Latest news with #TotalTowingSetups
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussie truckie praises caravanners for simple road act that saves lives: 'Well done'
Australia is known for its great open roads and expansive, sweeping outback. And while the scenery may be breathtaking, the practicalities of sharing narrow, single-lane highways can pose serious challenges, especially when it comes to overtaking or navigating tight bends and blind spots. When driving larger vehicles such as trucks or caravans, this becomes even harder. But, there is one useful tool proving effective for travellers — ultra-high frequency (UHF) radios. An Aussie truckie from South Australia shared this week how the devices make journeying safer for caravanners and truck drivers. Posting online, Ben showed three separate incidents of caravans pulling over to allow his truck to pass, using a UHF radio to communicate. "Three in a row and all three couldn't have done it better," Ben said. "If you want to pull a van around Australia, for your own safety, get a UHF. Yes, some trucks won't answer you, but most will. Well done to these three travellers, be like these three." In the vision, Ben said open communication "straight away" puts him "at ease" knowing other drivers are willing to coordinate a safe overtake. "When I'm ready to go, I know we're on the same page," he said. Gary Gardiner from Total Towing Setups earlier told Yahoo News Australia he "highly recommends" travellers use UHF radios, particularly when driving on highways. Online, other truck drivers applauded the caravan occupants in the video. "No truer words. Those three van drivers did the right and good on them. That's the way it should happen," one man wrote. "Great to see some good behaviour on the road," another commented. Truck drivers in Australia often advocate for the use of UHF radios among caravan owners as a crucial tool for road safety and communication. On highways and remote roads, where phone signals can be unreliable, UHF radios allow direct, real-time contact between vehicles. This helps truck drivers alert slower-moving caravans to their presence, coordinate safe overtaking, and avoid dangerous situations. By promoting UHF use, truck drivers aim to reduce road tension, prevent accidents, and improve traffic flow, especially in rural and regional areas where large trucks and caravans frequently share narrow roads. 🛣️ Photo of caravan on highway highlights 'dangerous' problem 👩 Woman's horrific injury after basic caravan mistake 🚐 Aussie retiree's $7,000 caravan debacle highlights major issue On single-lane or two-lane rural roads, it can be very difficult and dangerous for a truck to overtake a caravan due to limited visibility, long braking distances, and the sheer size of both vehicles. UHF radios allow truck drivers to communicate directly with caravanners, often asking if they can safely overtake, or requesting the caravan to slow slightly or indicate when it's safe to pass. This coordination between vehicles helps prevent risky manoeuvres and makes the road safer for everyone involved. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Woman's horrific injury after basic caravan mistake: 'Quite the blood spatter'
WARNING – GRAPHIC IMAGE: A woman's horrific finger injury has sparked a warning for other caravanning enthusiasts to be mindful of where you place your fingers. The woman had taken her caravan to a repair shop and was struggling to hitch it to her car when she accidentally got her finger caught between the tow ball and the coupling. The incident, which happened in the US state of Ohio, has sparked a warning from experts in Australia who told Yahoo News accidents can happen quickly if you're unprepared. A gory photo shows the American woman's fingertip stuck to the tow ball, with a trail of nerve endings hanging out. 'There was quite the blood spatter up the back of the vehicle from them ripping it out,' a worker at the repair centre said. Gary Gardiner from Total Towing Setups told Yahoo News he's heard of fingers and hands being 'pinched and crushed' over his 25 years in the caravanning industry. 'I might've heard of half a dozen or so [accidents] where they've somehow got their hand in the way as they were trying to manoeuvre the coupling left or right to make it line up with the ball,' he said, but admitted it's the first time he's seen anyone lose a body part. 'There is no need for hands or fingers in or around the coupling itself or the tow ball. Just keep everything well and truly clear.' 🐊 Aussies warned of danger lurking in floodwaters: 'Always an issue' ♻️ Photo capturing brazen recycling act sparks debate: 'Could be charged' 🚘 Obscure '3D' road markings appear on roads On Facebook, viewers were horrified by the finger injury — and some had their own stories to share. One woman said her husband had also crushed his thumb between the ball and the coupling before. Another person said their wife 'basically cut her fingers off' when she checked to see if the camper was attached properly. 'The full weight of the camper shifted and caught her finger,' the commenter wrote. A man even posted a photo of his healed hand after losing the tip of his index finger the same way. 'Been there,' he said. Connecting a vehicle to a caravan or trailer is a 'slow process usually' and should be 'simple and basic', Gardiner said, offering some tips: When purchasing a caravan, make sure the dealer or previous owner explains how to use the coupling When reversing a car to the trailer, keep everyone clear of the moving vehicle When you're lowering the coupling on to the ball, keep all your hands and fingers well out of the way When the coupling is in place, lock it down and make sure it is secure Put electrical leads and safety chains in place before driving Gardiner teaches caravan safety and will be holding masterclasses twice daily at the Let's Go Gold Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo from February 7 to 9. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
