Furniture and clothes were scattered over the road when a caravan came adrift from its towing car and split in two.
The owners were returning home from Brighton when the van unhooked and overturned, spilling its contents across the A23 near Sayers Common.
Cars following the caravan screeched to a halt as they saw its contents suddenly strewn across the tarmac.
Police spent 30 minutes clearing the carriageway after the wreckage was towed away.
A spokesman said: "The caravan somehow came off the tow-bar and, because it was travelling at speed, overturned and fell to bits.
"We can not emphasise enough how important it is to ensure caravans are secure, both inside and out, before they are taken on the road."
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