Caravans....what a joke!

Creampuff · 06-07-2006, 05:15 PM

I just drove 5000 klms in 10 days, every caravan on the road could not do 80 k's...is it the caravans or can't those people drive!!!

06-07-2006, 05:19 PM

A lot of caravan drivers are older people who have retired. Also a lot are ignorant to the fact trailers are no longer limited to 80kmh.

Kryton · 06-07-2006, 05:20 PM

its a new style of people. the kind that retire, sell their house and travel the country towing caravans. their philosphy is "theres no rush, enjoy the journey".
thats all fine, but DO THE SPEED LIMIT PLEASE!!

Dazza XLT · 06-07-2006, 06:46 PM

Thats right. Most of them here do 90klm. Makes it very dangerous for everyone.
You should see the truckies. They sit right on the back of the van... And then overtake... Can't be good for the road toll.
I always get on the UHF and ask why they cannot seem to do the limit.
If i ever tow a van, I will guarantee that I will be doing 100! Nothing less.

LUXO_8 · 06-07-2006, 06:49 PM

repost.....http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=46332&

perhaps get some patience....

Dazza XLT · 06-07-2006, 06:53 PM

Apologies for wanting to travel at the posted speed limit on a highway.
I must be a hoon...

_

mowog · 06-07-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darran

Apologies for wanting to travel at the posted speed limit on a highway.
I must be a hoon...

_

The posted speed limit on a road is the maxium allowed. I do tow a camper but I tow it the posted speed limit of the road I am on "If the conditions allow"

The gotta be in front w@nkers are bigger risk on the road than those taking their time.

Dazza XLT · 06-07-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowog

The posted speed limit on a road is the maxium allowed. I do tow a camper but I tow it the posted speed limit of the road I am on "If the conditions allow"

I realise this. I too travel at the posted speed limit when conditions permit.
But what gets me is its a fine day, no breeze, 2 nice wide lanes, no traffic, and here they are, poking along at 80 and 90.

Thats my opinion on the subject.

Cheers.

Disco1986 · 06-07-2006, 07:20 PM

wots the big deal? just over take when safe and get over it! I might start a thread about trucks doing 100km in the 110 zone!

Dazza XLT · 06-07-2006, 07:21 PM

Apologies for having my own opinion.

:
I will keep it to myself in the future!

Scott · 06-07-2006, 07:25 PM

Darran please refrain from having an opinion in future.

gthofan · 06-07-2006, 07:25 PM

if you have ever towed a van u would understand why u drive slow. i have towed a 1.5 tonne van on many highways, when a car drives past you, from the opposite direction, the van gets thrown everywhere. the faster u travel, the worse it is. in fact if a big truck drives past from oncoming way, the van DOES get swept over to the wrong side of the road. its even worse when you get overtaken.
all i can say is just have patience, and give some respect to people towing a van, its bloody hard work in busy roads, i can assure u

Dazza XLT · 06-07-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMH8TR

Darran please refrain from having an opinion in future.

No Problemo

:

PH47 · 06-07-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowog

The posted speed limit on a road is the maxium allowed. I do tow a camper but I tow it the posted speed limit of the road I am on "If the conditions allow"

The gotta be in front w@nkers are bigger risk on the road than those taking their time.

Agreed. And noone is flaming your opinion they're just replying with their own opinions.. if you can't handle someone else replying with a different opinion i'd say that these (or ANY) forums are the wrong place for you.

Bluefreak · 06-07-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco1986

wots the big deal? just over take when safe and get over it! I might start a thread about trucks doing 100km in the 110 zone!

You do of course realise they are bound by the law NOT to exceed 100kph...???

I don't so much mind the vanners doing 80, I mind when there are ample turn-out opportunities and yet they refuse to allow others through and continue to hold up traffic. There is no excuse for that.

fangq · 06-07-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

if you have ever towed a van u would understand why u drive slow. i have towed a 1.5 tonne van on many highways, when a car drives past you, from the opposite direction, the van gets thrown everywhere. the faster u travel, the worse it is. in fact if a big truck drives past from oncoming way, the van DOES get swept over to the wrong side of the road. its even worse when you get overtaken.
all i can say is just have patience, and give some respect to people towing a van, its bloody hard work in busy roads, i can assure u

If a vehicle or vehicle/combination can't be driven at posted speeds because of safety issues, should it be allowed on those roads ? I live in Queensland, and the grey nomads are legion up this way, so we get to see lots of examples of what NOT to do when crusing off into the sunset as it were. If you want to see the dearth of driving skills as it relates to some of the baby boomers, camp at a caravan park and watch as the camp valets have to park the rigs, as their drivers cannot do same.

