Caravan and Motorhome on Tour article - Tips truckies wish Vanners knew

Kendo · Senior Member

Caravan and Motorhome on Tour article - Tips truckies wish Vanners knew

03_Troopy · Guru

Kendo wrote:
It's not a new topic but it is an important message for all
Article from Caravan and Motorhome on Tour here

Except this bit, which is ridiculous:
A tip from John is to use your electric brakes manually to keep your van towing nice and straight. When were being overtaken by a truck, I wind the electric brakes right down, and get my wife to slowly apply the electric brakes manually, John says. This is a good way to avoid unwanted sway in the van. The driver focuses on driving while passenger applies electric brakes manually. Not enough to pull it up, but enough to provide a bit of drag.

The driver should be the only one who uses the vehicle controls, and if he can't then he shouldn't be towing anyway.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Thanks Kendo ... good to read it again to refresh the memory.

There are quite a few comments on the same article posted earlier here - http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t60459521/advice-from-a-truckie/

Cheers - John

Kendo · Senior Member

Thanks John.

Yeah I've seen the other post (Mine was actually 5 hours earlier on the same day biggrin ). It was obviously put in a better spot to be seen

Anyway what was important was that the message got out and caused people to read, discuss, and learn about a very important topic.

Jeff

Phil C · Guru

Hi all

This discussion will probably go on forever.

Fact 1. There is a minority of both truckies and caravaners (for that matter drivers of cars too) that need lessons in road sharing and common courtesy.

Fact 2. There will also be a number of first timers that are so timid on the road they become a risk to everyone around them.

Fact 3. There are some arrogant drivers on our roads who claim to own all they see.

Conclusion.

Drive with the care, caution and belief that there will always be one of the above near your patch of bitumen.

Be safe and think about what you are doing.

Kendo · Senior Member

Thanks Phil. Good comments.

Baz421 · Guru

03_Troopy wrote:
Kendo wrote:
It's not a new topic but it is an important message for all
Article from Caravan and Motorhome on Tour here
Except this bit, which is ridiculous:
A tip from John is to use your electric brakes manually to keep your van towing nice and straight. When were being overtaken by a truck, I wind the electric brakes right down, and get my wife to slowly apply the electric brakes manually, John says. This is a good way to avoid unwanted sway in the van. The driver focuses on driving while passenger applies electric brakes manually. Not enough to pull it up, but enough to provide a bit of drag.
The driver should be the only one who uses the vehicle controls, and if he can't then he shouldn't be towing anyway.

Agree with John 100%. Also it is illegal for a non driver to operate controls.

Plus if you "wind the brakes right down",,, to achieve this crap,,, what happens if you need 100% braking immediately???

Hope I never meet this guy on the road OR around a campfire,,, I'd have my say for sure.

BEWARE - THEY ARE OUT THERE