DVSA roadside caravan safety checks this weekend
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No you didn't hint but like I said, only a gu&$$
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you know me and actual mechanics, I could calculate the forces but that's about it!.
So (serious question) is the handbrake not really a handbrake. I sort of understand that the handbrake on a car isn't the same as the brakes at the wheels? What you're saying is that the caravan handbrake puts the 'normal' breaks on?
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I totally agree David. If you have a nut to crack don't make a mess by using a sledgehammer. Firstly look at the reason for any accidents. Most I would expect to be drive error, overconfidence, speed, and basically poor decisions. It would make more sense to spend some money on driver education.
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The checks being done are for the general conditions of vehicles involved in towing, whether they are road legal, overloaded, vehicle insurance, MOTs etc. Much the same as lorry checks.
As David K said earlier this is not about the issues raised by another poster, that matter has been settled. Hope everyone has a safe journey this weekend and no delays due to overturned caravans etc.
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Yes. The hand brake on your caravan applies the same brakes to the wheels that the normal/over run brakes apply.
On your car the handbrake might well apply the same brake pads/shoes as the foot brake. Some cars have separate braking systems but more & more with the advent of the silly electric parking brake, the hand/parking/emergency brake acts on the disc using the same pads as the foot brake.
Just don't ask how your caravan can reverse against the brakes that are applied when the hitch compresses.
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.....and then slow down 🙄
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The action of reversing causes the brake shoes to turn backwards and 'collapse' so they no longer have proper contact with the inside of the drum which is why a caravan's handbrake will often not hold properly after being reversed. (I'm better with spanners than I am with a pen/chalk
)The very first caravan we had (10'6" Robin something) had an aftermarket gizmo fitted in line in the linkage that allowed the hitch to compress without pulling the brakes on. It originally had its electrical connection cut but seemed to work OK when re-made.
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Blimey I was lucky - got the van out of storage today, absolutely filthy, broken top light near rear roof, gunge all over it,
Inside however was clean as a whistle and that was after 18months plus! Brakes not seized on and tyres still up to near normal pressures.
Fortunately did not meet a roadside check by the police.
Had a bit of fun negotiating a double right angled bend, first left and then right. Met a 40 tonner as I was about to exit it, the resultant queues behind the foreign lorry were enormous. Some idiots leaning on their horn as if that would help! Then some unhelpful travellers not realising that by moving up tight to the blockage they were 'corks in the bottle'.
Oh well, kept calm and got through in the end without losing my rag.
Now a lot of work to get ship shape and legal again.
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Our local TV news tonight featured an item on checks being made at Exeter. The emphasis seemed to be very much on advice and education. The vanners interviewed were happy with this as they appreciated safety is paramount and that newcomers to the hobby might not be aware of the issues and the law.
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They were escorting tow-ers into the services at the Boreham interchange on the A12 on Thursday. Including a white transit van with a caravan attached. Not heard anything about it locally.
Glad you got yours home ok redface, hope getting it back to spotless etc doesnt take too long. Good to know it was dry and clean inside and brakes and tyres as they should be.
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I’m sure like me you appreciate that until pulled over the authorities don’t know that the driver is a responsible individual and is maintaining their unit correctly. The more that are checked the better, the greater the chance of identifying the foolish. I tow so I have no objection of them pulling me over,they don’t know until the check!. It called being mature and responsible, some aren’t.
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A work mate was pulled over the other year. His out fit is more than 3500kg, he passed his test 40 yrs ago but his actual photo licence had only recently been issued. The testers though looked at the date of issue & were adamant that he didn't have the entitlement to tow his outfit. Something & elbow springs to mind.
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"These people" David are Traffic Police, they deal with dreadful accidents. There was a bad accident on the M5 south this week involving a caravan and car containing seven people and two dogs, a miracle they were all ok.
If there is a question about overloading you might be asked to go to the nearest weighbridge or if your outfit is in a dangerous condition you won't be allowed to continue your journey. The people doing the checking are very polite but know what they are looking for. The traffic police escort you off the motorway in the first instance, we saw the "follow me" sign flashing in the rear of the vehicle when we witnessed the event.
If you want to argue the odds good luck to you!!
Hope everyone has safe journeys this weekend. The traffic is horrendous.
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Good for them if they're checking mirrors. I've lost count of the number of times we see vans being towed up and down that M5/A30 route without mirrors.
On one occasion last year we had to take swift evasive action when an idiot towing without mirrors decided to pull out in front of us near Taunton. Heaven only knows what might have happened if we'd been towing too.
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Well said brue. They witness, and live with, the most appalling sights - some of which NEVER leave them 😢. Then there's the insurers and prosecutors, not to mention juries who get to see gruesome photos.
I think we should be glad that those who won't/don't follow good practice and the law are pulled over and dealt with, hopefully before someones loved one is maimed or worse.
If you having nothing to fear it's a minor inconvenience being patient and polite costs nothing. By all means ensure they are carrying out checks correctly, but don't take them on head on, it just makes them really look for infringements. They are only doing their job. Generally those who are most defensive have something to defend 🤐
Emily's Dad, classes you are qualified to drive are on the licence. Always its as well to take a copy of the paper one, if you still have one, or the one being renewed/amended to check with the replacements correct. DVLA arent always accurate........
Lots of places destroy the original paper records - think land registry and deeds...
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Not that it is likely to affect me living some 300 plus miles north but If I want advice about meat I will talk to a butcher. If I want medical advice I will talk to a medical professional. If I was given advice about towing a caravan or driving a motorhome by a police officer I would question his bona fides.
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