RV MAIL
LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
CHAIN FAILURE TOWING TRAINING?
Regarding crossing safety chains, after
having a real world experience with the tow
coupling bolt breaking and van detaching,
I find that the crossed chains have a flaw.
If, as in our case, the chains are attached at
the front of the drawbar, directly under and
no wider than the above hitch point, when
the break happens there is no guarantee the
coupling will fall into the crossed chains.
In our situation the coupling bypassed
the chains to the left and went under the
rear of the vehicle until the remainder of
the towbar hit a gas bottle.
The result was the drawbar on the ground
(not in the chain cradle as per the theory)
and I slowly controlled the van to a stop
75m down the road.
As a point of interest the chains were
just long enough to avoid catching when
manoeuvring as mentioned in your video.
The theory is great and all safety
precautions should be put in place, but as
sometimes happens it doesn't work in real
situations. As a driver with an LR licence, I fully
understand the need for driver education
when towing. I believe that all individuals
purchasing a caravan, which would bring
their GCM above 4.5 tonnes, should be
required to have some form of training.
I am so glad that I had previous experience
with size, length and load before purchasing
our first caravan. Towing a small 14ft 6in pop-
top was a great way to learn the differences
in driving the highways and certainly prepared
me for the larger van we now have.
And, of course, I also appreciate the
courtesy offered by other drivers (but not
always) and extend that to our truckies. But
there are those among us who have had no
training and offer no courtesy on the road,
which gives everyone a bad name.
One thing I have to say about the truckies is
that their level of courtesy has diminished over
the years. Once upon a time, when you slowed
and moved over to allow a truck to pass,
every driver would acknowledge you. But over
the last two or three years that seems to have
vanished and you would be lucky to have one
in 10 do so.
Lyndin
Via email
David McIntosh
Via email
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