Are caravan convoys a danger to other road users?
There has been a spate of terrible caravan accidents recently, and grey nomad Wally S nearly saw another one. And he knows exactly who would have been to blame.
“Earlier this month, my wife and I left Mackay on our way to Bowen and found ourselves behind two caravans. From Mackay to just past Proserpine, these vans travelled too close together and I was unable to pass them.
“They never reached the speed limit unless they came to an overtaking lane… then they sped up!
“We were followed by a semi-trailer for about 20 kilometres before he eventually passed us. Â This semi then attempted to pass the two caravans in front of me at exactly the same time as another vehicle had just passed me. This vehicle was level with the rear of the semi as it pulled out … and the second overtaking vehicle was forced off the road onto the gravel shoulder.
“The driver of the semi then saw the other vehicle and aborted the overtaking of the other two caravans.
“There was a stream of vehicles behind these two caravans for another 30 kilometres or more, and no one was able to pass them. The semi eventually passed one caravan, then the other.
“It is only then that the two vans pulled up in a gravel section on a narrow part of the road, despite passing several truck spots along the 70 kilometre stretch.
“This is just a reminder to all the caravanners on the road to be a little courteous and leave space between yourself and the other van you are travelling with.
“If the semi driver had not seen the other vehicle at the last minute, I would have been a witness to an horrific accident. And it would have been caused by two selfish and inconsiderate caravan drivers.”
* Have you seen ‘caravan convoys’ making life difficult for other motorists? Comment below
Yes we were on a recent trip to Armidale NSW along Bucketts Way and this time not towing our van but came across three vans travelling together and not leaving enough room betwen them. When we caught them there were two others cars behind them , we were able to pass each car and van one at a time but we did have to force the space between the vans and it did take us quite a few klm as this road is very hard to overtake any vehicle . After we passed them we did notice they left more space between each other. This is how accidents happen.
Having a 2 way in the car too would have helped. The truck driver would have been able to talk to the vanners.
Only if they had their ears on
100% mate but a lot of vanners have 2 ways but dont turn them on. If you tow a van it should be law that you have a 2 way
Only if the vanners had two way themselves and on the right channel
Last yr I was travelling North and three caravans travelling South, two semis behind these caravans, I couldn’t resist after hearing the truckies complaining about these vans I said to Him just run over the top of them well didn’t he laughed and said to me did you just pass me in the motorhome, Yeap mate, they should leave at least two caravan lengths or more between them, that is what we were taught as young caravanners in our club back in nz something you never forget
I feel that road users of this sort would NOT even acknowledge the truckies
Gets me too. What’s wrong with at least 1km? It’s like they think they will get lost. Yesterday we passed 5 vehicles heading the opposite way to Cape Levique, all within about 10 mts of each other, dust and all. One may have been wanting to pass a van but the others were cars or cars and campers, looked like a convoy. Only one road, split up, there are plenty of cars going both ways if you need help.
Gets me too. What’s wrong with at least 1km? It’s like they think they will get lost. Yesterday we passed 5 vehicles heading the opposite way to Cape Levique, all within about 10 mts of each other, dust and all. One may have been wanting to pass a van but the others were cars or cars and campers, looked like a convoy. Only one road, split up, there are plenty of cars going both ways if you need help.
Even if they have UHF’s, they don’t have them on the Truckies Channel, they have them on a channel that they can speak to their companions. Being on the Truckies Channel helps all travellers, as you can help them through when it is possible or you can communicate with them until they are in front of you and on their way….they are working not on holiday!!
whenever we travel we have our uhf/cb on scan so that we can hear all chanels
Not always good to be on trickiest channel as it really annoys them hearing all of the caravan ears rubbish, post your channel number on the back of your van, the truck driver will change channel and talk if needs be
Saw an RV cut a truck off today crossing from the right lane to an exit at the last second. The truck driver avoided an accident but he was not at all happy as the colourful language directed at the RV driver on the two way showed.
