A 4WD towing a caravan rolled on the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, just north of Devils Marbles.
The NT News reports that the vehicle, which had South Australian number plates, crashed 47 kilometres south of Tennant Creek late on Sunday afternoon.
An NT Police spokesman said two of the vehicle’s passengers were taken to Tennant Creek Hospital for treatment.
The NT News reports that the section of road is flat and straight with no apparent hazards. The wreckage of the caravan was left on the side of the highway.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Hope all are OK. Stevo
They’RE towing 3.5 to 4 tonne of caravan with a light vehicle and no driving experience. I see them in van parks trying to park it and are hopeless at it. A licence for towing a big van should be mandatory. Also a few of them have little idea of their surroundings and other road users, trucks on the highways because they are too busy to keep the rig between the lines.
How do you know what their vans weight is and what the cause of this accident is?
There are infinite reasons that could be the cause.
I would like to point out that there are far more accidents in the country by cars on their own than caravans.
I think he was speaking generally. So many people out there towing big caravans with no experience.
And so many generalising with no knowledge of tge event.
So true greg.i have said that all the time..1 time wonders on the road n off they go..have nearly been Collected myself a few times. There should b a special lic issued for caravans..it is an articulated vehicle n i had to get a truck lic to drive an articulated vehicle so wats the difference n the same should go for the winebagoes…
Absolutely agree
You may well be right – I think also a lot of people tow too fast – I have always found the difference in stability from 90 to 100 is quite significant – but I have no idea whether this was a cause in this accident. I feel for the couple.
Rubbish could of been anything a blow out sudden apppearance of an animal causes sudden braking any thing
Agree it should mandatory that caravans drivers under take a caravan driving course and endorsed so on a licence if they do the gov should give a discount on rego
A license endorsement should be compulsory for all towed vehicles larger than the old 6×4. No exceptions.
hi being avid travellers u couldnt pay me enough to tow a dangerous unpredictable caravan again.we have done several trips around aussie and have a truck licence we travel in a mobile home 36ft safer,easier to keep on the road.i truly believe there should be a mandatory license to tow anything over 20 ft we also have had some very close calls with caravans
Thank you for your thoughts
We are thankful for property rather than major person damage
DITTO TO THE ABOVE. But here we go again…With more vans on the road when are the Authorities going to regulate towing a caravan???
Any prospective caravan owner would (for their own safety at least) go through a training process to achieve a higher level of driving skill.
Truckies have to be licensed to drive their rigs on our road, so I do not see why the same doesn’t apply today to those driving caravan rigs.
I agree. Both my husband and self recently did a towing course even though we had been caravanning for years. Weight and weight distribution are very important plus instruction on what to do and what not to do in a sway or when caravan wheels go off bitumen.
Good on you. More people should do this.
So did your course involve driving the car and van at 90 klm h and then dropping a wheel off the edge off-the-wall road and then recovery I think not telling you how isn’t the same as doing it like you do in an advance driving course that u can do no one will ever set up a course to do that with a van
Ray
Lexie Goryl….Would love to do a towing course…even though my little AVan is only 14ft and very light to tow with my 4WD. Especially situations such as you mentioned like a tyre off the bitumen road etc etc…
Am going to look into this.
Are you implying that truckies don’t crash?
Are you implying these people didn’t do a course
I can assure you they are very experienced drivers
Experienced drivers? The point being made is that persons wishing to tow a van should be compelled to undergo a training course.A person holding a drivers licence fo a number of years might be considered an ‘ experienced driver’. Driving experience has little or no reverence to ‘towing experience’ which is a very different skill. Too many people but a van in later life and don’t take the courses available to them, so that they up skill their driving with a van on the back. Driving long distances towing a van from South Australia to DARWIN once a year, does not make one an experienced driver in control of a vehicle with a caravan on the back. Up skilling courses should be mandatory for those wishing to tow a caravan.
Really? Training and being licenced to tow heavy loads improves safety for all on the roads
Why are there people like you who want to make life harder for other people. This may have nothing to do with driver training accidents do happen through no fault of the driver.
Great comment, does that mean trucks dont crash.
Give me strength. While i have no objection to training & licencing, what makes you think people that have accidents with caravans have no training. Does my car license keep me immune from accidents.
Wake up,more cars and trucks crash every day on our roads so what’s yr answer there ….
