Caravanning is a popular trend for countless Australians, offering the freedom to explore the vast and beautiful landscapes of our country.
With nearly a million caravan enthusiasts traversing the roads, the journey is often as rewarding as the destination.
However, the dream of a perfect road trip can quickly turn into a nightmare, as one Victorian couple discovered just 50 km from the safety of their home.
The couple’s harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise when towing a caravan.
They were concluding an ‘amazing’ 5,000 km trip when their caravan suddenly rolled over on the Hume Highway.
The unsettling images they shared online depicted their overturned caravan and vehicle, a chilling sight for any traveller.
The woman recounted the terrifying moment, ‘One side of the road had been resurfaced, except the other side hadn’t. All of a sudden, the car felt weird, like someone took control of the steering wheel.’
‘We just tried to keep straight, looked in the mirrors, and the van was beside the car. Once it flipped that stopped the car from rolling. Only thing we can think is that the caravan wheel got caught on the edge of the raised asphalt (150mm)!’
Fortunately, they were unharmed and grateful that no other vehicles, especially a semi-trailer, were involved. This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of caravanning and the importance of being prepared for any situation.
In another alarming incident, travellers Ian and Debbie faced a split-second decision when an oncoming car appeared on a bend.
‘A car came round the bend. I estimated he was doing probably at least 100km/h. I had about two seconds to react, to swerve to the right, and then started to lose control of the van, swerved to the left, trying to bring her back under control again,’ Ian explained.
Ian’s quick manoeuvring to avoid a collision resulted in their caravan rolling over. Thanks to their DO35 hitch, their 4WD remained upright, likely sparing them from more severe damage.
After patching up their caravan in Alice Springs, the couple continued their journey, albeit with a newfound caution.
These stories are not isolated incidents. Jason Plant, CEO of Caravan Trade and Industry Association Queensland (CTIAQ), warns that while caravan rollovers are less common than car accidents, they can significantly disrupt or even end a road trip.
Luke Chippendale of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia notes that out of 223 caravan crashes in 2023, 14 involved rollovers.
The risk of head-to-head or nose-to-tail incidents remains higher, often due to tailgating or not being aware of the caravan’s weight and speed.
Experts agree that education is key to preventing such disasters.
Gary Gardiner from Total Towing Setups emphasises that there is ‘no one thing’ that can lead to a rollover, citing several factors that come into play.
This includes mismatched vehicle and caravan pairings, improper loading, lack of emergency driving skills, road conditions, inadequate towing equipment, and inattention to other drivers.
An incorrectly loaded caravan may not directly cause a crash, but it can exacerbate the vehicle’s response to sudden movements, increasing the risk of losing control.
Gardiner advises taking an accredited driving/towing course and having the caravan weighed by a professional to ensure safety.
Speeding, low tyre pressure, and a longer towbar overhang can also contribute to instability and increase the likelihood of a jackknife or rollover. In the event of an accident, CTIAQ recommends remaining calm, turning off the engine if safe, unbuckling the seatbelt, exiting the vehicle, and calling emergency services.
To our readers who love the caravanning lifestyle, we urge you to take these warnings seriously. Ensure your caravan adventures are safe by:
- Regularly servicing your caravan and tow vehicle.
- Understanding and using the correct towing equipment.
- Loading your caravan properly and having it weighed.
- Taking a towing course to sharpen your skills.
- Being vigilant about road conditions and other drivers.
- Avoiding speeding and ensuring your tyres are properly inflated.
By following these guidelines, you can help prevent a disaster on your next caravanning trip. Have you experienced a close call while towing your caravan, or do you have any tips for fellow travellers?
Also read: Dream trip to disaster: Caravan fire at tourist site leaves couple with nothing
Towing a caravan can be seen as an art, making sure that the van is loaded correctly and that you have all the weights balanced in the van and between the van and the rowing vehicle.
Also making sure that both are regularly maintained and are regularly serviced.
And, depending on the total size and weight of the combination of Towing Vehicle and Van, get it checked over a weigh bridge before you set off for your Holiday !!!