Do's and don't of towing a caravan please
#31
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When I was towing my car a couple of years ago I got into a snake (because the car was on the trailer backwards) and it probably the most scarey thing I've ever experienced It was on an A road and happened at 50 mph for no reason so I pointed it down the white line (no traffic) and took my feet off of everything and just tried to hold it straight and wait for it to slow itself down.
#32
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Originally Posted by paulpalmer
When I was towing my car a couple of years ago I got into a snake (because the car was on the trailer backwards) and it probably the most scarey thing I've ever experienced It was on an A road and happened at 50 mph for no reason so I pointed it down the white line (no traffic) and took my feet off of everything and just tried to hold it straight and wait for it to slow itself down.
#34
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I know that now At the time it only had half an engine and most of the parts were in the boot but it still made it very unstable. I didn't know much about towing at the time but I'd never do that again and I'm always shocked when I see so many people towing cars backwards.
#35
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Originally Posted by Dream Weaver
Lee, when snaking do you accellerate to pull out of it or slow down to slow the snake down? My instincts would say to speed up.
#36
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Paul is right.
Don't do anything quickly, come off the power slowly and dip the clutch. Try and keep the car straight using the smallest steering input possible and do any steering movements slowly.
It's in this situation where a good stabiliser is worth it's weight in gold, as long as you are smooth with the car the stabiliser will damp out the swaying of the trailer.
Lee
Don't do anything quickly, come off the power slowly and dip the clutch. Try and keep the car straight using the smallest steering input possible and do any steering movements slowly.
It's in this situation where a good stabiliser is worth it's weight in gold, as long as you are smooth with the car the stabiliser will damp out the swaying of the trailer.
Lee
#37
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Hope your not towing the 26' twin axled van with that Saab
For the drive tommorrow we'll have no luggage in the car and just a tent (big one) in the van and I loaded it on the floor over the axle. I must confess I shat it a little when the van was hooked up and I saw how long the whole package is
We're not tourning or anything so it'll be one trip up and possibly a trip down if we choose not to store the van up there all year round. My dad owns the croft with a few statics on it so the van will be pitched up there and used as our poker room and cafe We'll be taking on the A9 early tommorrow so if any scoobys overtake I expect to hear those d/v's sounding off as you pass Our number plate is quite appropriate for a MY95 saab 9000CD
Cheers for the advice all
#38
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Have you remembered to fit an extension mirror? Very handy if you need to pull out to overtake anything on the m-way.
#39
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Originally Posted by sparkykev
Have you remembered to fit an extension mirror? Very handy if you need to pull out to overtake anything on the m-way.
Lee
#41
If you ensure that the centre of gravity of the caravan is forward of its own axle(s) then it will be stable and you will not experience the dreaded swaying which is horrifically dangerous. It does not have to be very nose heavy but never tail heavy in any way.
Les
Les
#42
Do slow others down.
Don't pull over to let others past.
Do drive over cliffs.
Do drive someone where, live in a small box and think you are having fun.
Oh the joys of alcohol!
Each to their own, you sad git!
(only joking!)
Don't pull over to let others past.
Do drive over cliffs.
Do drive someone where, live in a small box and think you are having fun.
Oh the joys of alcohol!
Each to their own, you sad git!
(only joking!)
#43
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Well it all went swimmingly I have to say that the journey was totally trouble free and the van never did anything than exactly follow the line of the car. I even kept up a good pace of around 60mph and sometimes even a little more . Only a slight suction when passing lorries but not enough to cause any concern. The van is now nicely sited up north ready for our holiday and I'm bloody shattered after being battered by west-scottish weather whilst trying to clear a field that resembled the amazon jungle!
Wished I'd had my pug for the pull so I could have horsed up some of the bigger hills. The 2.0 Saab 9000 struggled a little.
Cheers for the advice
Wished I'd had my pug for the pull so I could have horsed up some of the bigger hills. The 2.0 Saab 9000 struggled a little.
Cheers for the advice
#44
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Good to hear it all went well.
Modern vans with Alko style chassis, suspension and sloping fronts do tow nice.
Early box shape vans with steel chassis and coil springs/ leaf springs were a nighmare.
Cheers
Lee
Modern vans with Alko style chassis, suspension and sloping fronts do tow nice.
Early box shape vans with steel chassis and coil springs/ leaf springs were a nighmare.
Cheers
Lee
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