CARAVANING COURTESY

Just buy a bigger and more powerful towing rig, have the propper weight distribution and stabilizer bars, and tow at the normal driving speed. The only time I don't tow at normal acceleration and cornering speeds is when there is a horse in the trailer. Caravans are more prone to wind resistance than horse trailers because of their shape, and it amazes me that people tow them with lightweight cars.

Interesting question!

Yes, there is but I am not sure if it is a standard anywhere. There are some common standards in various overseas countries.

We spent 5 years on the road towing a 27 footer with a busted arse LC and speeds were slow at times, especially in hilly country.

On single lane roads I would speak with the truckie via Channel 40 ahead or behind me, and tell him/her what I am doing. 99% of the time I would give them clear passage to the lane.

On dual lane roads I would indicate two blinks of the right hand indicator when it is safe for someone to pass from behind OR two blinks with the left hand indicator if it is unsafe for a vehicle behind you to pass. But to be honest, the common demonator driver has no idea what this means.

If a vehicle does overtake you safely and says thanks for letting them pass, then the courtesy is for them to blink the right hand indicator twice.

Cheers

Hi Daza,

Although not an experienced caravanner, I have done a bit of towing....the quick flash of the indicator is usually the way, but I have seen an incident where the caravan actually wanted to turn right.....the truck peeled most of the cladding off the right hand side of the van, did a bit of damage down the side of the car...(not to mention the mess on the seat lol). Positive contact with a uhf is probably the best bet. There are a few truckies on the site from time to time, maybe they have the better opinion than the towers......

Cheers Andrew

Daza,
good to see someone who is concerned about other road users.

The safest method is to use a uhf radio on Ch40, just give the following truck a call by identifying yourself, the truck if possible ie north bound red Kenworth or pink Volvo ( sorry couldn't help it)behind the jayco van. They normally know the road far better than you and will tell you when they wish to pass, also vision in a truck is far better than sitting with your bum near the bitumin.

When he wants to round you up, keep over on the fog line and back of (you can even tell him that you are going to back off). The quicker he/she is around you the safer the pass will be, also with speed limiters and diff ratios he might not have much speed in reserve when passing. Also don't start slowing down till he is on the way.

This is the safest method I know off as everyone knows excatly what is going on. My belief is all tow vehicles should be fitted with UHFs.

Have a good one

Hi Daza and all,
There is NO recognised signal although many use the turn indicators to indicate that it is safe to pass BUT it may also indicate that they are turning right and you, as the overtaking vehicle, have to make that judgement .

IMHO it is better not to signal at all, but to allow the overtaking vehicle every opportunity to pass whenever possible.

It may be possible that you could be partly to blame if something untoward happens as a result of your signalling.

Having said all the above, the responsibil;ity for safe overtaking rests entirely with the overtaking driver. Your responsibility, as the overtaken driver, is to maintain your speed and direction to allow the overtaking move to be carried out in as safe a manner as possible. BUT it is not your call as to whether or not they overtake.

Just my opinion.

Disco.

Daza,

Every decent truck driver will tell you never ever to use your indicator as this only puts doubt in the mind of the truck driver. The simple fact is that in most cases he can see further down the road than you can and he knows when it is safe to pass. The most valuable thing, should be mandatory, you can have in your car is an UHF radio and use channel 40 to talk to the driver so that he knows you are aware of him. You will be surprised how many van towers have no idea of what traffic is behind them. Have your channel number on the back of your van so that he is aware that you have UHF and he can talk to you.

The rules to passing are simple.

1. If possible talk to the driver.
2. Always maintain your speed, never slow down. It takes a 40 ton truck far longer to get back to speed than it will take you.
3. Stay to the left of the road as far as possible but do not drop the van off the side of the road. This causes the van to move around and will put the right royal geebies up the truck driver.
4. Once the truck has started to pass, take your foot of the pedal just a little so that the passing time is reduced.
5. When the back of the truck is passed your rig, let the driver know via radio or with the left indicator.
6. If their is no clear area for the following traffic to pass and they have been their for a while or their is multiple cars backed up, pull of when it is safe to do so and let them all pass.

Hope this is of some help.

Hi Daza, best advice is to not give any signal to other drivers that might encourage them to undertake a manoeuvre based on your judgement. Best thing is to let all other drivers make such decisions. For example, you might think it is safe for someone to overtake, but you have no idea of the capability of their vehicle to do so. If you are unable to travel at the posted speed limit, you should try and discover why. Perhaps your tow vehicle is underpowered, perhaps you are grossly overloaded, perhaps your towing rig is not set-up correctly. As you have stated, sometimes it is difficult to pull over and let them pass. Your consideration for other road users is commendable. Pity a few others didn't share it.
A word of warning - a friend was travelling west of Broken Hill behind a B-double. Road was apparently straight ahead, truck driver flashed right hand indicators, friend thought it was an indication to him to overtake, in doing so at probably 110 ++++ the truck suddenly veered to the right, friend hit the brakes, truck then proceeded to turn right onto an angled road that he didn't really have to slow down to negotiate. Friend learned the lesson of his life. Has now slowed down and is very cautious when overtaking. Let's hope others can learn from it too.
Remember, ensure that you have your towing mirrors correctly installed and adjusted and capable of providing you with a clear view to the rear, keep a watchful eye on them and where possible drive with consideration and care at all times. Good luck with your travels.

