Towing on narrow roads

AndyJF
AndyJF Forum Participant Posts: 84

I wondered if people take extra caution when driving on say, narrow country roads which have trees at the side. Is there a danger that the caravan could get damaged by branches? Is it something I need to be wary of? Although I wouldn't want to drive too far out, as the risk of hitting oncoming traffic would definitely be more serious.

 

 

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Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #2

    Certainly drove with extra caution and slowed down, so I had time to stop if it wasn’t possible to move out to avoid a branch or something. If you’ve a roll up awning protruding from the awning rail, particularly watch for anything that might snag it. Our MH is a bit narrower and the awning on the offside but caution is still required. It’s very easy to put scratches or even digs into the coach built sides and windows.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2021 #3
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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #4

    Watch out for the granite boulders buried in our Cornish hedges.

    Another thing to watch is low bridges on narrow roads where, depending on your height, you may need to keep to the centre of the arch. Watch what HGVs and MHs do.

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
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    edited November 2021 #5

    Drive slowly but be polite if you see a pull in stop let any vehicles following you pass and hopefully  they will clear the way, and carry some caravan window scratch remover in the caravan 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #6

    And don’t forget about pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders on rural roads. You need to anticipate for anything, and drive at an appropriate speed. You can check out approach roads on Google Earth etc....

  • watto64
    watto64 Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited November 2021 #7

    agree on use of google earth, especially street view! Dont just trust your sat nav for road suitability

  • PR1
    PR1 Forum Participant Posts: 96
    edited November 2021 #8

    If you are worried about narrow roads and towing just stay away from Devon! 
    You need common sense and courage to drive our roads. Also nerves of steel when the motor homers arrive who will not get within 3 feet of the edge of the road!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2021 #9
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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #10

    Tell me about it, PR1! We met such a vanner the other day and he only had a VW camper😬

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #11

    Well, that's one less caravan on our roads. Good man, David👍🏻

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2021 #12
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  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited November 2021 #13

    Make that 2

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #14

    You’re welcome😂

    Try it? I live here and the roads are my home territory 😎

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #15

    A quick blip of the steering towards them tends to focus their mind into moving over a bit 🙄🙄

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited November 2021 #16

    Not if it’s a 44 ton truck

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #17

    but we were talking motorhomes .....  😉

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited November 2021 #18

    VW camper I think even smaller than a motorhome

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #19

    Not with this guy. He had no idea of the width of his van or that he still had at least 2’ between him and the hedge. He had his wheels turned thus adding to his width and had no clue how to reverse. It was a pitiful display😟

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #20

    That’s another that might not come back😂 You never know, it might be a cure to SW getting too many visitors....make them take a “dealing with narrow roads and high walls” test before crossing into Devon😂

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #21

    PR11 said .... Also nerves of steel when the motor homers arrive who will not get within 3 feet of the edge of the road! 

    🙄 the VW camper came later ...

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited November 2021 #22

    All the same I bet you wouldn’t do it if it was a 44 ton truck. 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2021 #23

    It's not just Campervans and motorhomes that can't gauge the width of their vehicle. Many car drivers are the same. You don't have to go to Devon and Cornwall for the experience. Just drive down any narrow road or one with parked vehicles.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited November 2021 #24

    From my NIMBY perspective those little lanes with a green strip up the middle are a local asset - keeps the crowds and developers under control. Even better with a steep gradient.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited November 2021 #25

    Width restrictions seem widely ignored by many SUV drivers who don’t realise they’ve purchased a monster until they get off the North Circular.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #26

    You been checking out where I live, William?

  • Briang
    Briang Club Member Posts: 670 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #27

    The trouble with motorhomes on narrow roads is the mirrors that stick out way to far and they never think about pulling them in.yell

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #28

    Tell me about it!

    Make/female/old/young  I matters not. Smallest of vehicles or the biggest of them them. Any width road parked vehicles or none.....

    ABSOLUTELY no idea of their width.....

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #29

    We have very unforgiving rocky lanes where we live, towering above us in some places. You learn to remember the passing places and field entrances. We were once on a trip to a "tricky" CL when a new arrival appeared with a caravan. He'd met an imoveable farm tractor and animal trailer. He had to open a field gate and reverse the van up an incline into the field. With motorhomes you have to be aware of height too, overhanging branches are waiting to get you. 

    But I'm sure it's worth it if you can get through unscathed. If you don't want the odd scratch stick to A roads. Or go somewhere flat and open so you can see what's coming! wink

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #30

    Oh, I do but the guy in the VW didn't 😤

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited November 2021 #31

    You might be my neighbour? Single track, 20ft banks, 20% gradient, sharp bend, no passing place, green slime up the middle, also doubles as the course of a local spring. Perfect for the local kids to skateboard! Has a big sign at the top saying not suitable for HGV & caravans, but guess what….?