Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
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This is a wide ranging discussion with many interesting points being raised.
It's quite clear that the much vaunted 85% advice is no guarantee of a safe and stable towing experience, but for a novice about to choose their first caravan the figure is not a bad starting point as long as other factors which can affect stability are also taken into consideration.
Correct loading is of paramount importance, I once met someone who had bought their first caravan, a Lunar if I remember correctly.
They hadn't towed before and after the dealers hand over they hitched the Lunar to their Discovery and began a relatively short journey home with part of the journey along the northbound M5 between Jn 6 and Jn 2.
They didn't make it!
I spoke to the gentleman concerned a few weeks after the incident in which the caravan was written off and the Discovery was damaged and I asked about loading, had he put his awning right at the rear of the caravan for example?
No, the awning was actually in the car, the caravan was quite empty and the only additional load was the leisure battery which was secured inside the battery box.
The gent hadn't been speeding but he told me that when he noticed that the caravan had begun to move from side to side he'd increased his speed because some idiot tv motoring pundit (possibly Clarkson) had said that this was the best way to get out of a snaking situation.
Of course, we all know that this was a bad mistake, he should have taken his feet off everything to let the speed bleed off and he just might have kept his caravan shiny side up if he was lucky.
I don't know for sure but I think that a low noseweight and ruts in the carriageway caused by 44 tonne trucks had started the instability and he made matters much worse by accelerating.
My towcar / caravan ratio is about 90% with the awning over the 2 axles toward the front axle and I get the noseweight as close as possible to the limit of 100kg.
I normally get a safe and comfortable tow with this set up, although with no on board stability or traction aids I use seat of the pants experience to detect any sign of road ruts or crosswinds early on to adjust my driving accordingly.
The 85% advice when taken by itself is worthless i.m.o .
Towing safety involves many factors, not least correct tyre pressures and a well maintained outfit, with correct loading and defensive driving techniques all having an important part to play.
It's quite clear that the much vaunted 85% advice is no guarantee of a safe and stable towing experience, but for a novice about to choose their first caravan the figure is not a bad starting point as long as other factors which can affect stability are also taken into consideration.
Correct loading is of paramount importance, I once met someone who had bought their first caravan, a Lunar if I remember correctly.
They hadn't towed before and after the dealers hand over they hitched the Lunar to their Discovery and began a relatively short journey home with part of the journey along the northbound M5 between Jn 6 and Jn 2.
They didn't make it!
I spoke to the gentleman concerned a few weeks after the incident in which the caravan was written off and the Discovery was damaged and I asked about loading, had he put his awning right at the rear of the caravan for example?
No, the awning was actually in the car, the caravan was quite empty and the only additional load was the leisure battery which was secured inside the battery box.
The gent hadn't been speeding but he told me that when he noticed that the caravan had begun to move from side to side he'd increased his speed because some idiot tv motoring pundit (possibly Clarkson) had said that this was the best way to get out of a snaking situation.
Of course, we all know that this was a bad mistake, he should have taken his feet off everything to let the speed bleed off and he just might have kept his caravan shiny side up if he was lucky.
I don't know for sure but I think that a low noseweight and ruts in the carriageway caused by 44 tonne trucks had started the instability and he made matters much worse by accelerating.
My towcar / caravan ratio is about 90% with the awning over the 2 axles toward the front axle and I get the noseweight as close as possible to the limit of 100kg.
I normally get a safe and comfortable tow with this set up, although with no on board stability or traction aids I use seat of the pants experience to detect any sign of road ruts or crosswinds early on to adjust my driving accordingly.
The 85% advice when taken by itself is worthless i.m.o .
Towing safety involves many factors, not least correct tyre pressures and a well maintained outfit, with correct loading and defensive driving techniques all having an important part to play.