I’m ex-military, a country boy, transport industry. Tow trucks ( RACQ 3500 + roadside car assistants) and many more km’s in various modes. Currently 52 years of age and thankfully 5 fingers and 5 toes. Travelled Australia 8 times and visited many places in between. The point is! I am personally , assessed on every turn to keep up my skills and credentials. From 1st aid with CPR to heavy vehicle operations with load restraints and fatigue management. (Don’t mention constant, most times daily, drug and alcohol tests!) We’re human, and yes we make the odd error through tiredness or negligence. At 20km an hour, people get hurt. Usually not fatal. BUT at 50 -120km per hour, a whole different scenario occurs… not only in end results, but at the beginning!!! In prior management and trained in instant reactions to Advance levels will reduce possible losses. If you don’t injure or lose your own life through lack of self discipline, imagine your daily conscience if you took someone elses soul……
Anyway, be safe, and patient. If your cruising with no time restraint. Pull over and let the convoy pass by with a wave, and continue your adventure. Highest regards to all, be safe. Glynn
Don’t you mean 10 fingers and 10 toes??
Otherwise I take my hat off for you – driving with only one hand and one foot must be hard
What happened to the other fingers and toes?
Look friends you dont know what happened it could have been a tyre blow or mechanical problem thank good no one died
Well i do agree to most of you i am a youngish caravaner and starting out i found to get the right set up took me a year ,i had to be sure my family was safe and right caravan needed right towing car for the weight. I got headaches for the first 7 months because my family was in my hands so everything had to be right . There definitely should be mandatory steps to towing a big rig as in courses by law . And in my travels so far have seen so many caravaners shoot past me almost blowing me of the road and so many vehicles that definitely should not be towing the van size but they are its not right its illegal and dont now how they get away with it. I made sure i did 2 intensive courses for towing a big caravan, because there is so much to learn to make it safe. So many people are putting them selves and innocent people in danger because there to arrogant to do the right thing. Towing a big caravan is so much different to operating a big truck.
If you’ve got the money to by a 5th wheeler and a F250 or a Dodge Ram, all you need is an “A” class license…how can that be right??. Also if you speak to any trickie, he’ll tell you how important weight distribution is. But none of this is mentioned when you by a caravan. The whole industry needs a kick in the arse. The things they don’t tell you when you buy caravan are the most important.
Hope the people will be ok. That is a terrible shock .
Was there some wind ( Willi Willi ) on this highway ?
Thankfully they are better than what you would suspect
Angels on their shoulders
There was wind on Sunday. We travelled from Alice Springs to Devils Marbles arriving about 1.30pm. We took it quiet and steady for that reason, but in saying that so did most caravan driver’s we saw. We passed the wreck early Monday morning and both the car and caravan were a mess. We have wondered how those poor buggers are ever since
As the above I hope all are well and it is only for observation they needed to be hospitalised. Let’s not overreact to having to hold different licences for towing caravans, otherwise where does it end, do we need a special licence to tow a 6×4 trailer, or is it a box trailer, what about tradesman trailers. Then before you know it we need a special licence to drive 4×4 motor vehicles. Let’s have all the facts first before this overreaction reaches fever pitch.
There is a bit of a difference between a 6×4 trailer and an 8m van or 5th wheeler with an all up length at 13-14m. I’m in my vehicle with van waiting to board the Spirit to the mainland and I can say some of my fellow travellers in RV’s scare me.
I agree with all the comments about safety training for people towing trailers that are certain length and Waite
100 % you need a pwc for jet ski . boat licence Toured oz in a 22 ft van no problems had some near misses with wild pigs ,horses , roo’s etc
How many know there ball weight , actual weight of the van loaded ? Most I spoke to just guessed thats scarey .
Remember your on hols truckies are working make it easier for them .
Requires a different license for different size trucks…
Quite right. No place for knee-jerk reactions. Has driving whilst tired been ruled out, strong cross-wind etc. The list can go on. I’m just pleased that the people are not seriously hurt. Hope the rig was insured!
Well said Shane !!!!. Where do we draw the line ?.
Much discussion is required before any more laws are put into place.
Finally,sense in the masses. We are over governed, over bylawed, locked out of the correct loops. Do not make it harder than it is. It used to be another truck accident, then another 4×4 accident, now it’s another caravan accident. Teach your children well and there will be less accidents.
