Unbelievable caravanner (1 Viewer)

[Shiny Paul.]

This idiot was next to me in a traffic jam yesterday, have you ever seen anything so stupid, and he even put has kids in the back of the car !!
I may even send this picture to VOSA or the Police.

 

[dave newell]

Could it be that he/she simply missed putting the lock arm down? Could you not get his/her attention and let them know if their mistake?

D.

 

[Jim]

I think the lashing with green string means he didn't forget anything Dave

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[dave newell]

Fair point Jim, hadn't spotted that, but bleary eyed at this time of the morning and only a small screen on my phone.o

D.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

The arm only puts the hitch anti snake friction pads on, like that its as safe as a standard tow hitch the string is not necessary , though why he has not engaged the pads is a mystery?

 

[funflair]

I don't think the arm will go down as they seem to have a cover over the hitch, could be a lock but not sure.

Martin

PS if you do send the picture to the police make sure you can convince them that somebody other than the driver took the photo as the vehicle is obviously moving

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[2657]

There is a hitch lock still fitted, don't know if the over run brakes would operate like that though.

 

[funflair]

There is a hitch lock still fitted, don't know if the over run brakes would operate like that though.

Wouldn't affect the brakes.

Martin

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Dummy,, everyone knows duct tape is best for these situations..

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[Greenway]

Perhaps parked up at motorway services and put hitch lock on while they went into services, then forgot to take it off before driving away. Not sure about yellow tie though, may have put that on to remind them to take hitch lock off

 

[Lenny HB]

Looks like he couldn't get the hitch lock off so how did he manage to get it coupled unless the lock slides back and is meant to stay in place. The leaver that locks engages the friction pads also locks the hitch on. Any undulation or bump in the road it will uncouple, a bit of guy rope ain't going to hold it.

 

[Kingham]

Without knowing what the string is about, there is nothing in that picture that is overtly unsafe or requires the attention of the authorities.

As long as the green pop out (not visible due to angle) on the front of the Al-Ko hitch shows that the hitch is properly engaged with the tow ball, then it is safe.

Putting the arm down only engages the friction pads, which is designed as an anti-snake device and not compulsory.

I used to use the Al-Ko hitch lock which can be seen in the picture, but never travelled with it in situ.

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[Zigisla]

The lock is an anti theft device for when you are stationery only as it stops the hitch release handle being lifted, but It says on the instructions not to use whilst moving. Maybe he put this on when parked up at services to save theft of caravan and forgot to remove it. The anti snake lock handle cannot be down with this type of lock. Could be an oversight after starting off again. What the lashing is for I don't know but could all be to do with belt and braces theft of caravan whilst at service area. I had one on my folding camper and have driven off with it on before, so it can happen

 

[funflair]

Looks like he couldn't get the hitch lock off so how did he manage to get it coupled unless the lock slides back and is meant to stay in place. The leaver that locks engages the friction pads also locks the hitch on. Any undulation or bump in the road it will uncouple, a bit of guy rope ain't going to hold it.

Not quite true Lenny, the big handle only puts pressure on the friction pads it does not lock the hitch on, that is another handle that is under the hitch lock.

Martin

 

[rb62]

Looks like he chose security over saftey!

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[Speve]

Could it be a stolen caravan? Thieves couldn't get lock off!

 

[chaser]

Could it be a stolen caravan? Thieves couldn't get lock off!

That's a better explanation

 

[Shiny Paul.]

I dont think it was stolen, it was a family with 3 kids, dog, windbreaks buckets spades etc etc

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[Shiny Paul.]

....and I didnt take the picture, my mate lent over from the passenger side while we were in a slow moving (5mph) traffic jam.

 

[Lenny HB]

Without knowing what the string is about, there is nothing in that picture that is overtly unsafe or requires the attention of the authorities.

As long as the green pop out (not visible due to angle) on the front of the Al-Ko hitch shows that the hitch is properly engaged with the tow ball, then it is safe.

Putting the arm down only engages the friction pads, which is designed as an anti-snake device and not compulsory.

I used to use the Al-Ko hitch lock which can be seen in the picture, but never travelled with it in situ.

Not quite true Lenny, the big handle only puts pressure on the friction pads it does not lock the hitch on, that is another handle that is under the hitch lock.

Martin

Brain wasn't in gear what do you expect at 9 am.

 

[Louis]

Looks like he couldn't get the hitch lock off so how did he manage to get it coupled unless the lock slides back and is meant to stay in place. The leaver that locks engages the friction pads also locks the hitch on. Any undulation or bump in the road it will uncouple, a bit of guy rope ain't going to hold it.

That leaver does not lock the hitch on, it only operates the anti snake!! You can still operate the leaver with Hitchcock on, although it's not reccomended to travel with it in place.

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[Manic]

Perhaps he's got a corroded ball and then it would be best not to put second lever, anti sway, down. That type of hitch needs clean ball.

 

[magicsurfbus]

Some years ago I was driving behind a caravan on the M60 and thought to myself "Something about that wheel doesn't look right" and a few seconds later it fell off and rolled into the hard shoulder. Needless to say the car and caravan followed it, trailing a shower of sparks. Made me wonder if he'd changed his caravan tyre recently.

 

[Northernraider]

Perfectly safe as others have said the handle only operates the stabiliser, the alko lock shouldn't be on while travelling I expect he's forgot to remove it after leaving services or something, no idea what the string is let's hope there wasn't a dog attached to it

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[Khizzie]

Had a nutter with a 4x4 towing a twin axle van overtake me in the nearside lane .couldnt wait for me to pull over after overtaking a wagon and I was doing 65 mph. Scared me to death. ..

 

[Jim]

Never having been a carravanner, so have no idea, but my question is...If its perfectly safe why has he lashed it?

 

[SpeedyDux]

Every motorway journey we see caravanners who drive it like it's been stolen. 70 mph, no mirror extensions, and snaking in the crosswind.

Have yet to see one with the green string hitch accessory. Is this going to catch on?

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[funflair]

Never having been a carravanner, so have no idea, but my question is...If its perfectly safe why has he lashed it?

There's still time Jim I can just see you in the Land Rover with a big Airstream following, don't know what the string is for either but I like the dog lead idea, not wishing to inflict any harm to dogs of course

Martin

 

[Northernraider]

Never having been a carravanner, so have no idea, but my question is...If its perfectly safe why has he lashed it?

No idea what the string is for I'm confused by that, but under that locking plate ( alko hitch lock) there's the normal handle for hitching unhitching the van, it had to be hitched properly as the lock plate wouldn't fit on otherwise, the handle that's sticking up is just the built in stabiliser.
I think the best bet is that he's stopped at services, raised the stabiliser arm and fitted the lock and has forgotten to take it off again ( wife kids probably nipping his head with are we there yet and pass the crisps)
The string is confusing I'd love to know why he's wrapped that round..... May well be to confuse folk in vans passing him and make them think he's tied the caravan on

 

[Jim]

Really looks to me that the hitch would not lock on, so he's lashed it in place. Plonker I reckon.

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