It is dangerous to try and give an indication to the following driver.

I think that it is far safer for the following vehicle to carefully assess the available road and when safe give a quick flick on the headlights as well as using the indicators when a decision is made.

The towing vehicle , now alerted by the overtaking vehicle should just ease off on the accelerator a bit and all will be OK. This works well when a vehicle has been stuck there for a while.

Be careful out there!

Kingo

I found myself behind a 2 trailer road train heading south, just south of Katherine a few years ago. We (ie: the road train and us) came up behind a slow-moving wobbly box doing about 80k/h. We sat there for about 5klm, the road being a bit too windy and slightly hilly for the road train to try a passing move.

Eventually, we reached a section where I could see far enough ahead that I was confident I could overtake both the road train and the wobbly box. I spoke to the truckie on the UHF and asked whether he wanted to go first. He replied that it would take him too long to build-up the required speed to get around and invited me to go first.

I completed the manouvre and got a couple of klicks ahead, talking to the truckie a bit as I drove on ahead. Eventually, I crested a rise and could see for several klicks (like about 5). I told the bloke it was clear on this side of the hill if he wanted to round this old bloke up.

He was very grateful to me for "talking him" round. The bloke in the wobbly box probably thought the truckie was totally mad, because as far as he would have known, the truckie wouldn't have known what might have been about to come towards them over the hill.

The truckie and I continued to chew the fat for the next few hundred klicks, until we needed to pull into the Daly Waters pub for some lunch.

Of course the big thing to keep in mind here is "trust". Whether it's a case of you giving or receiving the "blink" to indicate it's safe to overtake, or using the UHF to do so, you are (and the other driver) are relying on the integrity of the other person to give you decent information. If I was a total @rsehole, I could've told that truckie it was clear to overtake when I knew full-well that there was a triple fuel tanker heading his way......just so I could see the fire-works. Don't laugh; there would be people in this country who would be sadistic enough to do just that. (nobody on this website of course).

Hi Daza
This, as you can see, created a lot of attention, as someone who pulls a 23ft van and whos husband has driven trucks for many years, my understanding is this----- DONT CONFUSE THE ISSUE------- A lot of people try to do what they see other people do and think they know a generic code of signals that everyone understands, the fact is there is none, dont put yourself in a position where you could be partialy responsible for an accident. Drive safely, be aware of your surroundings, and give others every opportunity to do the same.
DEBBIE

G'day Daza, I'm not all that experienced at towing a van & the necessary courtesy etc but did some training down at the local supermarket before hitting the road & it has realy paid dividends.

Go down to your local Coles or Woolies & watch the ladies with their trolleys do all sorts of amazing & unexpected things

They stop three abreast & browse for an eternity, meanwhile blocking of the whole lane. Its worse if they happen to know each other because then you have to listen for ages about the family woes & their local neighbourhood gossip. Then two of them for no apparent reason will reverse without warning, nearly knocking you over in the process. After they have nearly knocked you a*se over t*t, they will scowl at you as if you had no right to be in their domain. And if they've got their brats with em it's worse!! Little buggers ask you stupid questions like "haven't you got a mum to buy your food for you?"

I hate supermarkets but it is an excellent training ground for us caravaners. My best effort so far is having what I call a "tail" (some nasty people would call it a funeral procession) of 10 sedans, 8 four wheel drives, three semi trailers, two interstate coaches & four motor homes. Can't manage to hold up motor bikes, the smart aliks slip up on either side of you & pass you as if they own the road. Someone should teach them some manners.

It gives you a feeling of power when you create the above situation & believe it or not the drivers of the tail vehicles realy appreciate it as you probably saved them from being booked by a speed camera. It is not uncommon when on a verrrrry long stretch of straight road for them to show their appreciation by giving you a two fingered salute as they wiz by you.

Glad to hear, that like me, you wish to be courteous to other road users. LOL & safe & happy travelling

Daza

This bloke is a truckie who puts a lot of his own time into improving communications and relations with caravanners.

You might get a lot of help from his site.

Rod Hannifey's Truckie Site

Max

Actually, it is against the lay to use your flashers to signal following drivers to overtake. You do not find this directly in the acts or regulations, it is case law. As mentioned above several times, if you wish to assist then talk to them on UHF CB. I advise the truckies that I will slow when I see both of their headlights and to let me know when they would like to overtake.

PeterD

Daza
Though it was / is common for Truckies to use the indicator it is illegal to do so , It's the saying I believe in is that Trucks can work with Trucks but cars can't work with trucks.

Hay DAZZA.

Courtesy breeds Courtesy, If you are doing the speed limit or less and driving within the capability of your car or your driving ability, In my opinion you are doing the right thing.

I have ridden a push bike , motor bike , driven a car , a car with a trailer a 4wd a 4wd with a trailer a bus a bus with a trailer a coach a heavy ridged a articulated truck a B double and a road train, and in all my professional time as a driver I have the same rule.

If you are take your time you get around me easy, if your Don't you take your chances.

The closer you get the slower I go, The more courtesy you show the easier it is to get around me simple really.

Cheers Steve.