TECH
Q: What is the next equally-most important design consideration for any caravan? A: Handling smoothly and predictably on the road, as per the evenness (or roughness) of the roadway surface on which it was designed to be responsibly towed. Suspension system design for caravans is an extremely complex subject, where poor (generic or offthe-shelf) configurations can quickly and dangerously impair the dynamics and road holding of the caravan. There are definite reasons why caravans can and do quickly and uncontrollably jackknife and roll over. Unlike a semi trailer or fifth-wheeler, which have their coupling, or articulation point, virtually directly over the rear axle, conventional tow vehicle/caravan
combinations are at a considerable disadvantage. That's because their coupling is a considerable distance behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. This greatly increases the possibility of caravan sway developing if something, such as a harsh bump in the road or a powerful wind gust, is encountered. This potentially lethal condition is exacerbated if the mass of the tow vehicle is not appreciably heavier than the mass of the caravan. For example, when the driver turns the steering wheel in one direction, the front of the caravan moves on the opposite direction, which is hardly the most desirable reaction in terms of maintaining stability on a curve.
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