RE: Caravan Club Splashes Out
Discussion
quote:
There is *nothing* better than waking up looking over a clean, beautiful beach in Scotland on a sunny morning, with noone else for 10 miles in any direction...and you still have a fridge, oven and decent roof (very important in Scotland!)
Yes there is.... it's seeing some twat with a caravan with a puncture, it's usually raining, it's usually the Summer and usually I am on my way to an airport and a plane taking me to guaranteed sunshine, cheap beer and good food. Take your caravan to Glasgow, it's lovely this time of year
anerd
very funny!! Couple of points:
> There's no way that it's physically possible to
> drive at a sensible speed with a caravan on your
> arse, so whether you've got a Maxi or a 206 or a
> LandCruiser, YOU ARE STILL IN THE WAY !!!!
That's simply not accurate. If you have a decently powered towcar and a stable rig (with some sort of hitch stabiliser) then you will be travelling at the same speed as the rest of the traffic on the roads. If, by some fluke, you find yourself on an open road with someone in a fast car behind, obviously in a hurry, you pull over and let him past...Mr. and Mrs Jones in their well polished 25 year old Allegro won't afford you that courtesy, that's for sure
> Anyone who drives a trailer (over a certain
> size)/caravan should have a seperate test. Loading
> and manovering seems a problem for most of them. I
> drive a lot for work and speak as I see.
I agree. Sadly most caravanners do seem to have problems with their rig and I agree that this is not safe. They should be burnt at the stake.
I was taught by my Dad, (ex HGV) and I *can* manoveur my 'van, but I do feel in the minority sometimes...
> There's no way that it's physically possible to
> drive at a sensible speed with a caravan on your
> arse, so whether you've got a Maxi or a 206 or a
> LandCruiser, YOU ARE STILL IN THE WAY !!!!
That's simply not accurate. If you have a decently powered towcar and a stable rig (with some sort of hitch stabiliser) then you will be travelling at the same speed as the rest of the traffic on the roads. If, by some fluke, you find yourself on an open road with someone in a fast car behind, obviously in a hurry, you pull over and let him past...Mr. and Mrs Jones in their well polished 25 year old Allegro won't afford you that courtesy, that's for sure
> Anyone who drives a trailer (over a certain
> size)/caravan should have a seperate test. Loading
> and manovering seems a problem for most of them. I
> drive a lot for work and speak as I see.
I agree. Sadly most caravanners do seem to have problems with their rig and I agree that this is not safe. They should be burnt at the stake.
I was taught by my Dad, (ex HGV) and I *can* manoveur my 'van, but I do feel in the minority sometimes...
quote:
BTW, when I get to my chosen site, I can unhitch the 'van and enjoy some spectacular driving in the 206...IMHO the best handling small hatch in the UK)
No argument about the car nerdy
just get rid of the gyppo wagon behind it and you will soon start to become normal again. It's all part of the therapy and soon you will discover women 
, beer 
and all the fun things in life. I can see your chat up line now:-
nerdy- "fancy a spin in my 206 GTi love?" 
bird- "what the 
is that behind it? you're not a gypsy are you?" More info on this here:
www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dl_towing_trailers.htm
The upshot seens to be that if you passed your test after Jan '97 you'll need to do a cut down version of the HGV test, focusing on manouvers, coupling, uncoupling etc. before you can tow a 'van.
Seems a shame that they didn't make it retrospective...it might have improved both the skill of the towing public and their perception by others
www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dl_towing_trailers.htm
The upshot seens to be that if you passed your test after Jan '97 you'll need to do a cut down version of the HGV test, focusing on manouvers, coupling, uncoupling etc. before you can tow a 'van.
Seems a shame that they didn't make it retrospective...it might have improved both the skill of the towing public and their perception by others
The biggest problem with caravans is two of em. The b@st@rds get behind each other and will NOT seperate to allow cars past inbetween. I have seen this SO many times. Lorries and other slow moving vehicles give cars space, not caravans quotes like "they have right to use the road as much as you do" get mentioned by caravan fans BUT not the right to hold everybody else up.
The other rant part is that they believe they are seeing the countryside (but they must have their TV's fridges etc.) What a cop out, almost like people that eat meat but daren't admit its a dead animal. Camping/backpacking is the only way to REALLY see the countryside. A B&B is cheaper, easier and more convenient than a caravan. If you're that keen on living in a shed then rent a static one!
The other rant part is that they believe they are seeing the countryside (but they must have their TV's fridges etc.) What a cop out, almost like people that eat meat but daren't admit its a dead animal. Camping/backpacking is the only way to REALLY see the countryside. A B&B is cheaper, easier and more convenient than a caravan. If you're that keen on living in a shed then rent a static one!
I too am a sad caravanner. The comments made are typical of the uninformed. I tow a large van with a large tow vehicle and can honestly say no one ever gets stuck behind me.The problem as always is education, many times on this site we see the problem is not speeding it is the people who drive badly and we need more training in all ways for drivers of any thing on the road. This applies to caravans, many get one and then fill it with everything they can and then try to tow with an inappropriate car which is not up to the job. If they took notice of all the information that is given this would not give a problem to anyone.
