Avoid the nightmare of overturning

The Association of British Drivers offer tips on ways to stop overturning

The holiday season may be in full swing, but your caravan doesn’t need to do the same…

Britain has become a nation of caravan fans in 2009 as more families than ever take to the roads during a time of recession.

The National Caravan Council believes the total number of caravan holidays this year will approach 14 million. Meanwhile a study from John Lewis and Waitrose found a 36 per cent increase in spend on caravans and motorhomes. However this surge in interest can bring to the roads drivers without experience of towing and pulling caravans.

The roads can prove perilous at these congested times for those new to the pastime. In July this year a caravan overturned on the M5 blocking all three lanes. Meanwhile on the same day at least four separate incidents were reported where caravans had overturned on motorways. The personal misery for the owner is beyond doubt. Yet added to this are the resulting tailbacks and the negative press for caravan users.

With this in mind the Association of British Drivers have stepped in with safety tips on how to avoid overturning. Their spokesman Paul Biggs is a keen caravanner himself, and understands the perils of a ‘snaking’ situation (where a caravan swings from side to side). If ‘snaking’ is left uncorrected the caravan can swing round fully and collide with the towcar. The end result? The car and caravan starts to spin and eventually overturns.

Match the right caravan to your car

The first step to avoiding an accident or overturning can be taken before your outfit hits the road. Many accidents can be avoided if the car and caravan are correctly matched.
There is a useful rule of thumb to aid both beginners and those with experience.

– A fully laden caravan should not exceed 85 of the weight of the car.

Car manufactures often specify a maximum towing weight. While this may be less than the 85% ‘rule’explained here, it should still not be exceeded.

Often you will see advice given using this acronym: MTPLM. This stands for Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass. The MTPLM should not exceed 85% of the weight of the car, and only the most experienced caravanners should tow at 100%.

Weight distribution

Towing stability relies on how your caravan is loaded. It’s worth loading the heaviest items over the axle of the caravan. If loaded high up in lockers or towards the rear, this can cause issues when towing.

The nose weight on the towball is also an important factor. It is recommended that the optimum is 7% of its laden weight. If that sounds tricky to calculate, there are nose weight gauges available from caravan stores for around £30. The good news is that items can be arranged to adjust the caravan nose weight to suit the tow car.

Check tyres

In a similar way to driving a car, a caravan’s tyres need to be in good condition and inflated to the caravan manufacturers recommended pressure. It is worth remembering that your car tyre pressures may need to be inflated for towing. You can check your car handbook for the correct front and rear tyre inflation pressures.

Unlike car tyres, the tyre tread on a caravan rarely wears out due to low mileages. Yet other dangerous defects can develop due to lack of use and ageing. Signs that your tyre is defective are cracking, splitting or flat spots due to standing in one position. Owners are advised to replace tyres every five years even if they look okay.

Finally, it’s worth making sure the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct torque using a torque wrench. Punctures or blow-outs can happen to even the most careful caravanners, but fitting ‘Tyron Safety Bands’ provides a short ‘run flat’ capability, enabling you to drive to a place of safety without the flat tyre coming off or away from the wheel.

Controlling your vehicle

Cars towing a caravan will take longer to stop on the road. To the left is a table of stopping distances, but it’s worth remembering that in 70mph limits caravans are restricted to 60mph, and to 50mph in 60mph limits.

The easiest thing to remember however is that any combination of car and caravan will take longer to stop.
A useful hint is to avoid building up too much speed and momentum downhill – this is when snaking is most likely to occur.
Being overtaken by a large vehicle can also induce snaking.

Stability can also be dictated by crosswinds. If in doubt, adopt a lower speed. For example if the caravan begins to snake, don’t accelerate or brake. Lift off the accelerator to allow engine braking and loosen your grip on the steering wheel until the snaking is brought under control, then gently accelerate back up to speed.

Finally, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and brake gently unless an emergency stop is required.

Caravan Times Top Tip:

A caravan should be professionally serviced every 12 months regardless of how few miles have been travelled.

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