The news video (below) from Australia discusses the increase in crashes of travel trailers (caravans, as they are called there) with dash camera footage showing horrific crash scenes. Like in the U.S., the popularity of caravanning has boomed Down Under as foreign travel has declined because of COVID.
The video opens with footage of a car towing a trailer as it goes out of control. The conversation in the car of the driver and his passenger is recorded, including after the dust settles. The men had taken driving courses that should have helped them when they began to lose control, but as the passenger said, “The problem is that your brain doesn’t think that way in an emergency.”
Another crash video shows the rescue of an older couple who were trapped in their car, then moments after they were pulled out, the car exploded.
Several experts on caravan crashes explain that the main reason for the accidents is uneven weight distribution in the RV and inexperienced drivers.
Anyone who tows a trailer, or plans to, should watch this video and then make the effort to either take a driving class or research how to prevent trailer crashes like these, which, as you will see, can be devastating.
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I pull a small travel trailer with only 1 axle. I drive no more than 60mph that is the recommended RV speed. Wish there was another way to ovoid I10. Not sure what I will do.
Most trailers have electric brakes, and I was taught to apply the trailer brakes if it started to sway. This will stop the swaying and you still retain control. Also, a sign things are not properly loaded.
And, as counter-intuitive as it is, do NOT let off the throttle. You need to slow the trailer to get it under control, not the whole rig.
Undersized tow vehicles, inadequate sway control, and inexperience.
Many crashes and road rage incidents in my opinion are caused by ‘pluggers’ and drivers that are inconsistent with their speed. Sure, some highways have a minimum speed (say 45 mph) but that doesn’t mean people can drive that speed without expecting issues to arise. Others that drive 60 mph for a few miles and then drop to 50 mph are irritating as well. These drivers are begging to be passed by others who are more consistent with their driving. And, for the few minutes an aggressive pass may require to complete can be very dangerous. These ‘inconsistent’ (or nervous, insecure, etc.) drivers never see themselves as the problem. They have a ‘right’ to drive the way they do, no matter how problematic it could be. I’m all for getting the dangerous, aggressive and speeding drivers off the road, but I am also all for getting the timid, fearful, daydreaming and inconsistent drivers off the road to – they can be just as dangerous!
Good film. I’ve seen dozens of these wrecks on video. I wonder if there are any videos from behind the zigzaging trailer showing a driver accelerating and regaining control? Such a video would help engrain in the observer that the anti-intuitive concept actually works. Such a video should be played after every fish-tail wreck video we see. And we see a lot of them.
Yet another reason to QUIT RVing. Save your money and go to a nice all-inclusive resort.
(and I know- have been RVing for 10 years, 39 trips all over the USA)
Over the years, I have been passed multiple times by someone pulling a travel trailer going over 60 mph and oftentimes 70 mph or more which is extremely foolish. Top speed for towing a trailer safely is 55 mph period! In most instances, the OEM tires on travel trailers and even 5th wheels, are only speed rated for 65 mph at maximum air pressure. Most all states require anyone wanting a motorcycle license to take a safety course prior to getting the license. Why not ALL RV, boat, trailer towing operators as well.
Remember when they talk about going 90 in Australia that’s 55 in the US because they use the metric system in Australia
They use metric in the rest of the world!