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Subject Topic: Towing on a motorway - advice needed
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PersonHEJC72
31/5/2014 at 9:47pm
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Although I have had my caravan for 3 seasons, I have never towed on a motorway and tend to stay fairly close to home.
I would really love to attend the CC Northern Centres Rally which is being held at Newby Hall, near Ripon in August. This will involve me having to tow my little caravan down the A1 from Scotch Corner, turning off at junction 50 and picking up the A61.

Please can anyone give me some advice on towing on a motorway.
My biggest worry is the drag from passing lorries as I have heard this can cause a caravan to sway a bit.
Not sure if this is relevant but my caravan has a maximum towing speed sticker of 50mph on it.

In case anyone doesn't know, I have a 1969 Fisher Holivan (MTPLM 585kg) which is towed by my 1275cc classic Mini.
Thanks in advance for any helpful tips, advice or comments.

-------------
Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum


PersonBob61
31/5/2014 at 10:23pm
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The maximum speed you can legally do on a motorway or dual carriageway while towing is 60mph. The maximum speed on any other road is 50mph. The sticker is irrelevant really.

Also, when towing you must not use the outside lane on a motorway.

Providing you stick to the speed limits you shouldn't have a problem towing on a motorway. Most accidents are caused by speeding when the caravan suddenly becomes unstable.

I don't now have a caravan but I can't recall any problems with lorries overtaking when I had one. They are unlikely to be travelling much faster than 60mph themselves so you certainly won't get buffeted by them.

Hope that helps a little and I am sure others will advise you accordingly.


PersonBruneval3
31/5/2014 at 10:40pm
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I am in my first year of having a touring caravan, so I understand your concern.

As said already, as long as you tow at the correct speed and load the caravan correctly you have nothing to worry about. Get out and enjoy, it's addictive.


PersonDavid Klyne
31/5/2014 at 11:02pm
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What is even more important towing on motorways where faster speeds are possible is to make sure the loading, noseweight, tyre pressures are as they should be. For your first motorway tow why not just stay in the inside lane and travel at the speed of the wagons which might be more confidence building than trying to overtake.

David


Personmillermicm
01/6/2014 at 7:40am
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The speed limit on dual carriageways and motorways is 60 mph. for any caravan (or trailer) unless otherwise indicated on that stretch of road e.g.urban motorways where the limit may be signed at 50mph.

You may not tow in the outside lane of a 3 or more laned road. On a 2 laned road you may.

Be prepared to drive up to the speed limit with a properly loaded caravan and keep up with traffic. The speed limit for large vans and lorries is 60. Most are now limited to this speed so you should no get overtaken often but if you are it's not a problem and you will/should know they are coming.

just get out there & do it. don't worry.

-------------
Steve


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Personmichell8
01/6/2014 at 8:08am
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If you can keep to truck speed around 56mph then just cruise along with the trucks at that speed. You may well slow down on motorway inclines though & trucks will pass you but no reason why that should cause outfit to sway if everything is set up ok.


PersonBob61
01/6/2014 at 11:03am
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Although I didn't like towing as I too used to worry all the time, I actually found driving at slower speeds much more relaxing. I was able to see more of what was going on around me rather than just being glued to the road in front. I found I automatically relaxed on motorways more than other roads, knowing that I didn't have to belt along to keep up with traffic or overtake the vehicle in front, and if anyone was behind me it was up to them to get past if and when they could as I had a legal speed limit to stick to.

As far as towing with a mini is concerned I have no idea what the weight limits would be. I am sure somebody else will though.


PersonAL53HX
01/6/2014 at 12:18pm
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LGVs are limited to 54mph and although you do get the odd faster ones(Irish/Foreign)they aren't likely to cause you a problem,just remember that when they hit an incline they do tend to slow down and then speed up on the way down,I have found that the white/coloured vans cause more problems (but I am biased as an ex trucker)then lorries,they pass at 80/90 and they do create quite a bit of turbulence,having said that they are past very quickly so again,not a great problem,just keep aware,motorways are like wider dual carriageways,so just forget about the third lane


PersonGrampian91
01/6/2014 at 1:03pm
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As you see a large vehicle approaching lift off slightly. As its about to pass the caravan. Accelerate very very gently.

The outfit will be more stable as you accelerate, Your actually pulling it. But its a fine line. You dont want to accelerate and cause the overtaking vehicle to be there for any longer than is essential.

Higher noseweights also help. But dont exceed the limits for towbar, Caravan or car.


Personlisterdiesel
01/6/2014 at 3:08pm
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We used to get the 'bow wave' effect of trucks passing us when we had the Mk1 Astra Estate and Sprite Alpine. Easiest thing to do was to look ahead, see if the hard shoulder was clear and if so just ease to the left a bit to leave a bit more room on your offside.

Now when I pass a caravan outfit when I have the large trailer behind, I pull out to my right a bit automatically to give them more road space.

Peter


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Personalpiner
01/6/2014 at 4:03pm
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All the above and would add that motorways are safer than A roads.
try not to drive to slow or you will have lorries overtaking you all the time, as above keep up with the flow of traffic

-------------
alpiner


PersonJax365
02/6/2014 at 10:48am
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Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 31/5/2014What is even more important towing on motorways where faster speeds are possible is to make sure the loading, noseweight, tyre pressures are as they should be. For your first motorway tow why not just stay in the inside lane and travel at the speed of the wagons which might be more confidence building than trying to overtake.

David


This is what I did the first time I towed on a motorway. It's so much easier than the A roads!! Just tuck yourself into the left-hand lane and take it easy, keep up with the lorries and you won't get many overtaking you anyway.

For an even easier drive, go and come back on Sundays if you can, there isn't half the amount of lorries on the road.

-------------


PersonSkoda Bob
02/6/2014 at 11:45am
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You will find also that your speedo maybe out slightly so if it shows 55 mph you're probably doing 50, even with a new car the speedo is out but a satnav will give you the actual speed you're doing
If the HGVs are passing you all the time increase your speed to keep up with them so they cannot pass


PersonHEJC72
02/6/2014 at 2:04pm
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Thank you all for the advice and helpful information.
I know my speedo isn't very accurate (it reads slower than I am actually driving) so I will be guided by the speed on the sat nav.
I am sure I will be fine as I happily tow on A and B roads.
I think it is just that initial thought of how small my car and van are compared to the big wagons (and most other vehicles!) on the motorways!!
Plus, I don't want to cause a nuisance by being nervous and towing too slowly!!

-------------
Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum


Personbexamy
02/6/2014 at 2:11pm
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More importantly watch your speed when going down hill, that's when the accidents happen. If your that worried travel early hours of morning say 2,3 o'clock and take breaks when traffic heavy.



PersonBob61
02/6/2014 at 5:56pm
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Quote: Originally posted by HEJC72 on 02/6/2014
Thank you all for the advice and helpful information.
I know my speedo isn't very accurate (it reads slower than I am actually driving) so I will be guided by the speed on the sat nav.
I am sure I will be fine as I happily tow on A and B roads.
I think it is just that initial thought of how small my car and van are compared to the big wagons (and most other vehicles!) on the motorways!!
Plus, I don't want to cause a nuisance by being nervous and towing too slowly!!


Most speedos read slightly higher than you are actually going, however, just remember that there is no minimum speed limit, only a maximum one and if you let other road users dictate your speed that is when accidents happen.



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