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Question

Difficulty: EasyTowing Trailers and Caravans

While driving on a dual carriageway, the caravan you are towing begins to sway from side to side (snaking). What should you do to bring the vehicle combination safely under control?

  1. Ease off the accelerator smoothly and hold the steering wheel steadyAnswer
  2. B
    Accelerate firmly to pull the caravan back into a straight line
  3. C
    Brake heavily to bring the vehicle to an immediate standstill
  4. D
    Steer sharply in the opposite direction of each sway to correct the movement

Answer

Ease off the accelerator smoothly and hold the steering wheel steady
When a caravan or trailer begins to snake, easing off the accelerator smoothly and maintaining a steady steering direction allows the outfit to slow down naturally and regain stability without triggering a skid or jackknife.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Detect the onset of trailer snaking or lateral swaying
Recognise that aerodynamic forces, turbulence, or weight distribution are causing the caravan to oscillate
Early detection allows for gentle correction before the sway becomes violent
2
Gradually ease off the accelerator pedal while keeping the steering wheel steady
The vehicle combination slows down smoothly and the swaying movement dampens out
Gradually reducing speed restores aerodynamic and mechanical stability without destabilising the hitch connection

Key Concept

Recovering from trailer snaking by gently reducing speed
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Topics

Towing Trailers and Caravans

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