Accidents unfortunately happen as they are unforeseen. A wind gust, kangaroo or eagle on the road , tyre blowout ….I’ve been towing caravans for forty years and you still have to be wary. Different licences are garbage! I agree with Shane Clarke – if we were to have special skilll sessions and licences then this should happen with ALL drivers because the biggest hazard to caravan towers are the intolerant and lacking common sense drivers who pull in front of or get up the rear of a caravan dangerously. All drivers should have to tow a vehicle for licences so then they might appreciate the operation of such. Anyone new to towing should be encouraged to do a skills test as there is nothing like experience to help you and ‘newbies’ obviously don’t have this. In terms of regulations with caravan and camper trailers (ALL trailers including tradies ) , there are two areas that must be better regulated – age of tyres on tow vehicles and ball weight ( loading) and tow vehicle rating . I could share here a multitude of stories about vans and their gear that shocked me .
Couldn’t agree more. I think added to the equation is these young people who have a computer generated hazard test. You have to be kidding me……these clowns have NO IDEA!!! It scares me. I have an eyre hwy tale to tell that……quite frankly I do not know how I got out of……god loves me I’d say…
I hope the poor devils will be OK.
You are right short, some scare me as well
Hello. I m sorry but I agree some caravan towingv people are a total pest.I have a 5th wheeler 30ft plus f250..and I have a truck license. .so if you want to tow a van..you should be forced to take a course..of catch the train.
Hi I have owned and driven trucks all my Life, I am now retired and been caravaning for years. A big caravan is not a box trailer, and with all my experience travelling all over this country I can tell anyone that has only ever driven a car and are thinking of buying a caravan when they retire to go and take a caurse to learn how to handle and learn of the problems that could front them.
But all you did was drive the truck and trailer around the streets for a few hours and show that you can reverse it and know the weight limit it didn’t teach you how to control the rig in an emergency situations because it would cost too much and the risk would be too high
All people towing large trailers eg car trailers caravans etc should go through a towing licence. Any truck towing a trailer has to do a combination licence so should these people.
This happened many years, ago with my mum.. It was due to the caravan being packed incorrectly and it started swaying.. And then just rolled.. The roadcwas straight etc..
It is ridiculous that a person can drive a Corolla around the city their entire life; then upon retirement purchase a 4×4 and 3 tonne van, and launch themselves upon the unsuspecting county roads, without any training. All of the professional drivers have to meet strict guidelines, yet the recreational driver in control of over 4 tonne of articulated danger, has no restrictions. I have diven hundreds of thousands of kms throughout my career in Australia, and experienced the poor skills of the recreational driver first hand. Their arrogance and sense of entitlement is palpable.
That’s why we upgraded our 4WD to a 10tonne truck, so many travellers over weight.
People need to learn what the GVM of their vehicle is and what it means.
Nothing says the people involved in the accident were over weight. I hope all involved are okay.
We have been traveling permanently now and working for 12 year all over Australia and all I have to say is I don’t know how some still have their license after seeing their ignorance on the roads and having no idea in backing the van in a he park and also leaving without wiping a tree out
A special licence isn’t going to stop Caravan accidents. Trucks still have accidents and many are single truck ones. Two very bad truck accidents recently come to mind where a truck ran into the back of other trucks stopped at road works, they had a special licence! Don’t leave buses out as they have a special lincence as well.
The one’s how have no respect and don’t care are mostly drivers with a 4×4 plus camper trailer. They do not respect any road rules and just crush eveything on their way in and out.
Have to agree about scary tower’s but lots of car drivers scare me and having a license to drive has not solved that problem.
Here we go again nobody knows the cause but it must be a driver or license issue. It could have anything . Ask the couple instead of making assumptions. I hope they are ok.
And do all the towing experts here straight away assume the accident was caused by incompetent drivers. Maybe a medical issue or some other cause was the reason.
Some times your first mistake can be your last.!
Surely a towing course and licence would at least reduce the chance of coming of second best.
We all did a practical and theory test for our license and look at the incompetence on the roads. Attitude and training to handle difficult situstions are much more important. I am a caravaner and i see too many caravaners with no idea about towing, loading etc. Too many huge rigs often illegal and travelling at ridiculous speeds are a problem. There is no simple solution
I have a HR licence & can drive any vehicle except articulated including 40ft passenger buses but I would never try to drive a big 4WD towing a big caravan without training.
