On my Medium Rigid License, I got a few things drilled into me that make good sense on towing caravans. There is talk about making a special requirement for Caravan Owners towing… Mind you I doubt it will happen, too big of a voting block, but I am here to tell you that it would indeed save some lives…!!! The weight and speed and stopping distance with a van on the back is much the same with a heavy truck, in fact I think maybe it is not such a bad idea to increase the License requirement for towing, just for general safety. You just cannot get away with things in a truck like you might attempt with a van on the back. But when things get out of hand, is when serious problems occur.
Like your mirrors. You really should be watching your traffic behind you more than normal, like about twice as much… Many accidents are simply the impatience of someone behind you getting fed up, and passing you when they really should not have. And, that is one of the main gripes with Truckies and such, is against Caravaners for hogging the road slowing down traffic… You also won’t find yourself in a panic as two Road Trains Pass you… (Has happened)..
And down hills are another one… The real slow down should be before you get to the hill, not in a panic after you realize you are out of control and going too fast in the middle of the downhill run. You need to act more like a truck, and slow down before, and coast down on the engine, keeping the revs down in the safe range so you do not have to overheat your brakes… Many forget the van is on the back and start driving like they were in a passenger car…. They are already going to fast before they realize it is a long hill, and sometimes get into trouble… (Has happened)…
Passing distance is another issue, just like a truck, it takes a lot longer than you think… Until you are used to it, you have to remind yourself of just how much open road you need… (This is a real problem, and once you are in trouble it is often too late to get back out of the way)…
Pinching corners is something else you have to learn to handle… You have to swing wide on a turn just like a truck, as you will cut the corners as you turn and can hit something the tow vehicle cleared with ease… (Happens, even to me, and I tow more than most…)
And stopping distance, a big one… You need more room, and yes some idiot will pull in front of you and force you to create room again…. Relax, do it.. And yelling at him or muttering bad words will only hurt you with the release of unhealthy affects on your own metabolism…(speaking from experience) Learn to take it easy, and not get riled up… Yes the road is full of idiots… But there is nothing you can do about it.. So learn to live with it.. Air Horns? All I get with my Mack horns vent of my frustration, is the middle finger from those whom are too stupid to even know what they are doing wrong…
And Backing Up? You need help, or get out and look, to watch your Blind Side…. I installed back up cameras, but they often won’t help you on the blind side…
This is just a little reminder… Have a look at Tip # 21 on Towing Tips for Safety on the Highway… And also Tip # 54 “Towing Tips Off-road”. And be careful out there! It is the Highway that is dangerous, not the Bush!!
Just a Reminder from the Ranger… Be careful out there....!
