CHEAP CARAVAN

Chris,

That's real bad news for a lot of people. I wonder what could be done to reduce the problem?

Do you have any info you can share about the size of car/van combo's that suffer this fate regularly? Is this a problem with sedans only or have you seen it happen to all sizes. Do you think it's related to speed, windage of van or weather conditions - or other...

Thanks,

G'day Diesel Do,
I'll "chime in" here, if I may...
Without commenting on the particular incident mentioned in the opening post, as I don't know the details, the problem, as noted by Chris, is not a new one & it's been happening for years....
I believe that most cases involve a car/van being overtaken by the larger vehicle...
It is very much related to windage of van, particularly in relation to its weight (and that of the towing vehicle)... Light van/large windage= bad news!
Anyone who has stood by the side of the h'way when a high-sided semi (or B-double) has gone past will know that these things drag along with them their very own mini-gale.. literally a 100km/h wind gust...

What usually happens is that the driver of the vehicle towing the 'van will be driving sedately along at about 80-85 km/h, completely oblivious to anything approaching from behind, when suddenly (to him) this dirty great behemoth appears alongside the drivers' window...
Instinctive reaction is to lift the foot off the gas (& brake!)... WRONG MOVE!!!!
That's when it all goes pear-shaped, because just as the they've upset the balance of the whole shebang, it's hit with the aforementioned 100km/h wind gust.. Goodbye caravan! (and car too, mostly)...

Correct procedure, assuming the 'van-towing driver has been watching his r/v mirrors & becomes aware that the semi is about to overtake, is to ease off the power just enough to allow the truck to begin its overtaking manoeuvre, then just as the truck begins to draw alongside, apply the power again.. enough to maintain present speed, & just a leetle bit extra, but he needs to be applying the power! .. If he has the presence of mind to GENTLY apply the 'van brakes independantly (if elect. brakes are fitted) while this is going on, so much the better...
This means that even though the 'van will be buffeted by the wind, it is still being PULLED by the car & the likelihood of "losing it" is greatly reduced... It goes without saying that the larger the towing vehicle, the better...

What can be done to reduce the problem?? (you ask)...
Well, IMO, awareness would go a long way, but that leads to a whole 'nother debate re peoples' ability to drive, etc. etc., & I'm not going there...

Regards, Ed. C.

Thanks for that Ed. Wondered what circumstances might cause it. Figure that I've never had any probs because I've never been overtaken by a Bdouble or road train.

Interested to see that the solution is to "slow down a bit and then accelerate when the trucks going past". Must be every driver in SA follows that advice - especially in overtaking lanes. Amazing how many times I've gone to overtake someone after being stuck behind them for ages, only to find myself involved in some kind of drag race in the overtaking lane!

Thanks again for the advice..

Yeah, I know what ya mean about the "overtaking-lane-derby"...
I certainly wasn't suggesting that one should be trying to out-accelerate the overtaking vehicle, rather a steady, consistent "power-on" approach, but you do need to be PULLING the 'van when that wind gust hits it up the backside...
"W" makes a valid point (below), I believe, re the Friction Sway Control...
No doubt that this would make a significant difference, but I still believe it's driver skill & awareness (or lack thereof) that is a major contributing factor in these type of incidents...
Regards, Ed. C.

To Truckster,
Remember you are answering to the " computer dumb computer illiterate old brigade car salesman here once it gets past talking & driving you have lost me DO I need your email address to do it or WHAT, they are only out of paper but should come up OK on scanner ?????????????????????

yea scan them in, see how they turn out. If they look ok, mail em thru.
fu_kew at hotmail dot com is email addy.

and some clag to paste it into the screen. Truckster will be able to get it from there.

I emailed them to you Friday night weren,t they good enough, we seem to have lost Truckster since

Trucksters prolly away for the weekend, I dont think he's lost. and yes i saw them, I was making a tongue in cheek comment regarding your scissors statement.

All in life is not what it seems hahahahaah or is it all serious