incident on A1: Caravan detached from car

lamlash · Aug 11th, 2011, 22:49

Not really Volvo related but may be of interest to fellow caravanners.

I saw the immediate aftermath of a caravan incident on the A1 in North Yorkshire today. Thankfully there were no injuries and the police who had just arrived at the scene and were trying to man-handle a newish looking Lunar caravan off the central reservation - looks like it was jammed on the crash barrier. The towcar was a Mondeo Estate (model year 2005-ish) on the hard shoulder and appeared undamaged. The Mondeo's towbar appeared to be a swan neck type and the swan neck was missing - presumably still attached to the caravan!

The only thing I can think of is that it was a detachable swan neck type and it failed or wasn't properly fitted. Googled it and found a clip from a similar incident involving a horse trailer and Range Rover.

I'll be checking mine for any damage / defects at the weekend but I can't help thinking I should have gone for a trusty fixed flange type!

The Hooded Claw · Aug 11th, 2011, 23:37

One of the Reasons I NEVER use a "Detachable" Towbar/Ball if it has two BIG FOOK OFF BOLTS in it .. I KNOW Its Gonna stay put!!!!

Keith

JamesV70R · Aug 12th, 2011, 09:51

Yep - fixed bar for me too. Don't trust "removable" bars.

We had one on the courtesy car 2 years back - and we cranked it up so tight I think its become a "fixed" bar now!

y2blade · Aug 12th, 2011, 09:56

the XC90 has a detachable tow bar...I always make sure it is fully "Clunked" into place before towing..I always give it a good whack too, to make sure it is locked in place

I shudder to think what would happen if we lost the Horse trailer off the back of it

really doesn't bear thinking about

Aug 11th, 2011, 22:49	#1
lamlash Junior Member Last Online: May 4th, 2015 20:21 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: newcastle	incident on A1: Caravan detached from car Not really Volvo related but may be of interest to fellow caravanners. I saw the immediate aftermath of a caravan incident on the A1 in North Yorkshire today. Thankfully there were no injuries and the police who had just arrived at the scene and were trying to man-handle a newish looking Lunar caravan off the central reservation - looks like it was jammed on the crash barrier. The towcar was a Mondeo Estate (model year 2005-ish) on the hard shoulder and appeared undamaged. The Mondeo's towbar appeared to be a swan neck type and the swan neck was missing - presumably still attached to the caravan! The only thing I can think of is that it was a detachable swan neck type and it failed or wasn't properly fitted. Googled it and found a clip from a similar incident involving a horse trailer and Range Rover. I'll be checking mine for any damage / defects at the weekend but I can't help thinking I should have gone for a trusty fixed flange type!

Aug 11th, 2011, 23:37	#2
The Hooded Claw Owner Volvovehiclesclub Last Online: Apr 4th, 2014 12:18 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Choosing which Volvo to go out in Today !!! lex parsimoniae View Photos By: The Hooded Claw	One of the Reasons I NEVER use a "Detachable" Towbar/Ball if it has two BIG FOOK OFF BOLTS in it .. I KNOW Its Gonna stay put!!!! Keith __________________ 2000 C70 T5 Phase 1 240 Bhp in Saffron Orange ("SAPPHIRE") 2001 S80 2435cc Now with Andy Northface () 1994 960 CD 3.0 Estate ("The Purple Monster") VOC 25900 lex parsimoniae

Aug 12th, 2011, 09:51	#3
JamesV70R Forum Support Team Last Online: Today 11:50 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Watford	Yep - fixed bar for me too. Don't trust "removable" bars. We had one on the courtesy car 2 years back - and we cranked it up so tight I think its become a "fixed" bar now!

Aug 12th, 2011, 09:56	#4
y2blade Premier Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2021 08:28 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Shire	the XC90 has a detachable tow bar...I always make sure it is fully "Clunked" into place before towing..I always give it a good whack too, to make sure it is locked in place I shudder to think what would happen if we lost the Horse trailer off the back of it really doesn't bear thinking about

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