aeroplanes as an alternative, make your next trip a local one & stop a few nights to rebuild your confidence.

commented on 30/07/2012 07:52

Commented on 30/07/2012 07:52

I drive a motorhome and have never towed a caravan can someone tell me are caravans limited to a speed less than cars on the motorway? On my journey from Dorset to Scotland as usual I drove with my cruise control at 65mph. Caravans passed me by the dozen, it was raining hard and visibility was not good at times. I thought I was pushing it at 65mph.

Inali commented on 30/07/2012 09:19

Commented on 30/07/2012 09:19

Caravans are limited to 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways, and 50mph on single carriageways.

buccaneer commented on 30/07/2012 09:44

Commented on 30/07/2012 09:44

I find caravaning to be very relaxing and quite enjoy driving to our chosen venue,life is to short to chance your or any one elses to arrive that bit earlier.

kilo commented on 30/07/2012 09:50

Commented on 30/07/2012 09:50

I drive a motorhome and have never towed a caravan can someone tell me are caravans limited to a speed less than cars on the motorway? On my journey from Dorset to Scotland as usual I drove with my cruise control at 65mph. Caravans passed me by the dozen, it was raining hard and visibility was not good at times. I thought I was pushing it at 65mph.

Caravanner from Norfolk is correct in his post. If you are involved in an accident and it was your error that caused the accident and you were driving at the time over the permitted speed limit then your insurance will refuse to pay any costs etc. Unfortunatly the idiots that speed bring with them a bad reputation for genuine caravanners. Many friends say to me "I hate caravans, they slow the traffic down" We are unique in that we are relaxed with our driving and not in a hurry like 60% of car drivers.

ClubMember8B57D74546 commented on 30/07/2012 15:35

Commented on 30/07/2012 15:35

im sorry to hear you have decided to give caravanning i myself have seen fellow caravanners speed past me on a busy carraige way with the back ends swinging i drive with the road conditions and with in the speed limits we are supposed to adhere to when towing i hope you both get back into one day again

Stills commented on 30/07/2012 20:12

Commented on 30/07/2012 20:12

Im sorry to hear that this has effected you both so badly, but perhaps in time the effect may lessen and you may regret selling your caravan and stopping yourself from enjoying the freedom it provides you due to other peoples irresponsibility.  The law is 60mph for caravanners on motorway and duel carriageways and 50mph on single carriageways and is there for a reason.  We have on numerous occasions been overtaken by caravaners to see their outfit start to snake and pray that they dont take us out with them. You are clearly sensible law abiding caravaners, please dont give up, perhaps we can lead by example.

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