Caravans being towed over the speed limit
We were coming back from Hillhead Caravan Site last Thursday on the M5 travelling at the legal speed limited 60 mph for towing a caravan and the amount of Caravans being towed overtaking me doing at least 70 mph or more, yes the conditions were dry no wind
why tow so fast. You can have a greater accident the faster you go. How many idiots have you seen towing at these speeds.?
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Somebody wrote a similar letter in the magazine this week saying that their cruise control was set to 60 and several "dangerous" drivers towing caravans overtook them. Well, that set me wondering. When my motorhome speedo reads 60 I am doing 55 (I've checked).
Also, what is the definition of a "safe speed"? 60 can be too fast and 65 can be quite safe depending on conditions (although not legal in this country).I do wonder whether some people are just angry that they can't go faster!
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Changing the topic slightly, on our way to football on Saturday afternoon I saw a caravan being towed up Chapel Hill in Huddersfield which had to stop at the lights at the top of the hill. Now I avoid that hill because it's quite a steep pull away at the
top. This guy tried to set off and stalled, he got away at the second attempt but as I got alongside him I could see that he was on his mobile phone. So that's mobile on his right hand and hand brake in his left hand(it was an old Passat) it begs the question
what was he steering with, he would have to turn fairly sharp left in the lane he was in.0 -
on occasions when passing a convoy of trucks I have exceeded the 60mph limit so as not to cause a tailback so presumably I am also tarred by your descriptive name calling
I have to say, I am guilty of this too, but I don't do it very often! One problem is that if you 'legally' overtake a truck at the correct speed, it is not always possible to see what is in front. If there is a line of trucks, one problem is that many
of these trucks drive so close to the one in front. To try and 'nose in' can be a little dangerous and not all that desirable!David
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In stability terms one unit towing a bit over the speed limit can be very much safer than another keeping below it.
That is very much so in France where all vehicles towing that have a maker's specified GTW over 3500 kgs are limited to 90 kmh [56 mph] on autoroutes. However, a vehicle with a GTW under 3500 kgs can tow at 130 kmh [81 mph]. My Disco 4 breaking the law towing at 60 mph, is very likely vastly safer than a Cleo towing at 81 mph.
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Of course you could simply ask yourselves is it really worth the five minutes you
might save exceeding 60MPH on an average journey. My own observations of caravans being towed much over 60MPH is that they do start to look positively twitchy so perhaps the powers to be who set that limit some years ago were`nt actually far off the
mark.0 -
The problem is that there is no safe limit for all combinations, they are all different although very few would be under 60. The basic problem with testing the limit is you may find out when disaster strikes. I know ours is probably somewhere over 60 but
have no intetntion of testing it and I also know the affect that sped has on fuel consumption. In general I try to tow just under 60 and be safe and reasonably economical.For those I see going faser all I can say don't expect us to pick up the bits if you overdo it and don't expect any sympathy if you are caught. You know the rules and ignore them at your peril.
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I normally set cruise control on motorway to 60mph. My Speedo will read at least 66mph although my satnav will confirm 60. If overtaking lorries up hill I may well accelerate to 62mph. Probably 69 on speedo.
My speedo is obviously a bit more accurate than yours then. 60 on my sat-nav is around 63/64 on the clock
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... My own observations of caravans being towed much over 60MPH is that they do start to look positively twitchy so perhaps the powers to be who set that limit some years ago were`nt actually far off the mark.
My last caravan was as solid as a rock at 60 (and a bit) though I tend not to be quite as fast with my latest caravan due to its increased weight
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Everything can be solid and stable at speeds much higher than UK legal (as shown on test tracks) but even at lower than legal speeds a pot-hole or rut can suddenly change that, as can a need to brake sharply. Although these were never part of the original
design for Motorways in Britain, they are now all too common there.While a short burst of speed higher than that allowed by law could perhaps be justified in fulfilling the greater need of society as a whole by reducing congestion for others, sustained speed higher than legal or conditions allow will eventually lead to
making a situation that is difficult to control into one where control is impossible.When overtaken by vehicles that are travelling at what I consider unreasonable speed for the conditions I'm inclined to slow down a bit so that someone else can have the trauma of being first on the scene of the carnage.
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My Eriba is rock solid stable behind the Freelander at 70 mph+
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Me too, I drive at 65mph with cc on with my xc60 D5. Sat nav says I'm doing about 62mph. If it was unstable I would go slower. In the summer I drove from St Ives to Inverness and I passed a ridiculous number of caravans crawling along below 50 on the M6.
For me time is more important than 3mpg!0 -
My towing has never been more than 5mph over the speed limit for caravans but just recently my new trick is to set the CC at 56mph on motorways and have a easy and in most cases, just as quick a journey! Saves fuel and I arrive unstressed and at ease with myself!. If they want to give themselves high blood pressure by racing their vans to site, (if they get there) let them! One day, and I hope no one else suffers as a result, they will learn either by losing the van as it flips over or by having a near miss!
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... but just recently my new trick is to set the CC at 56mph on motorways and have a easy and in most cases, just as quick a journey! ....
The trouble with that speed is that you're running at the same speed as most HGVs who will go a bit faster down hill & overtake you, and then slow down up hill & you overtake them.
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My Eriba is rock solid stable behind the Freelander at 70 mph+
Write your comments here...I have no doubt it is et but it's against the law! It's all fine until the unexpected happens - as Nav very sucinctly points out.!
I'm sure that eurotraveller missed out .... 'when in France' from his/her post
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Indeed...and it's against the law in France too, though the gendarmerie remain unperturbed they sail by me....whoosh, whoosh on their two big bikes.'
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... but just recently my new trick is to set the CC at 56mph on motorways and have a easy and in most cases, just as quick a journey! ....
The trouble with that speed is that you're running at the same speed as most HGVs who will go a bit faster down hill & overtake you, and then slow down up hill & you overtake them.
Write your comments here...all I can say is it works for me MM.
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... but just recently my new trick is to set the CC at 56mph on motorways and have a easy and in most cases, just as quick a journey! ....
The trouble with that speed is that you're running at the same speed as most HGVs who will go a bit faster down hill & overtake you, and then slow down up hill & you overtake them.
Write your comments here...all I can say is it works for me MM.
I didn't say it was wrong, infact I'll travel at that kind of speed too on a Sunday when there are fewer HGVs on the road. I just prefer to travel that bit faster than them otherwise they tend to box you in especially when they
think they can overtake you on uphill sections and then find that they can't.0 -
Brian .... do you say the same when travelling solo at an indicated 70mph? Loads of cars would be going somewhat faster .... legally or not
MM I don't think that. I'm talking about the safety on the road with a ton and more of caravan on the back
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Frankly all these arguements are stupid and irresponsible!
The National speed limit for towing a caravan on whatever road you are using is 60 MPH unless a lower limit applies!
Do you not understand? 60MPH is the legal limit. End of story!
To exceed the limit is a criminal offence and the endorsement that you will receive is well earned.
TF
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