Steve
XR6T,,great grey nomad dodgem car

Dezza · 06-07-2006, 08:38 PM

While I don't enjoy being stuck behind a caravan doing 80, I can understand why they go very slow. Elaborating on what gthofan said, it can be easy for a caravan to start swaying and when it does it can be hard to control. I have to tell you about one of my teachers from when I was in year 12. He was the nicest bloke, and he was always telling us about his 3 daughters. Anyway, when he and his family went on holidays together a couple of years ago, his wife was driving and was towing a caravan when it started to sway. It forced her onto the other side of the road, where they had a head-on collision. The end result - one of this teacher's daughters was killed while their youngest one spent months in hospital in a critical condition. She has survived but her life will remain very difficult. A very sad incident, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. This is why caravans go so slow. Just keep that in mind.

MO · 06-07-2006, 09:15 PM

Make allowances ppl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It may be you one day!

Ghiadude · 06-07-2006, 09:21 PM

Towing a van isnt easy(i tow a large box trailer and a caravan every now and then) but some drivers fail to move over and let people past. I wouldnt recomend towing past 85/90 km/h. It might be deemed safe to 100km/h but i dont do it that often and so confidence is low as it should be with a combined weight over 2 tonnes. You blokes having a go at people towing a van should try it some time. you might learn a thing or two.

Bluefreak · 06-07-2006, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

While I don't enjoy being stuck behind a caravan doing 80, I can understand why they go very slow. Elaborating on what gthofan said, it can be easy for a caravan to start swaying and when it does it can be hard to control. I have to tell you about one of my teachers from when I was in year 12. He was the nicest bloke, and he was always telling us about his 3 daughters. Anyway, when he and his family went on holidays together a couple of years ago, his wife was driving and was towing a caravan when it started to sway. It forced her onto the other side of the road, where they had a head-on collision. The end result - one of this teacher's daughters was killed while their youngest one spent months in hospital in a critical condition. She has survived but her life will remain very difficult. A very sad incident, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. This is why caravans go so slow. Just keep that in mind.

That is why people should have to do some sort of training before they can tow a van... A properly set-up van and tow vehicle combination is extremely stable. Trouble is people often have no clue how to balance out the weight of both the tow vehicle and the van. Also, selecting the right tow vehicle is an issue... As far as I'm concerned, there should be a set of national guidelines as to exactly what any particular vehicle is capable of safely towing and van dealers should be forced to refuse sale to people with inadequate tow vehicles.

2 examples from my own experience... In both cases I sorted and packed required gear evenly into both the car and van to establish a good even weight distribution.

1. My father in-laws 18ft/1.6t van towed from Melbourne to Mt Beauty behind my Falcon wagon. Everytime I was passed, the van tried to change my predetermined direction of travel, ended up having to slow down quite a bit to keep things under control.

2. Same van towed behind my Mitsu Triton V6. Melbourne to Bright, so basically the same route as last example... Sat between 100 + 110kph, not a single sign of a wander at speed, being overtaken, overtaking or from oncoming trucks.

Both vehicles have very similar kerb weights but the rigid chassis and more task oriented suspension of the Triton seemed to win through.

Towing a big van ISN'T hard work if you know how to distribute load AND you have the appropriate tow vehicle for the job. An evenly matched and evenly loaded vehicle/van combination is a pleasure to tow and will rarely get out of shape on the highway at highway speeds.

ronwest · 07-07-2006, 12:13 AM

...if you think caravans are bad news, how would you like to follow this baby for a few hundred k's...

