Trailer speed limits - same flex as normal cars?
Discussion
As we all know the speed limit on motorways is 70mph, but if you keep it under 80mph you would be be very unlucky to get pulled over.
I've got to tow a trailer (only a little 5 x 3 one) further than I would like later this week, and wondered if there is the same flexibility with speed limits - i.e. will I get ignored if I keep it under 70mph? Or is it the case that as there are thousands of cars going 80mph the police sort of have to ignore them, but trailers are rare enough for them to be interested?
Trailer is freshly serviced (i.e.the bearings are greased) and has brand new tyres btw.
Never towed before apart from to collect the trailer, so any advice appreciated.
Cheers.
I've got to tow a trailer (only a little 5 x 3 one) further than I would like later this week, and wondered if there is the same flexibility with speed limits - i.e. will I get ignored if I keep it under 70mph? Or is it the case that as there are thousands of cars going 80mph the police sort of have to ignore them, but trailers are rare enough for them to be interested?
Trailer is freshly serviced (i.e.the bearings are greased) and has brand new tyres btw.
Never towed before apart from to collect the trailer, so any advice appreciated.
Cheers.
barker22 said:
Also remember no outside lane either, 3 points for that also.
We have restricted vans at work and we tow at 70mph when traffic is flowing, although if you see a camera van, don't risk it. You can knock 5mph sharpish just by lifting off
Thanks - I've just been reading the rules today as I've never towed and it's, erm, quite a while since I passed my test ergo a long time since I read the Highway Code.We have restricted vans at work and we tow at 70mph when traffic is flowing, although if you see a camera van, don't risk it. You can knock 5mph sharpish just by lifting off
It's a 350 mile journey so if I can average 45 instead of 40, for example, I'll save over an hour.
Ki3r said:
Sorry - initial post isn't that clear - I meant speed limit is 70mph solo. Trailer is 60mph on motorway / dual carriageway, 50 on single carriageway. And no outside lane, as mentioned.barker22 said:
Also remember no outside lane either, 3 points for that also.
We have restricted vans at work and we tow at 70mph when traffic is flowing, although if you see a camera van, don't risk it. You can knock 5mph sharpish just by lifting off
We seem to be the only people who know that on the m5 the other weekend was doing more than 70 and I was passed but a disco 3/4 towing a boat who was trying to go 100mph in 3rd lane he was driving as if it was normal to do, them he moved back to lane 2 and nearly wiped out a car forgetting he had a bloody great boat on the back. When I gave them funny looks the woman in the passenger seat was surprise?!?! We have restricted vans at work and we tow at 70mph when traffic is flowing, although if you see a camera van, don't risk it. You can knock 5mph sharpish just by lifting off
After that a Q3 towing a jetski doing the same all trying to go 90-100mph in lane 3.
Does driving one of these cars lower your iq?
jbsportstech said:
We seem to be the only people who know that on the m5 the other weekend was doing more than 70 and I was passed but a disco 3/4 towing a boat who was trying to go 100mph in 3rd lane he was driving as if it was normal to do, them he moved back to lane 2 and nearly wiped out a car forgetting he had a bloody great boat on the back. When I gave them funny looks the woman in the passenger seat was surprise?!?!
After that a Q3 towing a jetski doing the same all trying to go 90-100mph in lane 3.
Does driving one of these cars lower your iq?
No, you just have to be a prize tAfter that a Q3 towing a jetski doing the same all trying to go 90-100mph in lane 3.
Does driving one of these cars lower your iq?
t with no consideration for others before you consider driving one 
I would say you'll be fine at 10 or so over the limit. The trailer is small and light enough that it won't affect the stability of the car at all. As long as you're being fairly sensible I doubt the police will take much notice, that's if you see any at all.
Just stay out of the right lane on motorways, as you know.
If you've a lot of weight on the trailer, and at 5'x3' I doubt it, just stop periodically to check your tyres are happy. A blowout shouldn't cause a massive problem for you (and I've experienced it twice on caravans) but it's a headache to fix on the motorway.
Just stay out of the right lane on motorways, as you know.
If you've a lot of weight on the trailer, and at 5'x3' I doubt it, just stop periodically to check your tyres are happy. A blowout shouldn't cause a massive problem for you (and I've experienced it twice on caravans) but it's a headache to fix on the motorway.
Super Slo Mo said:
I would say you'll be fine at 10 or so over the limit. The trailer is small and light enough that it won't affect the stability of the car at all. As long as you're being fairly sensible I doubt the police will take much notice, that's if you see any at all.
Just stay out of the right lane on motorways, as you know.
If you've a lot of weight on the trailer, and at 5'x3' I doubt it, just stop periodically to check your tyres are happy. A blowout shouldn't cause a massive problem for you (and I've experienced it twice on caravans) but it's a headache to fix on the motorway.
I have some limited towing experience but I did find the little trailers steel frame wooden paneling are very bouncy unless they have a alot of weight in them and your best of going slower if their empty or not much weight in them. Just stay out of the right lane on motorways, as you know.
If you've a lot of weight on the trailer, and at 5'x3' I doubt it, just stop periodically to check your tyres are happy. A blowout shouldn't cause a massive problem for you (and I've experienced it twice on caravans) but it's a headache to fix on the motorway.
Super Slo Mo said:
I would say you'll be fine at 10 or so over the limit. The trailer is small and light enough that it won't affect the stability of the car at all. As long as you're being fairly sensible I doubt the police will take much notice, that's if you see any at all.
A little less than 10 over would be advisable, I got done for 70 on a dual carriageway, I didn't think that fixed cameras could differentiate between a car and a car towing a trailer, I know better now.jbsportstech said:
I have some limited towing experience but I did find the little trailers steel frame wooden paneling are very bouncy unless they have a lot of weight in them and your best of going slower if their empty or not much weight in them.
Bouncy? I've seen one being towed where the trailer was obviously lightly loaded. Hit a bump and the trailer overturned wrecking the rear end of the car. Wouldn't have happened if the trailer had been a wide one, but a wee narrow thing with chuff all in it was asking for trouble.Speed limits are defined for a reason, and if towing a lightly loaded or small trailer, then stick to them.
Corpulent Tosser said:
Super Slo Mo said:
I would say you'll be fine at 10 or so over the limit. The trailer is small and light enough that it won't affect the stability of the car at all. As long as you're being fairly sensible I doubt the police will take much notice, that's if you see any at all.
A little less than 10 over would be advisable, I got done for 70 on a dual carriageway, I didn't think that fixed cameras could differentiate between a car and a car towing a trailer, I know better now.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff