Brand new caravan totalled in M1 rollover

[D4D]

Not a good start to caravan ownership - A brand new $86,000 caravan was totalled on the M1 this morning about 30 minutes after being collected by its proud owners.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/01/07/280871_gold-coast-news.html

[Mick T]

OH Cr@p hope they had their insurance in place

[DANBRI]

My dad got bumped around there. Lady just drove into the side of the van, you could see the wheel scallop. Luckily he kept it all together.

I'll be passing through there on Sunday, wish me luck! 

[cardinal28]

I know its easy to criticise, but personally I think something a bit bigger than a Ford Ranger ute would be a lot more safer to tow a van of that size. Anyway, good to see they survived with no injuries.

[D4D]

The 4x4 Ranger is rated a 3T for the manual, I wouldn't want to tow 3T with it.

Looking at pic 12, the WDH, hitch, hitch receviver, shackles and chains are all hanging off the coupling and pic 23 where this is no visible towbar. Looks to me like the towbar itself snapped off the vehicle.

[Robbo]

Yep. Saw that this morning. Not a good way to treat a brand new van, aparantly it got the speed wobbles and jacknifed. Sure did make a mess and a major traffic jam. Luckily i was in the southbound lane so was'nt affected greatly. Makes you wonder about the choice of tow vehicle though. Would't have happened to a camper trailer.

[Monty94]

You can see the collar for the towbar still on the hitch with the pin still in it.  Snapped off the bar itself 

[D4D]

Yup and in the other pics the owner is holding what looks like the hitch that came with the towbar. I assume the carvan dealer changed it to a WDH. It could get ugly.

[speewa158]

Recken I will stick to my solt floor , do you reckon the solar on the side/roof work well ? Poor Bastard 

[Barrabart]

Yep not a good start to 2011........... and yep i reckon their would be some finger pointing, insurance calls and solicitor phone calls happening by now........ poor bugger.

[Barry G]

Wonder what the ball weight would be?  Hard to imagine that any beast this size could be pulled other than with a WDH.

I once had a dual axle trailer carrying a VW type 3 wagon speed wobble / jackknife on me for no apparent reason at sub 80kph. Thankfully kept both up-right, but took all lanes of the Monash Freeway to bring it to a halt.  Slammed the sound wall and pretty much wrecked all 3 vehicles in the process.  

There is no way this poor bloke had a chance once that van started moving, at any speed.

[Kit_e_kat9]

All I can say is "Jesus ... what the hell just happened?"



Poor buggers.  What happens to make the tow vehicle roll?  Of course, where the towveh goes the van is sure to follow.  Well by the looks of the photo's the roll out awning is stuffed.  

When we collected our Baby, we made sure that all the brakes, lights and driver were working before we left the industrial estate, and as this couple did, we hit the highway.  You really do trust those salesmen and women that sell you the dream vehicle, but I think alot is also common sense and regulatory investigation.  I'd love to know the whole story.

Kit_e

[Tezza1974]

my company has supplied me with a Ford Ranger for work and I wouldnt want to use that as a tow vehicle for such a large van.......put a ton on the tray and the ranger cant even steer properly......bad luck for them and hope they get covered and obviously learn from whatever mistakes happened

[D4D]

Yup it would have been the tail wagging the dog once she got the speed wobbles up

[speewa158]

If I need extra weight I find it best to put another slab in the back till the tow is of equal weight . Then to adjust to the correct weight  biring them to the correct temp & drinkum . 

[Kit_e_kat9]

If I need extra weight I find it best to put another slab in the back till the tow is of equal weight . Then to adjust to the correct weight  biring them to the correct temp & drinkum . 

Always the voice of reason Speewa!   

[tinkera]

If I need extra weight I find it best to put another slab in the back till the tow is of equal weight . Then to adjust to the correct weight  biring them to the correct temp & drinkum . 

The wisdom of Solomon as usual Speewa.You should be writing the rules for the Transport department keep the good work coming. TINKERA.

[outback jack]

my thoughts exactly 

[Kit_e_kat9]

Check out what they had for 30 mins.  Best 30 mins ever I reckon!!!!

http://www.newagecaravans.com.au/new-age-caravans/the-jewel.html

Kit_e

[NewcastleKnight]

Check out what they had for 30 mins.  Best 30 mins ever I reckon!!!!

http://www.newagecaravans.com.au/new-age-caravans/the-jewel.html

Kit_e

Very flash, hence the price tag.,,

[morgue]

This ain't going to be pretty, good to see no one was injured, a dual cab to pull a van of that size, without proper wait over the rear axle on the dual cab...askin for trouble at speed, ie over 80kph.
There is going to be some serious finger pointing, egos, lawyers..man.... this is going to get nasty...
Towing a decent van of this weight and size say 2000kg, that is some serious weight being pulled behind an unloaded dual cab, talking about having a tiger by the tail.

[Black Diamond]

Strooth! 

Gotta feel for them. What rotten luck.

[gbdid]

I wonder if the wobbles had anything to do with not enough towball downweight? It would be very interesting to find out if anyone ever gives an answer as to the cause of the wobbles.

[speewa158]

Both the tow & the van would be about the same weight , what happenen to the trailer brakes . If the wobbles started to take over a jab on the trailer brakes only would stretch out the combo . this should sort out the problem pronto. Then slowly bring it to a stop . Might be just had no idea how its done .Do you reckon the driver is going to gather a mouthful from somebody on their driving skills   

[Pauly]

Been looking at the pics and I think Barry might be on the money. I would love to know the measurements of that van it looks like if you take the front sloppy bit off then the axles dont look too far back. Ad in the 2 heavy spare tyres on the back, empty water tanks and an unloaded ute I would guess the driver was mearly a passenger. I am assuming from the pics the water tanks are forward of the axles and their full weight would be factored in the calcs. Bad luck for all involved.
I wouldnt stress too much about the tow hitch, the forces put on it having the van flip and the car roll would be huge, something had to give.

Would love to know what the wreck gets at auction as it would be a good project