Rutting

mdp0309
mdp0309 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited September 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

We have been caravaning for over 25 years and have always had a stable, safe, outfit towing with a Discovery at around 70% of kerb weight.

Recently we nearly lost our caravan when it developed a huge snake.  There was no wind, no traffic, on a dual carridgeway, at about 55mph. Only my wifes' skill and experience saved the day.  After checking the outfit, including tyre pressures, loading and
noseweight we continued our journey only to have the same happen within a mile, and several minor wobbles over the next 20 miles.  

On our return journey, restricted to 50mph we experiences similar on several stretches of road and identified that they always occured when in the nearside lane and that there was severe rutting of the road.  We have done several long runs now and, yes,
have the occasional wobble, again on rutted roads.

With the councils cutting back on road maintainance this could get worse and, no fingers pointed, our worst experiences have been in Norfolk.

Has anybody else found the same and I wonder how many "unexplained" caravan overturns are as a result of ruts?

Comments

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    What I can say that this rutting (caused by HGV's making the road settle in a linear maner) is even worse on a motorcycle.

    Many have been on their rear end because of this rutting.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #3

    I had an image of two huge stags antler to antler Cool ........... 

  • H B Watson
    H B Watson Forum Participant Posts: 183
    edited September 2016 #4

    What I can say that this rutting (caused by HGV's making the road settle in a linear maner) is even worse on a motorcycle.

    Many have been on their rear end because of this rutting.

    I was going to say the same, bloody frightning on a motorbike. I think it's due to cheap construction or the roads.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #5

    Fellow member of the "I've been on my a--- thank's to a rut induced tank slapper club" perhaps HB?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #6

    Any roads in particular, not many dual carriageways in Norfolk. Have towed on A11 and A47 recently and not noticed any problem with the van snaking etc..

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #7

    I have noticed this phenomenon driving solo in a Mk 1 Capri up the M6 many years ago. The car would swing from side to side up and down the grooves. At first I thought I had a steering problem until I realised what was causing it.

  • gygafo
    gygafo Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited September 2016 #8

    Keep left and into the groove! The M62 has some serious tram lines in places but put your nearside in the line on the left and no porblem.

  • peegeenine
    peegeenine Forum Participant Posts: 548
    edited September 2016 #9

    Can't do that in a Motorhome where the rear wheel track is wider than the front. Just have to pick a rut and straddle it. Then there are the pot holes to avoid too.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #10

    Can't do that in a Motorhome where the rear wheel track is wider than the front. Just have to pick a rut and straddle it. Then there are the pot holes to avoid too.

    My caravan has a wider track than my car too Cool

  • peegeenine
    peegeenine Forum Participant Posts: 548
    edited September 2016 #11

    Yes, of course. So which n/s wheel goes in the rut, car or van. When towing my car, which is very much narrower than the MH, It makes it makes it difficult to decide. Pot holes, do I hit them with the MH or the car?

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #12

    Our road system is taking on the properties of a track across the Serengeti.

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited September 2016 #13

    As an ex-highways engineer I can only say that to the Ministry so long as its 'flat and black' its OK. The recent ho-ha about potholes is not down to the weather its down to a gross lack of good routine maintenance. Budgets for things like this only get
    headlines when someone gets killed.  

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