Caravan lost Wheel yesterday am along the Stuart Highway
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 12:33
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vicmark
My parents were towing their twin axle Caravan along the Stuart Highway yesterday morning towards
Mataranka, when there was a loud explosion & one of the wheels flew off the van. Fortunately they were able to control the caravan & stop (though thought it was going to jack knife). Dad is a very experienced retired engineer (& camper) who is meticulous with his set up & routinely checks the wheel studs are not loose. 3 of the wheels were all tight, yet something wasn't right with this 4th wheel.
With so many travellers on the road, perhaps this is a timely reminder to keep an eye on your equipment.
Happy & safe travelling to you all.
Reply By: Member - Bucky - Sunday, Jul 10, 2011 at 06:44
Sunday, Jul 10, 2011 at 06:44
vicmark
Any vehicle is capable of winding off a tyre, especially a LHS one, as the thread pattern wants to naturally unwind, that is if it were on the LHS. This could be the case, if not checked regularly. They stopped making opposite threaded wheel studs, years back, but the issue is still there..
If not then I would expect that some light fingered person wanted a wheel more than your Dad did, (and almost got it) , and unawares, your Pa headed off.
I regularly
check my wheel studs, for tightness, at least twice a day, and as we
bush camp a lot, look for unusual or unfamiliar footprint around
camp.. One never knows.
CHeers
Bucky
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