Towing Incident

Submitted: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 at 09:11
ThreadID: 22636 Views:4793 Replies:20 FollowUps:8
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Holiday plans had a major setback yesterday when my car and caravan jack-knifed on a freeway. After a 180 degree turnaround, the caravan ended up on its roof (write-off) and the car on the driver's side. I climbed out the passenger door with a scratch on my elbow. Very lucky. Waiting on insurance companies now.

I'd like to hear what others think about the incident. Here's what happened:

I was alone in the car doing 90 - 95 kph on the inside lane of a three lane freeway, not rushing and with no-one close in front. A truck went by in the centre lane and created the partial vacuum that sucks you in towards it. Several had done this before and I was watching for them and compensating as they passed.

This one was different. My car and caravan started weaving and it quickly developed into major stuff, criss-crossing at least two of the three freeway lanes. I applied my electric caravan brakes, but it didn't stop it. I ended up fairly neatly in the emergency lane, facing the way I had come. Luckily, everything missed me and all the other vehicles on the crowded freeway missed each other.

So:

1. Was I just unlucky and was this an isolated, one off incident?
2. What is the likelihood of it happening again?
3. What else could I have done to avoid it in the first place?
4. What else could I have done to minimise the effect once it had started?
5. Is there a "damper" device I could have fitted to reduce weaving?

The car is a Land Rover Discovery, TDi, 1995; caravan a Regent X-Treme pop-top (off roader); Hayman Reese weight distribution hitch; car and caravan running level; car has heavy duty King Springs front and back (progressive on rear) - airbags at 10psi in rear.

All advice welcome.

Derek
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