anti snake

[TONUP]

I guess this question is all about your attitude to risk. Our caravan has an Al-Ko stabiliser hitch, and the electronic trailer control device fitted. I am very careful when loading it, and even use a proper noseweight gauge before setting off.

I don't have a lot of experience of towing (four years and maybe 13 trips), but I do think that these safety devices can only serve to improve safety.

I have a very cautious attitude to risk, and never tow above the legal speed limits, and I ensure my caranvan stays below the 85% recommendation.

This wont guarantee that I never have an accident, but I dont agree that it creates complacency through a reliance on technology, which I know some others believe.

Regards

Alan

 

[solarman216]

Yep load distribution is the key factor, I only have to load my off road car two inches out on the trailer and can feel the difference, never had it snake but can feel the urge is there if it is loaded wrong, and on the odd times I have loaded wrong (for various reasons not just error) I then just keep the speed down, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

got a good debate going on,all over a snake.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

got a good debate going on,all over a snake.

:lol:lol You can only get a good "mass debate" taking place on a forum, just worried that it is only guys joining in...:lol:lol

 

[melissachels]

I have never used a snake bar as I have nowhere on me horsebox or car to attach it too, Plus its a pony so he moves about, but thankfully no too much. but In my opinion its just common sense stay under 55mph & drive to conditions, mega windy just don't go.

 

[firebobby]

thanks guys.i cant afford a alko hitch,i normally overtake the lorries,.

Ah, but vans and coaches travel faster than lorries and when you can tow legally up to 60, they will be able to over take you.
I find the worse time is going down hill, this is when I take note of what's coming up behind me...once bitten :augie

Now our expensive add ons (kids) don't come with us any more, we travel fairly light, so not so much clutter and added weight:thumbs

 

[panelbeater]

yes when coaches etc past me i can feel the rig move but its stable.
i only go past the lorries when they are just under 60 so past then at 65 just to get in front .
some lorries just try to overtake but just have not got the power to and i back of a bit otherwise they hold the flow up.
i was towing a loaded trailer with logs and a left hooker decided to overtake me,it tried for ever and motors were backing up behind us both,so i just pulled away from him to make him pull over to let the traffic through.
he gave me a long blast on his horns.right or wrong i felt he could not get past and as i had a line of traffic behind me i just pulled away.

 

[rustic]

he gave me a long blast on his horns.right or wrong i felt he could not get past and as i had a line of traffic behind me i just pulled away.

He just made him self look a pratt...:doh
What happens then though, is the frustrated drivers well behind, see an opportunity to get past the lorry and several cars in one go, by undertaking on the inside.

Undertaking... sounds an appropriate word really.:nenau

Too many people not allowing enough time for their journey is the cause of many accidents.

A pratt driver gets away with it when alone, but put two together on the same road... Crrrrrruuuuuunnnncccchhhhhh.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

on subject of swb, my parents once borrowed a swb series 3 landy from fiiends as our
car was in garage for repairs. was dream come true for me in landy but nightmare for
mum and dad, was a 1973 astral ranger caravan 12 foot body back in day was hundred
weight per foot so clearly pretty light even for old style construction. ok no stabilizer
but boy did the van wag that pup. didnt dare go over 40mph and the 2 and a quarter
petrol drank for england, could see fuel gauge moving. Was supposed to be a tour of
scotland but with economy and handling only just got over border to north berwick!

 

[AD Ent]

could see fuel gauge moving. Was supposed to be a tour of
scotland but with economy and handling only just got over border to north berwick!

:lol:lol:lol

 

[panelbeater]

well i got back from my first trip out with the t2 and no problems towing.did not have any high cross winds though so i will hold of the bracket for a while and see how it goes.

 

[solarman216]

He just made him self look a pratt...:doh
What happens then though, is the frustrated drivers well behind, see an opportunity to get past the lorry and several cars in one go, by undertaking on the inside.

Undertaking... sounds an appropriate word really.:nenau

Too many people not allowing enough time for their journey is the cause of many accidents.

A pratt driver gets away with it when alone, but put two together on the same road... Crrrrrruuuuuunnnncccchhhhhh.

Sound word's there mate, unfortunately it happens too often, Rick

 

[pepsimaxrock]

I had 2 ponies in my Ifor 510 and my 2003 X trail and it snaked and overturned on the A1 going north down a hill in a medium to high wind.
Everyone was fine inc ponies and car.
Trailer was a write off
I use stabilisers now.
But this should not have happened. I dont want criticism of the trailer, or the car, everything was legal. Perhaps better combinations could have been made, but I dont need those suggestions I just wonder how it happened?

 

[darryl]

well im no expert but when towing a caravan on the motorway when I see a lorry or anything big I just take the car over the rumble strip to the left never had a problem:thumb2