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Subject Topic: SPEEDING while towing STOP IT
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PersonBob61
05/5/2014 at 1:15pm
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I use the A34 and the A303 very regularly. These are two of the main routes to the south and south west so I see a lot of caravans being towed. Most people are towing properly with what appears to be well matched and set up units but there are a very high proportion who drive dangerously, either excessive speed and/or with units and cars which are clearly unmatched or set up wrongly. In most cases you can see that the caravan is not behaving itself, weaving or bumping about and how the drivers aren't aware beats me...or perhaps they just don't care.

When I had a caravan, although I hated towing, I found sticking to the speed limits so much more relaxing than belting around everywhere at 70 mph. I had time to see more of everything around me (save for the shed on the back) and had much more time to respond to tricky situations, and I arrived at destinations so much more relaxed and stress free.

The OP has given fair and accurate warning...disregard it at your peril (and the peril of others as well).


Personphilz55
05/5/2014 at 2:40pm
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The A55 is littered with speed cameras hence the compliance.


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Personmichell8
05/5/2014 at 2:42pm
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I think its mostly that modern diesel cars have so much power & torque drivers don't really watch their speeds because they hardly notice the caravan behind them.

Post last edited on 05/05/2014 17:15:24


Personalpiner
05/5/2014 at 2:56pm
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When looking at the death rate percentage for other countries you must also look at car ownership.
Bosnia has 214 cars per 1000 people
France has 578 per 1000
UK has 519 per 1000
So the rate for Bosnia is very very high considering there is a lot less cars on the road per 1000 people
I would agree with Michell8 and modern diesel cars but I think its mostly the nut that holds the steering wheel that can be a bit loose??

Post last edited on 05/05/2014 15:03:31

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Personbrianconwy
05/5/2014 at 3:19pm
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Quote: Originally posted by barryorton on 05/5/2014

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate


According to this Iceland has a similar figure to the UK and their maximum speed limit is 56MPH. There are plenty of anomalies in correlation between maximum speed limit and road death rates.

In both the UK and France only about 6% of road deaths occur on motorways, so the difference between a 70MPH and 81MPH motorway limit cannot even begin to explain the difference in the number of road deaths.


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Personbrianconwy
05/5/2014 at 3:22pm
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Quote: Originally posted by philz55 on 05/5/2014
The A55 is littered with speed cameras hence the compliance.


As far as I know there are no fixed speed cameras and as there is no compliance in adhering to the speed limit by other vehicles then I don't think speed cameras are a factor.

In contrast on the M4 near Newport I found more motorists obeying the speed limit and this may be down to the speed cameras there.


PersonOnewheelonmywagon
05/5/2014 at 4:27pm
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When considering the 80+ mph speed limit on French motorways you need to take into account that the French tend to use flat smooth tarmac, not the lumpy stuff with holes and ruts in it that we use in the UK.


PersonAldoscott
05/5/2014 at 4:41pm
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I agree. I was overtaken today by a fellow caravanner. I was doing 58mph and within minutes the guy had disappeared out of sight.


Persongailbonney
05/5/2014 at 4:46pm
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Not quite about motorways but I was driving through town today when a car +van decided to pull out of a left junction in front of me. He was turning right so went across me. I wasn't towing..if I had been I wouldn't have stopped in time. I was driving the disco though so he must have seen it...I was only doing 30 and had to stand on the brakes. He just smiled as he sailed past me. There wasn't even enough clearance for car on its own let alone with 'van in tow!

Quickened my heartrate I can tell you

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Personoxter
05/5/2014 at 4:47pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Sproz on 05/5/2014I don't tow above 60mph, although it may creep to 65 without realising, however in france I could tow my unit at 80mph legally if I wanted to, so why is it not considered so dangerous over there?


I think you should check again for the current speed limits for a Mondeo estate while towing.
I might be wrong but I think for you it is 90 kph on motorway (55mph)and 80 on single carriageway.

The speed of vehicles with a total authorized weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes or combinations of vehicles with a total permitted weight of greater than 3.5 tonnes, except vehicles ' for public transport with paying passengers' is limited to:

1 90 km / h on motorways;

2 ° 80 km / h on roads with priority and marked as such. However, the maximum speed is increased to 90 km / h for vehicles whose total weight is less than or equal to 12 tons on dual carriageways;

3 ° 80 km / h on other roads. However, the maximum speed is reduced to 60 km / h for an articulated vehicle or trailer with a total weight of 12 tonnes.

4 ° 50 km / h in urban areas. However, the maximum speed is increased to 80 km / h on the Paris ring road.

I think your GTW (the max authorised by the manufacturer) will be over 3.5 tonnes. It does not matter how heavy your van is - it could be a 3cwt camping trailer but in France the lower limit applies.

Post last edited on 05/05/2014 17:00:15

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Personbrianconwy
05/5/2014 at 5:16pm
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Also some speed limits in France change when its raining.


PersonFrancais
05/5/2014 at 7:02pm
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Yep in perfect weather conditions on our way to the South of France in July, I set the Cruise Control on my icle VW Golf to 81mph and watch the miles roll by, our Half Ton 1.7m high Trailer is steady as a rock on those French autoroutes.

Having said that plenty of folk whiz by us, towing anything from a Caravan to a Catamaran.

From what I am aware if your vehicle is rated under 3500kg then 130kph is fine.

Bizarre how if a Range Rover was towing my Trailer the max speed would be 56mph! on those French autoroutes.


PersonWilkolad
05/5/2014 at 7:15pm
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Coming back today, we watched aghast as an outfit overtaking a lorry started to bounce around on the Taunton section of the M5.

He snaked halfway across the outside lane narrowly missing a car but fortunately recovered after about 10 seconds which must have seemed like a lifetime.

Any time gained was lost as he pulled into the next services - most likely to clean himself up.


PersonBob61
05/5/2014 at 7:20pm
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I think I will stick to the UK...sounds like you need a degree in mathematics to work out how fast you can drive in France


Personoxter
05/5/2014 at 8:23pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 05/5/2014
Yep in perfect weather conditions on our way to the South of France in July, I set the Cruise Control on my icle VW Golf to 81mph and watch the miles roll by, our Half Ton 1.7m high Trailer is steady as a rock on those French autoroutes.

Having said that plenty of folk whiz by us, towing anything from a Caravan to a Catamaran.

From what I am aware if your vehicle is rated under 3500kg then 130kph is fine.

Bizarre how if a Range Rover was towing my Trailer the max speed would be 56mph! on those French autoroutes.



Just as well it's icle Francais. The 2L diesel estate comes within the French restrictions.


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PersonFrancais
05/5/2014 at 8:33pm
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Yep oxter, I drive a firms 12 plate VW Golf 1.6 TDi BlueMotion 5 Door Hatch, even at those speeds towing, I still get 48mpg minimum.

Will be adding a RoofBox to the car this year, so will se if that makes much difference.

Happy days!



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