GRNKPR · 07-07-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

if you have ever towed a van u would understand why u drive slow. i have towed a 1.5 tonne van on many highways, when a car drives past you, from the opposite direction, the van gets thrown everywhere. the faster u travel, the worse it is. in fact if a big truck drives past from oncoming way, the van DOES get swept over to the wrong side of the road. its even worse when you get overtaken.
all i can say is just have patience, and give some respect to people towing a van, its bloody hard work in busy roads, i can assure u

caravan shouldnt sway if it has enough beer in it for holidays

RegSpec · 07-07-2006, 12:20 AM

When there was no dragstrip in Sydney we towed our dragster all over the place to go racing.
Ford Bronco with 8mtr enclosed trailer about 3 1/2 ton loaded used to honk down the freeway but on the hilly stuff she sure wasnt no speed machine.
I found that the worst part of all was some of the flips we encountered on our travels like, car drivers that didnt indicate,changed lanes at random,jump on the brakes at the bottom of the hill so you lose all your momentum and then have to climb up the hill at a snails pace holding up all the poor buggers behind you, some truckies were not much better but for the most part they werent to bad.
can tell you, Ive had some runs in the dragster that have really got my attention,but nothing like some of the scares weve had on the highway just towing to the event.

EXECJIM · 07-07-2006, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRNKPR

caravan shouldnt sway if it has enough beer in it for holidays

Only if the beer is stacked correctly in the caravan :eclipsee_

Oh, and a few travelers in the tow car

:

EXECJIM · 07-07-2006, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluefreak

That is why people should have to do some sort of training before they can tow a van... A properly set-up van and tow vehicle combination is extremely stable. Trouble is people often have no clue how to balance out the weight of both the tow vehicle and the van. Also, selecting the right tow vehicle is an issue... As far as I'm concerned, there should be a set of national guidelines as to exactly what any particular vehicle is capable of safely towing and van dealers should be forced to refuse sale to people with inadequate tow vehicles.

2 examples from my own experience... In both cases I sorted and packed required gear evenly into both the car and van to establish a good even weight distribution.

1. My father in-laws 18ft/1.6t van towed from Melbourne to Mt Beauty behind my Falcon wagon. Everytime I was passed, the van tried to change my predetermined direction of travel, ended up having to slow down quite a bit to keep things under control.

2. Same van towed behind my Mitsu Triton V6. Melbourne to Bright, so basically the same route as last example... Sat between 100 + 110kph, not a single sign of a wander at speed, being overtaken, overtaking or from oncoming trucks.

Both vehicles have very similar kerb weights but the rigid chassis and more task oriented suspension of the Triton seemed to win through.

Towing a big van ISN'T hard work if you know how to distribute load AND you have the appropriate tow vehicle for the job. An evenly matched and evenly loaded vehicle/van combination is a pleasure to tow and will rarely get out of shape on the highway at highway speeds.

Great post.

Just have a look at the clowns taking there rubbish to the local tip with there 6x4 trailor, it makes you shudder

:

The problem though is that some people cant be taught

:

Jim

mowog · 07-07-2006, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PH47

Agreed. And noone is flaming your opinion they're just replying with their own opinions.. if you can't handle someone else replying with a different opinion i'd say that these (or ANY) forums are the wrong place for you.

I wasnt flaming anyone just stating my opinion like you and every one else who has made comment on this thread. I dont always travel below the speed limit on the open road but when I do come across a slow (Car, Truck, Car and Van, Car and boat.... anything slower) I wait for my chance to overtake safely. Life is way to short to get frustrated just because someone is going a bit slower than you are. Frustration leads to making mistakes and overtaking mistakes on the open road are often fatal.

Creampuff · 07-07-2006, 07:35 AM

If you can't do the speed limit..get off the road,slow vehicles cause more accidents when you have 20 people behind you wanting to get somewhere!

XRchic · 07-07-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creampuff

If you can't do the speed limit..get off the road,slow vehicles cause more accidents when you have 20 people behind you wanting to get somewhere!

I also think that people with lack of tolerance, lack of patience and road rage are also a fair cause of accidents.

**Full Noise** · 07-07-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darran

You should see the truckies. They sit right on the back of the van... And then overtake... Can't be good for the road toll.

What sort of dickwit comment is this, how else are you supposed to overtake them Einstein?

Thanks to speed limiters, the days of sitting back and winding a truck up to 120 and getting past quickly and safely are long gone.

SunDrifter · 07-07-2006, 10:57 AM

ooh, there's enough comments here to offend everyone hey? How bout this. I hate it when blinged up semi's with spinners, towing caravans, driving at 80kph overtake me, when i'm swaying at the speed limit, with an evenly distributed load of beer on holidays.

better?

Patients people, if people want to go faster then you, great, if they want to go slower, great. Don't like it? Go rant on a forum

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