Is MH a high sided vehicle?

caroleandrob
caroleandrob Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited December 2015 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Does anybody know if a Swift Escape or any other MH is technically a high sided vehicle?

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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2015 #2

    The only information I can find is from Traffic Scotland who say any vehicle over 2.9mtrs high 

  • fur ball
    fur ball Forum Participant Posts: 155
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    edited December 2015 #3

    Hi I would say if you have to be aware of low bridges then yes.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #4

    Also, if weather reports warn that 'high sided' vehicles are restricted from bridges etc., then I think I'd include myself in that category.  I'd rather know that I'm not in danger.

    Is there a specific reason for your question?

    150 pixels photo ba9efc87-643d-42da-9817-e5b5ead08e3e_zpsf5f9425f.png

     

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #5

    I would say yes too.  We have been parked on a site when the wind blew hard and boy does it rock
    Surprised.  We notice side winds when driving if it's blustery too.  If you are asking because of weather warnings I'd again say yes, it's
    a very large side area to be hit by strong gusts, having watched a large lorry blow over on a motorway I wouldn't be tempting fate.

  • caroleandrob
    caroleandrob Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited December 2015 #6

    Hi Jill. The reason is that the Forth Road bridge regularly posts that high sided vehicles are restricted.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #7

    I'd definitely include a motorhome for those purposes as I posted earlier Laughing

  • caroleandrob
    caroleandrob Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited December 2015 #8

    Thanks all for your replies. Looks like I'm going to come down on the side of caution. Rob

  • robsail
    robsail Forum Participant Posts: 1,441
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    edited December 2015 #9

    If you have to ask yourself the guest then err on the side of caution! Having seen what happens when someone driving a small lorry tried to cros the forth road bridge when there was high winds I wouldn't risk it! The van was blown on its side!

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited January 2016 #10

    Although caravans are lower than 2.9m, they present a substantial flat surface area to any crosswind, and being lighter than most lorries would be just as susceptible to the conditions that invoke prohibitions to high-sided vehicles. It would be imprudent
    to risk it even if technically it did not apply to you.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2016 #11

    I've crossed the Forth Bridge a number of times and often windy. A few years ago. however, I was leaving Edingburgh and towing over the bridge when a storm hit. It was breezy but when we were a quarter of the way across a sudden squall hit and it was really
    wild. A kind trucker driving a petrol tanker who had been behind me accelerated out and sat alongside me all the way across sheltering me.

    I was very greatfull indeed!

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #12

    Thanks for your response Rob.  I'd definitely err on the side of caution.  Happy

    150 pixels photo ba9efc87-643d-42da-9817-e5b5ead08e3e_zpsf5f9425f.png

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
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    edited January 2016 #13

    When the say 'Closed to high sided vehicles' They mean it. This driver picked up a driving ban.

    <<HERE>>

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited January 2016 #14

    It will be down to the Courts to decide what is a high sided vehicle. The Courts will consider the design and build of the vehicle and the weather conditions. I cannot see a Court deciding a slab sided motorhome is anything other than a high sided vehicle.

     

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2016 #15
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  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #16

    Siri?

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited January 2016 #17

    She who must be obeyed and is the font of all knowledge has stated that a high sided vehicle is one where the height is greater than the width of the wheel base.  

    Some 4x4 must fit that criteria or come pretty close.

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2016 #18
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  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #19

    She who must be obeyed and is the font of all knowledge has stated that a high sided vehicle is one where the height is greater than the width of the wheel base.  

    Some 4x4 must fit that criteria or come pretty close.

    std MH width around 2.35m.....so wheelbase less.....height of our van 2.89m......however, id risk it....Wink

    drove across Salisbury Plain a couple of days back, pretty breezy but at 50+ mph not really a problem, just dont go too fast, less time to react to any change in wind pressure...

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #20

    " ... drove across Salisbury Plain a couple of days back ... "

    Bet the van's going to need a good wash down now then! Wink

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2016 #21
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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited January 2016 #22

    ..

    She who must be obeyed and is the font of all knowledge has stated that a high sided vehicle is one where the height is greater than the width of the wheel base.  

    Some 4x4 must fit that criteria or come pretty close.

    std MH width around 2.35m.....so wheelbase less.....height of our van 2.89m......however, id risk it....Wink

    drove across Salisbury Plain a couple of days back, pretty breezy but at 50+ mph not really a problem, just dont go too fast, less time to react to any change in wind pressure...

    ...So you think yours is a bit of a Tank?Wink

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2016 #23
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  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #24

    a tank no, really i would henerally go along with any advisory signs....in all honesty, i probably wouldnt be scurrying around the country if the weather was that bad, certainly not on a high bridge.....and not in Scotland...

    yes, M, the van is a bit dirty, along with everyone elses here in Salisbury....weather a real pain.....need a serious dose of sunshine.....internet here we come....

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2016 #25
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  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited January 2016 #26

    Caroleandrob

    I have done a bit of digging, The FRB website has two charts, the first chart shows the higher the wind speed they then increase the restrictions on different vehicles until it includes all vehicles and closes completely.

    The second chart does not define a height but lists vehicles that fall into that catagory.

    see www.forthroadbridge.org/travel/wind-and-weather

    If in doubt phone the bridge control on  0131 319 3083 and give them the height of your motorhome. If he says ok I would make a note of his name.

    Is that my good deed for today?  Happy

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #27

    Don't look at the weather forecast BB, it's depressing, but looking on the bright side you will be warm and dry in your MH.  Enjoy Smile.

    unfortunately, DD, saw it this morning. still, mamnaged to get out for a quick stroll this morning, and we had a great clear (and cold) night with some local fireworks and few toddies...

    popping up the road with four pals this evening for an early dinner....

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited January 2016 #28

    When the say 'Closed to high sided vehicles' They mean it. This driver picked up a driving ban. <<HERE>>

    WOW!!! Thats motorhome dimensionsSurprised Frightening....Cool

    Edit

    Looks like the wind has blown 4 of my stars awayInnocentSurprisedCool

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited January 2016 #29

    He was also orderd to do community service, I wonder of that included picking up litter on a windy day?

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited January 2016 #30

    It is worth noting that when the "High Sided Vehicle" restriction is in force the list of prohibited vehicles includes caravans.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited January 2016 #31

    It will be down to the Courts to decide what is a high sided vehicle. The Courts will consider the design and build of the vehicle and the weather conditions. I cannot see a Court deciding a slab sided motorhome is anything other than a high sided vehicle.

     

    In Scotland it is defined as 2.9 meters. If the law lays down a definition then you can be sure of your position as long as you know the height of your vehicle.

    I agree diffeent considerations apply to caravans given the slab sides and low weight. The height restriction problems do generally relate to empty lorries in reality though as they then have similar problems of large sides an little weight. This is why
    in bad weather you will often see them running with the sides open to reduce the effect of wind on them.

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