Towing to Somerset
Hi All,
Newbie to posting on here, so please be kind! 
Family holiday this weekend, and I'll be towing the van from Lincolnshire down to Somerset. It's been a few years since I've towed that kind of distance or on a motorway. Sat Nav / Google Maps suggests A14 / M6 / M42 / M5. I've done this journey previously just in the car, and I'm a little concerned about towing on the M5 - a few hills and lorries pulling you around etc.
Should I look instead at avoiding the motorway? Alternatives for the M5 stretch, look to be the A38 - is this road suitable? All opinions welcome!
Thank you,
Simon
Comments
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There's no difference between the M5 and any other motorway. The hills aren't steep and it's no problem as literally thousands of other caravanners will testify. The A38 takes you through every village and town en route and is a pain. The M5 was built to let you avoid use of the A38.
Good luck on the busiest weekend if the year. I suggest travelling in the early hours as it will be mayhem out there.
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Where exactly in Somerset are you heading, Simon?
There shouldn't be any problems of the kind you mention - the hills are certainly not the kind of roller coasters you get further on down into Devon & Cornwall and the lorries shouldn't add significantly to your problems. Sheer volume of traffic will be much more significant through most of the day.
But, as I say, if you let us know where you're heading we might be able to suggest possible alternatives.
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The motorway is probably your best bet, but be prepared for very heavy traffic around the Bristol area in particular during most daylight hours!
Have you considered breaking the journey and maybe stopping at a CL en route which might allow you a bit more flexibility in what times to travel?
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As pointed out, this coming weekend is going to be very busy. We travelled up the M5 last Saturday, and there was a very long queue heading south. According to traffic reports, it was adding an hour to journeys from Bristol to Taunton. It’s probably worth listening to traffic reports and have a plan B in place, but accessing the A38 will also be problematic. Good luck!
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Thank you. We have flexibility to leave home on Friday - I think we'll end up staying at the Malvern Hills club site on the Friday evening - this will leave us about 90 miles left for the Saturday morning...by the sounds of it, if we left the site at 9am, hopefully we'll arrive by early afternoon. Can't wait to get away!
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Avoid the A38 through Bristol it's likely to be very busy, an early start from your overnight stop is the best idea and maybe park up somewhere nearer to your destination if you are too early. Sedgemoor services are ok.
Because it will be busy on the M5 you'll probably find slow traffic flow and not too many problems with lorries etc. Most will be going at a much slower pace on the down hill run towards Weston. Have a lovely break the weather looks good!
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As an alternative, have a look at Woodlands Farm CL, just of the M5 at J6. Nice site, EHU and toilet but no shower block. Good family friendly pub for food just down the road. And you might be able to make an earlier start from there, certainly be back on the motorway earlier.
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Yes, the M5 is definitely best for Brean.
Good plan to stop at the Malvern site, or a CL in the area as suggested by Moulsey. If using Malvern, leave the M5 at jcn 7 southbound and rejoin at jcn 8 in the morning.
Good luck. I can guarantee you'll be glad not to be travelling further to Devon & Cornwall.
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Personally speaking, on a summer Saturday I would be looking to get around Bristol about 6pm.when the south bound traffic has subsided and leaving time to get into the site at Brean before it closes. Good luck whatever you decide.
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Good idea to stop at Malvern site on the way down, if it is anything like our recent journey from Chatsworth to Malvern last week (mid week). The M6/M42 junction was an absolute nightmare, about an hour to do five miles. Get an ear!y start from Malvern and hopefully you can get down below Bristol before the M5 becomes a carpark. You can rest up at sedgemoor services if you are too early for your site. Have a safe journey.
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