Under inflated TYRES on caravan or trailer
Leaking valves, damaged to rims and punctures can happen without warning. These flex which generates extreme heat and if left un-noticed, results in a high speed blow-out. Sudden braking with uneven tyres can also cause a vehicle to skid or sway reducing the braking effect and creating a dangerous uncontrolled steering situation. |
Powerful vehicles with air conditioning and audio systems are reasons why caravans are sometimes towed for several kilometres running on the rim with a shredded tyre.
The tread from shredded tyres can wreck the side panels or smash up through the wheel-arch causing extensive damage. |
 |
| Its usually a passing motorist who lets you know that your tyre is missing or that smoke is coming out of the wheel. Sometimes there's no passing motorist and the results can be disastrous. |
| |
|
Overheating Bearings
Extreme heat is generated.
Eventually the grease ignites and the whole wheel bursts into flames. The bearing may seize causing the hub and wheel to come off and can ruin the stub axle, cause a capsisal or even worse, fatalities. |
|
| |
|
Overheating Brakes
Controllers in the towing vehicle can be difficult to adjust and can cause the brake shoes to drag on the drum creating excessive heat which leads to brake fade rendering the brakes totally ineffective. It is also very easy to be distracted when hitching up and leave the park brake engaged.Excessive heat in brakes will also ruin the brake components and may even cause the wheel to ignite. |
|
| |
|
Uneven Braking
In an emergency disconnected electric brake wires can cause a caravan or trailer to skid or sway reducing the braking effect and creating a dangerous uncontrolled steering situation. The wires are very vulnerable because of continual exposure to flying stones and other objects. Also excessive axle movement can cause the connectors to dislodge. This can happen any time and normally goes un-noticed until it's too late.
Some systems such as the Tekonsha Prodigy will detect failure in the entire circuit only. It will not warn if only one brake has lost connection. It is this condition that causes a dangerous uncontrolled steering situation.
|