We have spent the last three months travelling from Pilbara to Kimberley and Darwin then back. The things I have seen make me ashamed to tow a van sometimes… It seems that during the “migration” season some van owners think that the road is theirs and theirs alone. If your gear can’t run within 10 to 15 k’s of the posted limits (NT) excepted, your running the wrong gear! Courtesy is the key as a traveller on the road. We are making memories whilst they are making a living helping to the very places we visit stay alive so when we get there we eat drink and be merry not to mention refuel so we can go to the next stop. Show some respect and you will receive some
Why don’t people pull over and let people pass if they don’t want to go at the speed limit. No courtesy anymore
That’s fine to have a two way I agree, but I do disagree with the utter disgusting language my wife would have to put up with if it were left on !! The majority of this coming from truck drivers. That’s why most , if they do have them are turned off.
Idiots. You have to leave enough space for another vehicle to get in between you. They obviously didn’t have a brain between the two of them.
Constantly see vans fail to pull over when ample and safe space, no idea why you would want your holiday to include a bunch of cranky people driving behind you?
Responsible ‘Vanners ‘ monitor rear traffic conditions and maintain a safety distance between vehicles. A ‘Grey Nomad’ myself, it is something that I am very aware of and where possible pull to the side to allow traffic to pass. After all we are in no hurry!!
Yes we had left Eucla heading west early one morning along with i think every truckie in Aus heading west. We had been passed by many b double semis with no problem , we came across another caravaner heading our way they were travelling at 90 kph , which was fine , i could see a semi catching us so i gave him space and slowed to let him pass safely however this other van started to accelerate as the truckie began to pass leaving the truckie on the wrong side of the road for what seemed like 4 or 5 ks . I thought it was time for us to pass them and they did the same thing to us they were completely oblivious to the danger they were causing i had words with them at the next fuel stop to which he said he was completely within his rights as he never went over 100 kph what a plo ker be safe people
I still say that for anyone to tow either a trailer or caravan they should be made to hold a class 5 or E class licence. Too many of these so called Vanners drive only on a normal car licence and have absolutely no idea how to tow or even reverse a trailer or van. Just have a look at some caravan parks when they try to put their Van into a space.
I have seen so may arguments when they try to hitch up with only the WIFE guiding them backwards.
Make them get a licence for an Articulated vehicle before going on the roads.
Getting a licence doesn’t mean gaining commonsense. Quick look at some of P platers with licences tell you that. Even a towing course will not help. Maybe increase knowledge but unless you continue to develop skills it means nothing. Many people will have 1 years experience 50 times, others will have 50 years experience.
What irritates me is (as someone said in an earlier post) the drivers – cars as well as vanners – who sit below the speed limit, but then seem to come alive in overtaking lanes and speed up so you don’t get passed them. I’ve been in military convoys on the mid-year exercise travel and we’ve copped heaps of abuse from truckies, but at least we travel in packets of vehicles with defined distances between each vehicle to allow other road users to overtake safely. Some of these folks need to learn a few lessons in this regard.
Well I try to always leave at 30 metres between myself ant the vehicle in front, trouble is, so many idiotic drivers just zoom in and fill the hole and I am back where I started.
It is most prevelant in built up traffic areas, you leave at least a vehicle gap and whammo, some Richardhead jumps into it and you end up going backwards just trying be safe and courteous!
yes we were doing the same trip on the bruce highway to
cairns, and some of the ITIOTS we saw were unreal. the best was when there was road works and a big buildup of traffic, were again setting of after stopping.. say this IDIOT with a 21ft caravan, passing not only us, with a 21ft caravan but a truck and car, and there was in hill rise . all we could do was watch him and PRAY he made it over the hill, without a other car coming his way. but he was not the only one. and I think the BRUCE HIGHWAY is well behind the times, with all the traffic it gets, it should have been a free way with four lanes. qld get going and catch up with the other states.
It is frustrating how many times you hear of this problem with people towing not only vans but boats as well. They drive well below the speed limit only to come alive when there is an overtaking lane, and then you hear the BS about “driving to the conditions”.
If you and your two vehicle are not capable of driving at the posted or legal limit either get some training or get a new two vehicle.
We were recently in the North West of WA stuck behind a road train that was stuck behind a van sitting just on 80. Perfectly safe road and clear conditions, why oh why was this mobile road block delaying everyone stuck behind him. The road train and us did make it past this van, but I really felt for the truckie as he would have been on tight schedule.