Top Gear in trouble again Part 67
17 December 2008, 02:49 PM
#1
Top Gear in trouble again Part 67
Nicked off another forum I frequent
On the radio earlier today about a guy towing trailer with livestock in it.
Basically he got into a "snake" and didnt do the correct thing and ease off the gas to recover it,
instead her put his foot down which made it worse, resulting in an accident where his passenger who also happened to be his boss was killed.
His defence?
"I heard on top gear that you are SUPPOSED to put your foot down in that situation"
He was referring to the caravan episode where May got into a snake and according to the "Towing handbook", if you get into a snake, ease off the gas, Clarkson and Hammond being their typical **** taking selves made a joke out of "nah thats wrong you need to put your foot down and accelerate out of it"
This guy obviously took it literally and now a new war has begun.
The BBC have released a statement stating that the program is "entertainment and not factual" yet there was still some busybody woman on the line slating court.
On the radio earlier today about a guy towing trailer with livestock in it.
Basically he got into a "snake" and didnt do the correct thing and ease off the gas to recover it,
instead her put his foot down which made it worse, resulting in an accident where his passenger who also happened to be his boss was killed.
His defence?
"I heard on top gear that you are SUPPOSED to put your foot down in that situation"
He was referring to the caravan episode where May got into a snake and according to the "Towing handbook", if you get into a snake, ease off the gas, Clarkson and Hammond being their typical **** taking selves made a joke out of "nah thats wrong you need to put your foot down and accelerate out of it"
This guy obviously took it literally and now a new war has begun.
The BBC have released a statement stating that the program is "entertainment and not factual" yet there was still some busybody woman on the line slating court.
17 December 2008, 03:11 PM
#3
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Well if he wanted the facts he should have.. oh I don't know.. read up on how to drive with a trailer attached!
I mean if he had actually been sensible enough to have stopped taking on board information here
He wouldn't have killed someone.
I mean if he had actually been sensible enough to have stopped taking on board information here
He was referring to the caravan episode where May got into a snake and according to the "Towing handbook", if you get into a snake, ease off the gas
Last edited by staffs Mike; 17 December 2008 at 03:13 PM.
17 December 2008, 03:12 PM
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I would've thought that the onus on anyone towing a trailer is to find out the correct MO before actually towing anything and certainly not to blame it on a casual remark heard on a TV show. People can be so stupid sometimes, then try and pass the blame onto someone else
17 December 2008, 03:15 PM
#5
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I remember that particular discussion, and didn't think they were p!ss-taking at the time 
On the two occasions I've had a trailer get a snake on (one of which took up all three lanes of the M56 and required an emergency underwear replacement afterwards), accelerating out of them was definitely the safer option
The biggest survival decider though, is whether the vehicle you are towing with has got the 'muscle' to get whatever you are towing back under control.
On the two occasions I've had a trailer get a snake on (one of which took up all three lanes of the M56 and required an emergency underwear replacement afterwards), accelerating out of them was definitely the safer option
The biggest survival decider though, is whether the vehicle you are towing with has got the 'muscle' to get whatever you are towing back under control.
17 December 2008, 03:17 PM
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I remember that particular discussion, and didn't think they were p!ss-taking at the time
On the two occasions I've had a trailer get a snake on (one of which took up all three lanes of the M56 and required an emergency underwear replacement afterwards), accelerating out of them was definitely the safer option
The biggest survival decider though, is whether the vehicle you are towing with has got the 'muscle' to get whatever you are towing back under control.
On the two occasions I've had a trailer get a snake on (one of which took up all three lanes of the M56 and required an emergency underwear replacement afterwards), accelerating out of them was definitely the safer option
The biggest survival decider though, is whether the vehicle you are towing with has got the 'muscle' to get whatever you are towing back under control.
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17 December 2008, 03:19 PM
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i think you forgot to mention that the bloke who died was 80 and WASNT wearing his seatbelt
another case of not accepting responsibility for your own actions
and the good old media hyping it up
expect to die if you dont wear your seatbelt is the motto of the story
another case of not accepting responsibility for your own actions
and the good old media hyping it up
expect to die if you dont wear your seatbelt is the motto of the story
17 December 2008, 03:41 PM
#10
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Amen to that
In my defence, my cars have only ever towed trailers with rally cars or motorbikes on
The M56 snake was a builders trailer with a Mk2 Escort on. It set itself off rocking on the wagon grooves on the inside lane
The other incident was the same Escort but on a proper trailer this time, at the top end of the M6 in gale force winds
Definitely one of my all time scariest driving occasions
In my defence, my cars have only ever towed trailers with rally cars or motorbikes on
The M56 snake was a builders trailer with a Mk2 Escort on. It set itself off rocking on the wagon grooves on the inside lane
The other incident was the same Escort but on a proper trailer this time, at the top end of the M6 in gale force winds
Definitely one of my all time scariest driving occasions
Last edited by CrisPDuk; 17 December 2008 at 03:42 PM.
17 December 2008, 07:17 PM
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I had a similar incident when towing a Firenza rolling shell with a Subaru pickup, gassing it worked best in that situation. It depends on too many factors to say definitively which to use in every situation.
17 December 2008, 08:52 PM
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I saw a vet topping a load of sheep once on the Woodhead pass after the trailer they were in had rolled. Not nice.
Made me fancy a mutton rogan josh though!
Steve
Made me fancy a mutton rogan josh though!
Steve
18 December 2008, 12:40 AM
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Wasn't there also someone else who phoned-in to the radio station and pointed out that anyone who was qualified to drive such a vehicle would be trained in how to deal with the situation?
18 December 2008, 11:32 AM
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It has got to be a pretty powerful car to be able to pull a trailer out of a wobble, and after that you still have to slow down again.
Best all round to ease off gently and slow down slowly, hoping the wobble does not get uncontrollable. When you have stopped-get the weight distribution correct on the trailer.
Les
Best all round to ease off gently and slow down slowly, hoping the wobble does not get uncontrollable. When you have stopped-get the weight distribution correct on the trailer.
Les
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