Discussion Forum - Caravan World

We were travelling out of Toowoomba in left lane, on double lanes going up an incline and a large old bus/motorhome tried to overtake us and the front of the bus over the passenger side hit our caravan on the top front. It knocked the car and the van sideways. He didn't stop and when we looked behind to find him he had disappeared. Turned off a side road probably. Damage was minimal but squashed the top of the van. A very bad mannered and unsafe driver. Jan.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 month ago

We were on the Barkly hwy travelling E- to W and a road train not only passed us but did so damn dangerously that he turned his LH indicator on when his cabin was beside us and ran out of passing room .Luckily I was watching ahead as well and was able to brake sufficiently to just let him in in time.We would have been minced meat -just because he wanted to be behind his mate in another Road Train. Ignorance personified as all he would have got was shock and we would have been dead.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

Hello Fellow Travellers. I've been towing vans for over 40 years, and have come to the realisation that most car drivers have no idea of how caravans or other large vehicles behave, so I just give them plenty of room to do whatever they like. Frustrating? - sometimes, but better to be safe than sorry!
In regards to trucks - 99 out of every 100 truckies are competent professionals who are trying to earn a living on the same roads we are using for recreation. I have seldom found one who is not grateful when we give them right of way and let them go about their business.
"Easy does it" means we arrive safely and less stressed at our destination to enjoy our cuppa or coldie.
Cheers all - Mick.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

We were heading north west through muswellbrook on the new england hwy. as we negotiated the roundabout at the southern end of the main st(in the centre lane) two 4wd came past in the left lane a suddenly turned RIGHT, in front of us. I hit the anchors and luckily the van did not jacknife. Rang the police and all they said was call in and make a statement and we will investigate. Yeah right.
Frank
K&FT

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

We were on the highway behind three double semi's when the last one decided to overtake the others on a sweeping bend. A car coming from the other direction had to swerve between the white poles and only just managed to stay upright. Lots of "words" from the truckies CB's. Always give them room. Too big to argue with if they want to be right.

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

i drive one of these road trains and a great tool to have is a UHF radio. to converse with the driver. Most of them are great people and the way to let them pass is not to slow down 20 kph or break suddenly as the professional driver has already got his vehicle on an aproach so he can pull out as he rounds the next bend or approaching vehicle passes. If you slow down it means he has to break oor slow down and then it will take the heavy ones about 5 ks to wind up . Then the same thing happens again and frustration starts to set in and anger , then everything turns to custurd.if you want to slow down after he has pulled out that is great as he will get around much quicker and you will not see him again. Remember you are on holiday and sight seeing . He is on a deadline and he knows this road like you know your caravan layout. Also when trucks pass you on double lines it isnt as crazy as you think . There is usually his mate up front about a km or so telling him on the uhf what is coming. It doesnt make it right but it is a practice done by many . hopefully this can help. Please take notice as this is good advice from 30 yeara experienct I tow triple roadtrains with 115 tonne on board so i know what im talking about. than0ks if you read this mick

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

opps my name is david k

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

its a pity that when we are taught to drive we are not told about big vehicles NEED more space to stop no matter what speed they are doing . LETS ALL REMEMBER THIS .

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

Having heard many times that car & van combinations need a lot of care, we slow down to about 70-75KMPH and pull well over to the left when approaching road trains in good conditions - or are more careful in bad conditions . So far no dramas.
Concerning the bad judgement of some drivers when overtaking, it appears that some people believe that blind corners and double lines indicate that overtaking is not only optional but compulsory.
The solution really comes down to education, traing and experience - perhaps we should all have to pass a 'personal roadworthy' test (eyesight, reflexes, knowledge of road laws, driving tests etc) every three years or so.

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

A month ago I was traveling straight on a 80km road...pouring rain, when i saw an old landcruser towing a boat slowing down to the T intersection on my left. When I realised that he was'nt stopping afterall, i slamed on the brakes (wasnt towing van at the time) and managed to veer slightly to hit his front tyre instead of his door.
Now instead of updating my ute, I need to replace it. He has no insurance and I dont have full insurance but hopefully we can come to some arrangements... the point to this is, Once I got over my tantram and had a few drinks...one good thing should came out of this...(i hope) at least he now knows that while towing something heavy.. he needs to apply his breaks a bit sooner before an intersection and perhaps a bit sooner still, in wet conditions. Brenda.

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posted 4 months ago

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

Whoops, forgot to put my name to the overtaking comment out of Beaudesert, It is Diane T

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

We were travelling out from Beaudesert when we became aware of a small car behind us. There were numerous safe opportunities for this car to pass but it did not. When it did decide there was not enough room, there was a bend approaching, the lines on our side signalled no overtaking and there was a van coming towards us and other taffic behind it. The car zipped in; we had no option but to brake heavily to avoid the front of the Troopy being removed. The driver then waved their fist at us in anger. We were stunned and shall I say somewhat angry that this driver had endangered so many lives. With vehicle and van we were well over 11 metres in length. Just amazing.

Comment by Unknown

posted 4 months ago

hello my name is Rob.. I was on Kanggaroo Island SA my carravan is a old 22 ft coronet only had hydrolic brakes and in those day all the roads were gravel so the van pooshed rather than stoping. the corragations were bad allso the van was realy good to handel on the dirt roads till you wanted to stop. I was only doing 80K when I came over a large hill near the vivon bay shop witch came onto a one lane bridge. There were other cars aproching the bridge allso coming towards me.I braked slitely but just the frount brakes skided in the gravel spraying it in a cloud of dust not slowing down at all. If it wasnt for the quick thinking drivers on the bridge that scated out of the way notising I had brake problems we would have all been bugged.They even stoped helped us look for the problem. We had a new exaust put on the car before we left but the ruff roads made it twist around snd it melted theough the brake line. if you are out there and read this thanks again every one and safe travels..Rob..

Comment by Unknown

posted 5 months ago

Have had similar experience when cresting a hill where a slow truck was in front and had entered the RH lane ahead of me when a G.....T cut in between us. Luckily as your experience the brakes worked well howeve I think the other driver needed to stop further along the road as my air horns at full volume may have caused him to have a type of "movement"
Neil C

Comment by Unknown

posted 5 months ago

Having a Road Train pass on Barrier Highway about 30K out from Cobar I had to maintain constant speed of 95K/hr to prevent van and tow vehicle being sucked into the trailers. Acceleration or deceleration was not an option as either action may have caused my rig to become unstable.
Neil C

Comment by Unknown

posted 5 months ago

The wife and I were towing our caravan in peak afternoon traffic when a driver (happened to be of the female gender) decided she wanted to be in our lane. Nothing unusual except that traffic lights were red and we were slowing down without having to brake hard until this driver got in front of us and braked hard to avoid hitting the car in front of her. What can I say except that I found out that our caravan electric brakes worked wonders and we did not end up inside the boot of her car. Oh yes I am sure she still wonders why I "tooted her".
Shew is like many drivers that do not realize thata car& caravan combination needs more room to slow down than just a car, Heavy vehicle drivers will understand.

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