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Could anyone tell me the speed limits in France when towing . I have read somewhere that the limit is lower if the combined weight is over 3.5t , is this correct ? . I drive a Volvo S60 towing a Pennine Pathfinder folding camper that if my calculations are correct weighs less than 3.5t so can i travel at the normal limit ? . Going for first time in August and want to be clear on this before i go . Many thanks .

Steve

The speed limits in France are the same as those for a solo car unless you outfit is over the 3.5t weight limit. just do the speed that you and your outfit feel comfortable at. Have a great trip. You will love camping in France.

Carol

Have a great holiday - you'll find campsites in France are better than in England, towing is easier, and traffic is less!!  That's why we all go, and keep going back!

As said in the previous post there is no different speed like in the UK. Do watch for reduced limits when towing though when going down hill. The sign is obvious. Speed limits for towns start as you enter the town, by the name board and generally finish when you leave it.

harryb 

were  travelling through france soon, and ive seen a certain dandy towed at 99mph,

will that be ok.........pmsl

Not if you want somewhere to sleep when you get there.

harryb

Just a thought though...if its not safe in the UK to do more than 60 , is it in France?

I had this discussion with a friend of mine recently and he suggested that the tyres on the campers are smaller and as such may not be made to go too fast.  

  I drive a 4x4 and tow a 1500kg caravan and therefore come onto the Over 3.5t category. This web site http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm which has been referred to by others state that when the cobined gross weight is over 3.5t the speed limits in France are as follows:-

Motorways - 110 km/h

Dual Carriageways - 100 km/h

Open Road -   50 km/h   (30 mph!!!)

Towns - 50 km/h

   I have emailed them to query this - it cannot be right can it?? Reassuringly a French website states that the limits for the plus 3.5t combination are

"La vitesse des véhicules dont le poids total autorisé en charge est supérieur à 3,5 tonnes ou des ensembles de véhicules dont le poids total roulant autorisé est supérieur à 3,5 tonnes à l'exception des véhicules de transport en commun, est limitée à :
   1º 90 km/h sur les autoroutes ;
   2º 80 km/h sur les routes à caractère prioritaire et signalées comme telles. Toutefois, cette vitesse maximale est relevée à 90 km/h pour les véhicules dont le poids total est inférieur ou égal à 12 tonnes sur les routes à deux chaussées séparées par un terre-plein central ;
   3º 80 km/h sur les autres routes. Toutefois, cette vitesse maximale est abaissée à 60 km/h pour les véhicules articulés ou avec remorque dont le poids total est supérieur à 12 tonnes.
   4º 50 km/h en agglomération. Toutefois, cette vitesse maximale est relevée à 80 km/h sur le boulevard périphérique de Paris."

  This shows lower figures for motorways  and dual carriageways (90 km/h), the same for towns (50kg/h) but a much better figure for other roads (80 km/h). What do other heavy unit drivers work to?

Quote: Originally posted by Graeme Simpson on 23/7/2007

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Just a thought though...if its not safe in the UK to do more than 60 , is it in France?

I had this discussion with a friend of mine recently and he suggested that the tyres on the campers are smaller and as such may not be made to go too fast.  

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Or to turn that on its head if it is safe to drive at 80 mph in France (130 km) with a trailer under 3.5 tonnes then why do they deem it not safe in the UK ?? 

 

  As I am travelling to France next week, I have looked at numerous web site and read various publications. Many of these are contradictory. Yesterday I phoned the Caravan Club to try to get definitive advice. However the lady that I spoke to also had two guides which gave different speed limits!  The advice that we settled on though through legal and coomon sense considerations is as follows:

Speed Advice for car and caravan (whether under or over 35000 kg :-

Towns - 30 mph

Single Carriageway Roads - 50 mph

Dual Carriageways - 60 mph

Motorways - 60 mph

 Unless road signs dictate a lower speed. In other words keep to UK speed limits!

It is correct that vehicles with a GTW in excess of 3500 Kg are liimited to a maximum speed of 110 KPH.  Please also note this limit applies if the vehicle or trailer exceeds 2 M in height excluding roof bars etc.

Regards Bob

Quote: Originally posted by Mountain Runner on 29/8/2007

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Are we allowed to use the outside lane of a 3 lane motorway if towing in France? This law often frustrates me in GB.

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Given that most motorways in France are 2 lanes this is not a problem I have encountered.

The problem is certainly a lot worse in the UK with the middle lane hoggers !

Quote: Originally posted by callam9774 on 27/8/2007

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  I drive a 4x4 and tow a 1500kg caravan and therefore come onto the Over 3.5t category. This web site http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm which has been referred to by others state that when the cobined gross weight is over 3.5t the speed limits in France are as follows:-

Motorways - 110 km/h

Dual Carriageways - 100 km/h

Open Road -   50 km/h   (30 mph!!!)

Towns - 50 km/h

   I have emailed them to query this - it cannot be right can it?? Reassuringly a French website states that the limits for the plus 3.5t combination are

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