World's fastest towed caravan clocks 228km/h

Hot on the heels of the world’s fastest motorhome is news of another record-breaking run by another type of recreational vehicle.

This time a 2006 GMC 2500 HD pick-up truck towing a 10ft Carson Kalispell caravan has blasted into the Guinness Book of Records with a top speed of 141.998mph (228.62km/h) over a dry lake bed in California’s Mojave Desert.

The new record set this month was almost three miles per hour faster than the previous mark of 139.113mph (223.881km/h), set by Eugene Herbert in 2003, driving a Mercedes-Benz S600 hooked up to a standard caravan at the Hoedspruit Air Force Base in South Africa.

Weighing just 1211kg, the compact, single axle Kalispell caravan was straight off the factory floor and featured a host of comforts and conveniences including a toilet, heater, and kitchenette. However, V-rated radial tyres were fitted to cope with the faster speeds.

In order to overcome wind resistance and reach the required speed, the truck’s diesel engine was modified by Pacific Performance Engineering to output up to 1000hp (764kW), thanks to twin turbochargers, an upgraded intercooler, and better exhaust system.

During the run, driver Jason Sands from Diesel Power, also took advantage of a quick nitrous boost at around 120mph that provided the extra kick needed to push the rig to the new record.

With numerous safety precautions taken by the team, Carson Trailer’s Director of Operations, David Endres, was not advising anyone attempt to replicate the incredible feat.

“We don’t recommend towing the trailer faster than the posted speed limit,” he said.  “A person who is willing to take a trailer up to those speeds is definitely crazy.”