Question For Caravan Owners

bluenose66 · 14th June 2008, 19:11

My wife on the way home was involved in a RTA with a ' runaway ' caravan that had become ' unhiched ' from the towing vehicle. It collided with her car head on and has written her car off. Luckily this caravan was only doing about 30mph, would hate to witness the result on a dual carriageway or heaven forbid motorway.

Anyway question to any caravan owners, what would cause the van to become unhiched like this ?. I have personally never heard of this before.

ragitty · 14th June 2008, 19:18

Sorry to hear about your accident, hopefully everyone is ok, I have worked in the caravan industry for the past 25 years or so, there are a couple of things that could allow the caravan to seperate from the towing vehicle.

Firstly the caravan was not hitched onto the towball correctly and by the sound of it the breakaway cable was not attached. this cable is independant and attached to the brake line of the caravan so in the event of a seperation the caravans handbrake is automatically pulled on.

Secondly the hitch somehow has broken away from the shaft or the towball away from the backing plate.

There could be many explanations but they are the two that I would be looking at.

Give windrush (derek) a shout he has been caravanning for many years and may be able to advise you further.

actros · 14th June 2008, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluenose66

My wife on the way home was involved in a RTA with a ' runaway ' caravan that had become ' unhiched ' from the towing vehicle. It collided with her car head on and has written her car off. Luckily this caravan was only doing about 30mph, would hate to witness the result on a dual carriageway or heaven forbid motorway.

Anyway question to any caravan owners, what would cause the van to become unhiched like this ?. I have personally never heard of this before.

The only thing i can put it down to they had not hiched it up corectly and it should not have got away he had not got his safty cable on iether so he must be a nunpty. The modern vans have a indecator on them to show you thats it hitch on.

ragitty · 14th June 2008, 19:37

you may find this link of interest which will give you some explanation of how the system works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAZMqOzdJA4

stocktake · 14th June 2008, 19:48

Got to agree with above, almost certainly human error. The hitch could be forgetfully placed ontop of the ball and not Locked on. It is possible to tow in a straight line like this but as soon as you come to a bend it tends to let go .....(don't ask)

Only other thing is tow ball breaking and safety brake wire being incorrectly positioned anound the ball. In effect if the ball broke the safety brake would not enguage.

stef_uk · 14th June 2008, 21:59

am i right in saying if the van wasn't hooked up to the tow car it wasn't insured unless the van has its own policy?

Jamie · 14th June 2008, 22:12

Ex caravan owner here....

Most modern caravans have a friction type tow hitch which has to tightened onto the tow ball, if left loose the hitch does not grip the ball and a caravan can then start to fishtale, if the ball is a little worn it can easily pull off the ball altogether.

but having said that I agree with the above, most likely cause is a combination of poor maintence and human error, in any case you have cause for a claim...but against the car insurance or the caravan insurance...not sure.

was your wife Ok???

bluenose66 · 15th June 2008, 12:42

Thanks for the replies and advice folks. The other parties insurance have accepted full responsibility for the accident. Wife is very stiff and in a lot of pain in neck area. Children who were in the back suffered from seat belt bruising and shock. Wife has said she won't go out next Friday the 13th !!

windrush · 15th June 2008, 12:48

I can only add to what has all ready been said the modern car and caravan are quite safe really it only lack of maintenance and lack of care that does causes rare accidents with caravans

stocktake · 15th June 2008, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluenose66

Thanks for the replies and advice folks. The other parties insurance have accepted full responsibility for the accident. Wife is very stiff and in a lot of pain in neck area. Children who were in the back suffered from seat belt bruising and shock. Wife has said she won't go out next Friday the 13th !!

Could have been really nasty that John by the sounds of it.
Hope it all works out OK.

14th June 2008, 19:11	#1
bluenose66 Loves to post MG ZT CDTI+ 135 Auto -Intake Mod 2 - EGR Bypass Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bristol Posts: 325 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question For Caravan Owners My wife on the way home was involved in a RTA with a ' runaway ' caravan that had become ' unhiched ' from the towing vehicle. It collided with her car head on and has written her car off. Luckily this caravan was only doing about 30mph, would hate to witness the result on a dual carriageway or heaven forbid motorway. Anyway question to any caravan owners, what would cause the van to become unhiched like this ?. I have personally never heard of this before.

14th June 2008, 19:18	#2
ragitty I really should get out more....... Jeep Cherokee Orvis Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 2,666 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Sorry to hear about your accident, hopefully everyone is ok, I have worked in the caravan industry for the past 25 years or so, there are a couple of things that could allow the caravan to seperate from the towing vehicle. Firstly the caravan was not hitched onto the towball correctly and by the sound of it the breakaway cable was not attached. this cable is independant and attached to the brake line of the caravan so in the event of a seperation the caravans handbrake is automatically pulled on. Secondly the hitch somehow has broken away from the shaft or the towball away from the backing plate. There could be many explanations but they are the two that I would be looking at. Give windrush (derek) a shout he has been caravanning for many years and may be able to advise you further. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Dance like no-ones watching

14th June 2008, 19:37	#4
ragitty I really should get out more....... Jeep Cherokee Orvis Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 2,666 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	you may find this link of interest which will give you some explanation of how the system works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAZMqOzdJA4 __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Dance like no-ones watching

14th June 2008, 19:48	#5
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,591 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Got to agree with above, almost certainly human error. The hitch could be forgetfully placed ontop of the ball and not Locked on. It is possible to tow in a straight line like this but as soon as you come to a bend it tends to let go .....(don't ask) Only other thing is tow ball breaking and safety brake wire being incorrectly positioned anound the ball. In effect if the ball broke the safety brake would not enguage. __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

14th June 2008, 21:59	#6
stef_uk Gets stuck in ZT75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: leicestershire Posts: 904 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	am i right in saying if the van wasn't hooked up to the tow car it wasn't insured unless the van has its own policy? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

14th June 2008, 22:12	#7
Jamie Posted a thing or two In Limbo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Ex caravan owner here.... Most modern caravans have a friction type tow hitch which has to tightened onto the tow ball, if left loose the hitch does not grip the ball and a caravan can then start to fishtale, if the ball is a little worn it can easily pull off the ball altogether. but having said that I agree with the above, most likely cause is a combination of poor maintence and human error, in any case you have cause for a claim...but against the car insurance or the caravan insurance...not sure. was your wife Ok??? __________________ Finally given up trying to buy the last new rover V8 from Bristol, 2 years of haggling got me nowhere!

15th June 2008, 12:42	#8
bluenose66 Loves to post MG ZT CDTI+ 135 Auto -Intake Mod 2 - EGR Bypass Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bristol Posts: 325 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the replies and advice folks. The other parties insurance have accepted full responsibility for the accident. Wife is very stiff and in a lot of pain in neck area. Children who were in the back suffered from seat belt bruising and shock. Wife has said she won't go out next Friday the 13th !!

15th June 2008, 12:48	#9
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	I can only add to what has all ready been said the modern car and caravan are quite safe really it only lack of maintenance and lack of care that does causes rare accidents with caravans __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM