Information Source - Road Gradients
We've been back caravanning for just over 2 years now and in that time, we've had a lovely lightweight Lunar Quasar 462 to today's Lunar Delta TI.
I've now towed just over 1,000 miles in that time and of course I'm still a newbie learning all the time. This trip out involved a trip up and down 14% inclines with tight beds in places. I did approach with trepidation and with a lot of common sense and I'm delighted to say all was OK.
My question to you all, is there a information source on routes that shows the sorts of gradients you are likely to encounter?
Comments
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I think Ordnance Survey maps still use the arrows, they are full of details, and a great first resource for route planning. Once you know a preferred route, then perhaps using on online search for gradients will help after that? If you are good at map reading (proper map reading) then contour lines are a good indication of how roads go up and down. I suspect Google maps will help as well.
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Thanks Chaps.
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Just looking at some steep hills by us they are shown on O S Mapping (Use Bing Maps) as single or double arrows for their steepness but no obvious clue to gradient on Google maps......
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And here in Yorkshire as well! Our first little camper died going up Porlock Hill many years ago, luckily we tucked into side, waited for radiator to cool down, emptied cab of steam, and set off ok again......great fun! The first of many incidents, but we did love that little camper van!
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I'm quite keen to find out what the A303 is like. I have a feeling there is somewhere after Yeovil and before Exeter that is quite steep.
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If you look at Streetmap.co.uk & use the little bars at the side it will give you Ordnance Survey style map so you can see the gradients. On the A303 you’re probably thinking of the Blackdown Hills area after Ilminster Roundabout & onwards towards dual carriageway at Honiton area. I think there is only a very short stretch of dual carriageway on that stretch. Wouldn’t venture off the A roads though when towing unless you are going to the club site in that area then follow club’s instructions in book.
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We used to do the A303 quite regular with our caravan, from Wincanton to Exeter. I think it skirts the Blackdown Hills, but don't recall any problems at all. Haldon Hill up from the end of the M5 on the A38 is quite steep, long drag to the top, but not a problem as dual carriageway. Exeter Racecourse Site is at the top, a well used Caravan route.
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The A303 has a couple steepish climbs between the Ilminster roundabout and the A30 Chard junction as it passes through the Blackdowwn Hills. There are also some dualled sections. It's a well used route and passes by the access to the Club "Ilminster" site. You'll then be on the A30 past Honiton and it is dual carriageway all the way to Exeter with good laybys.
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Like others, I use a good road atlas. My AA Ultra Scale map shows steep gradients and very steep gradients, minor roads more than 4m wide and less than 4m, and crucially, helps me discover the sharp bends that will slow progress up or down a steep hill.
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Remember that it is not whether you can get up a steep hill by taking a run at it that matters. It is being able to get going from a complete stop on the steepest part, and that may well be a hairpin bend.
Not all modern cars have enough torque at low engine speed, or low enough first gear, to be able to do this. Unfortunately, there is no way available to the public to test this out in real life, so one has to rely on manufacturers published figures, which may be "rather optimistic".
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The part of the A303 which Catherine was concerned about does have a couple of steep inclines with a sharp bend at one point. You might find lorries and farm vehicles holding you up. With care it is OK. Cylcle route planners are a good way of finding out about gradients too.
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I use that route on the A303 often, and can't call any of those hills steep! None of them should cause any concern to a rig in good order etc.
The only hill on that route that may cause any concern to marginally powered units is Telegraph Hill the Plymouth side of Exeter. It's never caused me any problem, but it could cause some overheating if a lower powered unit gets caught or stuck behind a slow moving HGV.
TF
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I was sitting in a cafe when I typed my previous post. Catherine, if you look at Google maps you can pinpoint the two hills I mentioned. The first is Ham Hill (not the country park of the same name!) and then following on as you drive past the Eagle Tavern is the hill with the steep bend. After that it's mostly down hill to Honiton.
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Guys you have been absolutely brilliant. I will look at everything you've suggested.
The 14% inclines on the Fosse were certainly very interesting and our Audi Q3 did very well. The Delta wasn't fully loaded, but nethertheless it's still a heavy beast and the DSG box selected 3rd and sat quite happily at 40 mph. On the way up we followed a Mk2 Discovery towing a single axle Bailey and that was belching black smoke out big time.
If anything it was the downhills I was more concerned about but again I found the car automatically braking with the engine, dropping itself from 6th to 4th.
I'm looking at taking us down to Damage Barton and we would be travelling from Melksham in Wiltshire. I was thinking of the A303 but of course we could go M4/M5.
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