Got involved with ACA/Ch9 in the 90's for about 6 months after they ran a lot of rubbish on the Ford Capri & Louisville. Not very nice and none of it true. Never ever believe an interview where they do not show the interviewer and interviewee in the same picture otherwise it's a cut and past job. They tried to crucify a chap once who had recorded his interview on his phone. He was able to prove that ACA/Ch9 had cut and pasted the interview to Q & A that were not what really happened. Same happened to Ford with ACA/Ch9 at the same time. They promised to clean up their act but that only happened until law cases were settled.
Yes Rusty to true all current affair programs do it, remember the Chris Skase affair the story ACA done in Spain the producer got the arse for that one.
But they will keep on being sensational story tellers as the ad income beats the damage pay outs.
Not sure now but the highest advertising fees were charged during 9News & ACA due to the high number of viewers. However as 9News and ACA crucified major corporations they pulled their advertising and 9 were having trouble getting big spenders.
I just watched this story on ACA (after I pulled my fingernails out) bit better story this time but still very biased IMHO. Looked like the prangs were a result of excess speed and no ESC.
I sit on 80 to 90KMsper hour. Over and out
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Watched it. Wasn't the beat up I expected. Speed and bad load distribution appeared to be the issue. Wonder if crappy loads on a trailer carrying such loads as furniture is a bigger issue per user. And it's not just caravans that go 80 in 100 zones in single lane roads and then go 100 when there is a passing lane. Mostly it's cars and it's my biggest beef. Even bigger than those travelling 80 in the right lane on a multi-lane 100/110 road and not moving over.
As usual a collection of spectacular caravan crashes probably taken over a 6 month period or more
Once again no useful information on HOW TO GET OUT OF THE WOBBLE IF IT OCCURS.
They did have an old caravaner telling people how to load and not to speed but no onw seems to tell people how to react if it happens.
IMO
accelerate and use electric finger brake control to straighten up the van then slowly decelerate
DO NOT
Touch foot brake or make any violent turns on the steering
As usual a collection of spectacular caravan crashes probably taken over a 6 month period or more Once again no useful information on HOW TO GET OUT OF THE WOBBLE IF IT OCCURS.
They did have an old caravaner telling people how to load and not to speed but no onw seems to tell people how to react if it happens.
IMO accelerate and use electric finger brake control to straighten up the van then slowly decelerate DO NOT Touch foot brake or make any violent turns on the steering
IMHO the quickest save is to touch the brake pedal to activate the van brakes but not the tug brakes.
IMO Paul that would make it worse Electric brakes have a finger slide on the controller This apply s the brakes on the van only which will bring it back in line Thats what it is for ! IMO Touching the foot brake in any way while you are in a wobble is Very Very dangerous !
Peter,
Aussie Paul no doubt has his footbrake lights adjustment so as soon as the brake light comes on the van brakes activate but not the tug brakes.
This has the same result as using the slider but leaving both hands on the steering wheel which I think is safer.
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
I would like to add my 10 cents worth on this topic particuarly after seeing the storyon the box.
Most of us have probably had little or no nasty problems occur whilst travelling hopefully for all it stays that way but,
Im a nearly retired (next week)automotive business manager / mechanic for the past 35 years and particularly in areas specialising in brakes ,car ,caravan and truck air systems and owning a 2t Kingdom Kensington.
My point ,over the last few years I have dealt with an increasing number of caravan owners that believe once the controller is fitted that's it hit the road all good ,wrong.
Please all caravaners understand how the controller works ,understand how the manual control works and test it with ten to fifteen km test using only the caravan brakes to stop the vehicle comfortably ,doing this test in itself teaches how to adjust or set the controller although most are automatic sensing these days .
As an example a customer came to me a couple of weeks ago with a Prado ,every time he went down the Clyde mountain to the south coast and came back he had cooked brakes......Brake controller was set at 1.5 v auto or not that's as far as it goes,2.t van.
For those that don't know you can also ,if you can keep cool of head,use the manual control to settle a swaying van whilst the tug is pulling.
Probably not news to most but please the simple things save you heartache etc,just reaquaint elves with your system.
Lastly with the van unhooked how many of you have tested your Breakaway system,simple as pulling a plug,
Happy travels ,I we will be on road from end Feb for 5 months and can't wait
I would like to add my 10 cents worth on this topic particuarly after seeing the storyon the box.
Most of us have probably had little or no nasty problems occur whilst travelling hopefully for all it stays that way but,
Im a nearly retired (next week)automotive business manager / mechanic for the past 35 years and particularly in areas specialising in brakes ,car ,caravan and truck air systems and owning a 2t Kingdom Kensington.
My point ,over the last few years I have dealt with an increasing number of caravan owners that believe once the controller is fitted that's it hit the road all good ,wrong.
Please all caravaners understand how the controller works ,understand how the manual control works and test it with ten to fifteen km test using only the caravan brakes to stop the vehicle comfortably ,doing this test in itself teaches how to adjust or set the controller although most are automatic sensing these days .
As an example a customer came to me a couple of weeks ago with a Prado ,every time he went down the Clyde mountain to the south coast and came back he had cooked brakes......Brake controller was set at 1.5 v auto or not that's as far as it goes,2.t van.
For those that don't know you can also ,if you can keep cool of head,use the manual control to settle a swaying van whilst the tug is pulling.
Probably not news to most but please the simple things save you heartache etc,just reaquaint elves with your system.
Lastly with the van unhooked how many of you have tested your Breakaway system,simple as pulling a plug,
Happy travels ,I we will be on road from end Feb for 5 months and can't wait
Thanks for a great post Rasty,
There is not much more than can be said...safety comes from understanding how all things caravan work.
Education of the ignorant is the only way that the dangers of towing a van will be recognised by those who think they know.
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"Seek the truth or bury you head in the sand, both require some digging"
There are two measures that reduce the risk of sway.
1) Make sure the tug weighs more than the van. Many sway situations and rollovers are caused by the"tail wagging the dog".
2) First time vanners should be required to take a tow ed course before they set off.
Mr Jones drove his Camry to work for 25 years.....retires and buys himself a 6 tonne combination tug and van and off he goes.....no idea what he is doing and learning from experience!
Who are they blaming this time.
Back packers at it again We suspect.
