MOT for Caravans
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Deleted User User, to be honest I have to totally agree with you. My last posting saw us living very close to the Dutch boarder and over several years meeting a number of like-minded Dutch families. English being their second language communications was not an issue, your comments regarding their high vehicle duties when coupled to their love of outdoors; camping and caravanning was a subject discussed many times over a beer or two. You are quite correct, over the years the two have resulted in ‘some’ Dutch outfits falling short of what ‘we’ in this country would consider safe. May I suggest in the same breath you could include the Belgium’s and Italian’s? However; my limited knowledge and discussions with Italians would suggest they are more of a nation of hire – hook and go.
The Dutch, as do most Europeans cram as much as possible in the their vans, no matter what size, working very much on the principle – if there’s room we can take it – as you no doubt have seen on occasion including the kitchen sink and fridge freezer! Resulting in; weight, distribution of, coupled with vehicle compatibility either by default or by choice not featuring on their radar. May I also suggest, two additional factors, ‘we’ consider as extremely important - driving time and travelling distance, both I am sorry to say quite often fall off or fail to register. With sadness I have to say we have known families with young children on their last full day, rise early, pack everything, have a full day on the beach, with a very hot sun, then as night falls drive 500, 600 miles, quite often travelling straight through night only stopping for a call of nature or to refuel - never considering associated dangers and think this as quite normal - dare I say, as traffic thins an increase in travelling speed - perhaps this is where on occasion you may have been passed at a great rate of knots resulting in passed comments?
‘Mr Dutch family’- if you are reading this I apologize in advance – please don’t think for one minute I ‘m implying that all Dutch caravanners are the same – nothing could be further from the truth.
Whilst I have pinned my colours to the mask regarding speed - perhaps my ‘English’ way of outfit matching (be that 95%) and my continual review of ‘associated risks’ cross matched to my European living for a number of years and associated views is perhaps where and why I find myself given the subject – speed.
May I suggest ‘we’ have possibly ‘hogged’ centre stage surrounding the original subject and gone off piste a little – but would like to think in principle - we sing off the same hymn sheet?
May I suggest a New Discussion? – I think I can safely say where we both stand -
IN NO WAY AM I SUGGESTIONING THERE ARE DEFENCES FOR SPEEDING BUT…...... in my opinion; with recent vehicle advanced technologies alongside much improved caravan safety and respective technologies do they now not provide additional ‘sufficient’ safety measures for a review of present towing speeds? – I am NOT suggesting a massive hike or across all present speed limits, but only from the present 60mph to 65mph and only on 3 lane motorways – whilst keeping in place all existing lane 3 rules and laws.
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I would not want the speed limit increased and doubt we cpuld get 65 anyway as speed limits are always in 10 mph amounts.
Taking it tp 70 would give the idiots who do that now the chance to hit 80 and accidents galore. As it is plenty of people drive at 65 now so I would not encourage them to go faster.
As fuel consumption used to overcome wind resistance doubles with every additional 10 mph I have no intention of wasting the fuel it would use.
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On A1M thursday "traffic management" pick up loaded with traffic lights towing trailer loaded with traffic lights overtook us on outside lane doing over 70mph we were at 70mph with sat nav on in middle lane as were several other vehicles
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Sadly it appears that most of the people posting on this thread have not read the Hansard record. It is about a tragic accident killing a child when a trailer became disconnected. It was recognised that an MOT would have made no difference. We should however
all take note of the need to double check our trailer is securely hitched and the safety line attached. I confess I have failed to do this on two occasions. Both events were without serious consequences. But this tragic incident must be a stark warning and
reminder for all of us.0 -
...., due to the significant detrimental affect on mpg.
I'm sure that in the grand scheme of things, sticking a ton & a half box on the back of your car is really enviromentally friendly as it is.
No, but as with all aspects of life we can minimise our impact. 1000's of caravans traveling at 55 to 60 rather than 65 to 70 when combined with 100's of other saving will make a difference. Even if you dispute the environmental impact oil is a finite resource.
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... Even if you dispute the environmental impact oil is a finite resource.
Where did I say/imply I disputed its impact? Let's ban caravans completely then? Or shall we have a min mpg for a towing car and what should we set it at ..... 19 ..... 25 ...... 32?
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We've just posted a story about
'Our First Caravan'. Even back in the eighties in Germany we had to have our caravan tested annually. The BFG testing was done by RAF techical staff. Caravans had their own registration documents and number plates. The test involved reversing up a ramp
to test the over-run braking!0