We have been driving along this stretch of road for the past two days and have been having to drive at 80km per hour due to the extremely windy conditions. I bet the cause of this accident was travelling too fast in very gusty winds. You can not travel at high speeds with a caravan in these conditions. Common sense prevails.
Simple . 80 k national limit for anyone towing . Ive never understood our blind acceptance of speed ? We just seem to turn a blind eyed to it and look for other answers . WHY ?
I do hope the occupants of the caravan are ok. I think if the speed is curbed to 80klm we then occur the wrath of 90% of drivers on the road and impatience causes accidents. Drive to the conditions of the road and show respect to other road users. Don’t overload the car and caravan. Take breaks and aim to stop for the day around 2pm. Don’t drive at night.
There are so many reasons causing an accident inattention, animals, tires, sway, fatigue, overloading and of course other vehicles impatience to wobbleboxes. Travel safe fellow travellers
Absolutely!!!
I disagree entirely. There is already a National limit of 100kph and with the right rigm road and conditions you ca safely tow at that speed.
However, conditions vary, and you need to be aware enough to reduce speed to whatever the conditions demand.
I have travelled zt the 100kph limit on areas such as the Nullabor but been down to 25kph in places that the conditions demand.
As per the previous comments, that day was particularly windy. The smart driverx had dropped their speed considerably to cope with the conditions on the day.
We have been on the road also for 5 years now traveling & working around Australia. We never drive at night or have a time restriction . We were once stuck in Ceduna for an extra 3 days due to weather conditions, strong winds . I think common sense and courtesy prevails. I also believe that it should be a legal requirement to have a CB radio in the car . I found communication between us & the Teutruck drivers has been the key factor & find them to be very respectful in return they are the least problem its the impatient car drivers that dangerously over take . Everyone travel safely.
The speed limit for caravans of 90 might be a good idea.
Include trucks under that limit too, just as they do on the autobans of Europe.
Lots of ex truckies out there towing caravans
At the end of the day I’m sure the police will get to the bottom of this we can play the blame game all we want thankfully there were not fatalities
Dead right Tracy. The two C’s apply. Communication and Common Sense. Unfortunately not a huge amount of either out there and not just with towing.
Lots of ex truckies towing caravans out there
Too many caravans lately having accidents,is it the van or the driver,Mandatory if people tow caravansthe right car should be equipped for the size of the van.As well as a driving course to be set up for all people eh who want to tow as well as the proper equipment such as sway bars to ve used on all caravans. A PERSONS DRIVING ABILITY SHOULD BE CHECKED EVERY TWO YEARS.medical reasons people do deteriate,
I had NO towing experience at all yet can back our van perfectly, even I’m surprised at the spots I can reverse in to. We have since done a towing course. I drive a speed I’m comfortable with, i pull over if I have to many cars behind me to let them past.
Use your commonsense.
To everyone suggesting giving our government more power to hand out tickets, are you nuts?
Sure everyone should be trained or at least experienced, involving the government will end badly.
Thank god they can both look back on what has happened it could ok been a tyre that blew or what the conditions of the road was or the weather
The victims of this crash are probably the only people who can give a real insite to this accident. What is the speed limit in the N. T. I recall 130 kph being mentioned some time back.
As far as animals go I will never swerve to miss an animal. The bull bar can take to force of the contact. Hopefully it will save an accident.
Hope the couple have a fast recovery.
Feel sorry for them and others who have van accidents.
John
If you’re towing at 130klm an hour because the road says you can…then you’re a bloody idiot. For interest sake…..it’s not 130 now….and I’m pretty sure most states have a 100 towing law. For gods sake….why would anyone tow at this speed? These are the sort of people I fear!!
It’s a limit not a target!!!!
OK how many of truck drivers have done an advance driving course that put you in the situation where you pit the truck and loaded trailer in a hiway speed and have to emergency brake and jackknife and then have a trainer show you how to correct it I would say none because no company is never going to risk the cost to do it
In regards to special licences for towing caravans what about camper trailers horse floats car trailers large boats or even large box trailers? Including these as well? All articulated according to some of you.Get real.