Caravan roll over, Grey Nomads news letter.

iana · Guru

Caravan roll over, Grey Nomads news letter.

Bill B · Guru

Also this article stated that the experienced driver tried to power out of the sway, instead of applying the van brakes manually.

-- Edited by Bill B on Tuesday 16th of April 2019 05:31:34 PM

-- Edited by Bill B on Tuesday 16th of April 2019 05:32:26 PM

yobarr · Guru

iana wrote:
Just having a close look at the picture of the caravan rollover and a read of the article in the news letter. I note there are what appears to be 4 water tanks mounted, two each side of the wheels. We have a tank each side of the wheels, and I feel that I can detect a change in the towing characteristics of the van when the front tank is getting empty and the rear is full. If this particular caravan had all but the rear most tank empty, then maybe that is what caused the stability problem.
Perhaps a water transfer system may prevent this, being able to transfer the water weight to the best tank would be worth looking at.

The stuff hanging off the rear bumper wouldnt have helped! Under my van I have 5 separate water tanks,each with its own tap,all feeding into one water line,making it very easy to keep the van balanced as levels drop.Cheers

the vicar · Member

dont jump to conclusions too early.i was sideswiped in tow vehicle and caravan by a b double semi and was speared 90 degrees to the right,i lost control of the car and caravan and very nearly rolled over.somehow i gained control.the b double did not stop.so its not always the tug/caravan setup when you see a roll over.

iana · Guru

After contemplating the issue, I realize it is just a matter of having a short length of hose connected to the tap mounted on the "A" frame. With the tank selected and the 12v pump on, water can be e transferred to which ever tank you chose.

Whenarewethere · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Under my van I have 5 separate water tanks, each with its own tap, all feeding into one water line, making it very easy to keep the van balanced as levels drop. Cheers

A bit like a Concorde to trim balance!

images (1).jpeg

Knight · Senior Member

the vicar wrote:
dont jump to conclusions too early.i was sideswiped in tow vehicle and caravan by a b double semi and was speared 90 degrees to the right,i lost control of the car and caravan and very nearly rolled over.somehow i gained control.the b double did not stop.so its not always the tug/caravan setup when you see a roll over.

A very good reason to have a dash camera to record events like that.

iana · Guru

I am not suggesting that the roll-over was caused by the incorrect distribution of weight of water in the tanks, but that it is something that we should be aware of, considering there is an easy fix. The picture just gave a good view of the water tanks that's all.

BW · Senior Member

Being an old road train driver I agree they should have put on the trailer brakes manually , that's what you do to get a road train back into line . My caravan is only a 16 ft and I can easily adjust the trailer brakes , so that I only have to touch the brakes and since the power for the brakes comes on with the brake lights , the trailer brakes come on first before the tug. easily straightening up the rig when I fell it swaying. I think its a lot to do with experience.

Bobdown · Guru

To me the rear tank looks like a grey water tank, could have been full or empty.

So much for 'the brand name ESC' controlling the sway, didn't do it's job apparently, agree with BW, trailer brakes manually first.

Eaglemax · Guru

Just posing a question.
If a van has rear mounted grey water tanks and are full, they would often be full from the water from the water tanks.
200kg moved from front to the rear would be less stable. Yes?

Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Thursday 18th of April 2019 01:52:28 PM

diggerop · Senior Member

I very much doubt that an 18ft van would have a 200 L grey water tank.

iana · Guru

Eaglemax, you are probably right, our van when delivered had the rear tank was a grey water tank, with the two water tanks in front of the axle, and I have met others that have the same, in the case of grey water tank full and water tanks empty, with the grey water tank so far back, would be the worst scenario.
I have moved the grey water tank up between the independent suspension, with water tanks either side. 200l probably not, 100lt maybe.

Olive Oil · Senior Member

Who needs a grey water tank anyway? Things are so dry around our country these days that the grass/bushes/trees (if there is any) would appreciate a bit of moisture.

littledick · Senior Member

Didn't he say he was doing 95ks down the hill. Stupid if that was the case!! hmm