First tow in bad weather
We are coming home tomorrow from a great weekend but the weather forecast looks quite stormy and we are relative new returnees to towing and certainly haven't towed in gusty winds.
What advice can the experienced oldies offer and also we are coming back from the Stroud/Dursley area of Gloucestershire to West Wiltshire, which route would you choose that isn't too tricky for a caravan to navigate.
Comments
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My first piece of advice would be DON'T do it if forecasters are giving speeds in excess of 40 mph. Either travel today and lose a nights stop or try to arrange to travel after the storm has subsided. If you are travelling try to avoid exposed roads, especially if you know there will crosswinds and try to pick a route that goes through towns or built up places, although watch out for those winds if moving past a building and into a crosswind. We reduce our speed by at least10%. If people behind don't like it, tough!
Good Luck but if necessary leave it until Tuesday. Leave dead early if working.
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Yes just looking at the forecast, there doesn't appear to be a wind weather warning for where we currently are, it looks as though it's more Avon and Wiltshire.
I'll check with the owner tonight about if she's got someone coming in tomorrow pm and if not that should time quite nicely with the weather brightening up.
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Moulesy, which way would you go for Ciren, don't want to really go up to Birdlip if I can help it.
We apparently have to be unhooked by 11am. Hopefully will have eased by late morning, but will have to play it by ear and see what it is like when it arrives.
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Catherine, haven't got the map in front of me, but from memory it's A417 Stroud to Cirencester - you'll actually pass the club site at Cirencester, then right at the roundabout and follow signs for Chippenham. You'll miss Birdlip altogether.
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Catherine, haven't got the map in front of me, but from memory it's A417 Stroud to Cirencester - you'll actually pass the club site at Cirencester, then right at the roundabout and follow signs for Chippenham. You'll miss Birdlip altogether.
What's the route like from the M5 to Stonehouse and Stroud? It's an age since I've been that way. I'm guessing as it's an A Road it should be pretty decent.
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bassett, do you not find tetbury a bit tight and or the road to Malmesbury the same? The route you have suggested in the quicket/shortest route home for us.
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Catherine, haven't got the map in front of me, but from memory it's A417 Stroud to Cirencester - you'll actually pass the club site at Cirencester, then right at the roundabout and follow signs for Chippenham. You'll miss Birdlip altogether.
What's the route like from the M5 to Stonehouse and Stroud? It's an age since I've been that way. I'm guessing as it's an A Road it should be pretty decent.
Catherine, the road from the M5 through to Stroud is fine, we towed that way last year. We then went up onto Minchinghampton Common, so didn't tow round Stroud, itself it shouldn't be a problem. Just follow
the Cirencester signs.0 -
We are also faced with the same dilemma at Eastling Down Farm CS Whitfield near Dover. Due to go home today but will sit out the storm and leave when it is safe. Inconvenient but all part of the fun of the outdoor life! Safe driving everyone.
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Well I'm delighted to say we left at about 10.15 am and im now in a hot bath at home. The journey home was absolutely fine, although perhaps some of you will be kind enough to give me your opinion on the other thread I've posted under tow cars. We came
down the M5 and across to Chippenham on the M4, there was a little bit of light wind around Bristol but that was it. Thank you to everyone who commented on this thread I do appreciate it. The caravan club is a great family.0 -
So glad you're home safe Catherine. Enjoy your hot soak.
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Glad you're home safe and sound and had an enjoyable weekend by the sound of things. The weather down here in Cornwall has not been as bad as forecast during the day, think we had the worst of it overnight. Motorway option was perhaps the best option in
that case.Of course, now the question is ..... where next?
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Glad you're home safe and sound and had an enjoyable weekend by the sound of things. The weather down here in Cornwall has not been as bad as forecast during the day, think we had the worst of it overnight. Motorway option was perhaps the best option in
that case.Of course, now the question is ..... where next?
Write your comments here... Throughout my life I've always found people questioning me.
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Well the next trip will be a trial weekend in the new caravan, so that will be very local at Plough Lane, which is a non club adults only site in Chippenham. So a bit of a contrast to Passage Farm. However I've just bumped our booking at Wells Farm touring Park for May Day BH for wait for it....... Greenacres Farm CL site
Just need to find a replacement date for Wells.
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That's not the one at the traffic lights is it Moulesy?
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That's not the one at the traffic lights is it Moulesy?
No, that's The Plough - haven't been there for some time, it changes hands quite often so not sure how good it is now. To get to The Jolly Huntsman go straight over at the lights. It's less than a mile but a difficult road to walk along particularly in the
dark. But well worth it when you get there!0 -
Glad that you are home safe and sound, and that the tow was not too bad. Hope you have as good a time on your next trip.
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