He snaked and turned over - why should he not be surprised??

[Colinn]

I think that's excellent advice and should be uppermost in all caravanners' minds when towing. I always feel comfortable when there is a bit of towing "tension" between car and van, ie physically pulling - not so happy when cruising downhill with the van "floating" behind and vulnerable to crosswinds or turbulence.

 

[Lutz]

Yes, it's good advice BUT don't let it lead you to the assumption that if the caravan does show first signs of instability you should try to accelerate in order to increase the "tension" between car and caravan. That's just about the worst that you can do under those circumstances. For a start, instability increases with speed. Secondly, not even the most powerful towcar would accelerate fast enough in order to pull the outfit straight again. Therefore, if you do experience indications of an imminent snake, ALWAYS ease off the accelerator and, if necessary, apply moderate braking. That will ensure that the caravan's overrun brake will operate and it will pull the caravan back straight again.

 

[ralph_374248405]

subject snaking i bought a citreon picasso desire i.6( new engine) last year on a 06 plate its 1yr old to day we where told this would be the car for us as my wife is disabled i have towed for 25yrs and i havea hgv class 1 the problem was i was dtowing at 45mph at the back of hgv lorry some didtance behind may i add so i came out to pass him every thing was fine untill i was half way along side hime the car started to go all over the place the caravan was holding the road fine not snaking but the car was reverse order the towing ltd on car is 1300kg the van was loaded it was 1120kg and loaded properly may i add and no wind three times we had the van out and three time we thought we where going to meet our maker now to with merc 2.5td sportbut its too low for wife so its to be sold but not untill we get picasso sorted anybody else had this problemany comments welcome