What people need to do is too learn tolerance when on the road, as a previous post said with all the fast cars why do you get stuck behind? Does it make that much differance to you. A caravan has a speed limit of 60mph on dual carriage way which is higher than a truck yet little is said about them causing a problem, it is always caravans. No one bats an eyelid when some stupid twat wipes his hot hatch out and cause's a motoway to be closed but if its a caravan, well you get the jist
The point the caravan club is making is that the economy of the caravan industry is huge the exports the jobs etc is far bigger than the none informed appreciate.Caravanners are not criminals yet we are made out to be because we are not conforming to your views.Now if we follow some of the people who have advocated banning caravans will they want to make up the loss to the revenue in increased taxes? I think not. What is much more likly is the goverment will ban performance cars before they will ever ban or discourage caravanners. Have you ever seen the headline of Caravanners racing kills innocent pedestrians, no but sports cars yes. Remember the goverment banned hand guns after one incident yet fast cars kill more.Which is the more likly to get banned? As I said tolerance of the choice of others make a society what it is,If everyone who goes in a caravan used a b&b there would be no room for all of you who choose to use them, so you would go nowhere fast. I also have two Westfields so appreciate the joy of fast driving but my joy is spolit by laws not by a slight inconveniance from the odd caravanner who is badly trained. If society wants a world without choice, so that a few can be blamed for all the woes of the road
then it will get one, but the end result will be no one has choice and you will all suffer.
What people need to do is too learn tolerance when on the road, as a previous post said with all the fast cars why do you get stuck behind? Does it make that much differance to you. A caravan has a speed limit of 60mph on dual carriage way which is higher than a truck yet little is said about them causing a problem, it is always caravans. No one bats an eyelid when some stupid twat wipes his hot hatch out and cause's a motoway to be closed but if its a caravan, well you get the jist
The point the caravan club is making is that the economy of the caravan industry is huge the exports the jobs etc is far bigger than the none informed appreciate.Caravanners are not criminals yet we are made out to be because we are not conforming to your views.Now if we follow some of the people who have advocated banning caravans will they want to make up the loss to the revenue in increased taxes? I think not. What is much more likly is the goverment will ban performance cars before they will ever ban or discourage caravanners. Have you ever seen the headline of Caravanners racing kills innocent pedestrians, no but sports cars yes. Remember the goverment banned hand guns after one incident yet fast cars kill more.Which is the more likly to get banned? As I said tolerance of the choice of others make a society what it is,If everyone who goes in a caravan used a b&b there would be no room for all of you who choose to use them, so you would go nowhere fast. I also have two Westfields so appreciate the joy of fast driving but my joy is spolit by laws not by a slight inconveniance from the odd caravanner who is badly trained. If society wants a world without choice, so that a few can be blamed for all the woes of the road
then it will get one, but the end result will be no one has choice and you will all suffer.
I have driven all over Wales, Midlands and the South West for the last 10-12 years so I encounter caravans a lot. Often they are several miles an hour below their limit (in all this time I have never seen one pull over or slow up on a straight). Loaded incorrectly, sometimes the car looks like it is trying for the moon.
Towed by a car that is obviously to small for the job. From what I see these things come off the drive 2 or 3 times a year, which leaves maintenance a question mark (they should have a simple MOT/service).
Competency of the driver with a trailer, I have seen some awful manoeuvres, drivers who do not have a clue what they are doing, caravans turned over a plenty etc. Oh and down right arrogance.
I have in the past towed a trailer for work, horse box size. It was a 4 wheel trailer, towed with a V8 Land Rover. This was 3 or 4 days of the week so I like to think I know what I am talking about. With the Land Rover it was rare to have a line of cars behind you, more often I was in one behind another caravan(except that time on Porlock hill motoring past a trio of caravans). Also we were very adept at reversing into some very tight spaces.
Your not going to stop caravans (unless President Blair decides its too much fun) but better driving, awareness etc would go a long way to help. As for lorries they can sometimes get up my nose as well but they have to be there (I want stuff from the shops) but caravans are there for the owners pleasure not mine.
Just a bit of a rant from what I have experienced myself.
Towed by a car that is obviously to small for the job. From what I see these things come off the drive 2 or 3 times a year, which leaves maintenance a question mark (they should have a simple MOT/service).
Competency of the driver with a trailer, I have seen some awful manoeuvres, drivers who do not have a clue what they are doing, caravans turned over a plenty etc. Oh and down right arrogance.
I have in the past towed a trailer for work, horse box size. It was a 4 wheel trailer, towed with a V8 Land Rover. This was 3 or 4 days of the week so I like to think I know what I am talking about. With the Land Rover it was rare to have a line of cars behind you, more often I was in one behind another caravan(except that time on Porlock hill
motoring past a trio of caravans). Also we were very adept at reversing into some very tight spaces. Your not going to stop caravans (unless President Blair decides its too much fun) but better driving, awareness etc would go a long way to help. As for lorries they can sometimes get up my nose as well but they have to be there (I want stuff from the shops) but caravans are there for the owners pleasure not mine.
Just a bit of a rant from what I have experienced myself.
Here's the solution;
1. Tax them as motor vehicles
2. Encourage the Caravan Club to use some of their remarkable resources to inform the 800,000 people who use caravans to know what they are doing, addressing all of the issues below - pulling over to let the 150 vehicles behind them go past, not overloading etc
3. Extend the towing test to current drivers. What's the point of additional testing for new drivers? It will be 30 years before most of them even consider a caravan, and we can't wait 30 years for the problem to go away.
Each to his or her own, they shouldn't be banned, but let's hope that they become more considerate over time.
1. Tax them as motor vehicles
2. Encourage the Caravan Club to use some of their remarkable resources to inform the 800,000 people who use caravans to know what they are doing, addressing all of the issues below - pulling over to let the 150 vehicles behind them go past, not overloading etc
3. Extend the towing test to current drivers. What's the point of additional testing for new drivers? It will be 30 years before most of them even consider a caravan, and we can't wait 30 years for the problem to go away.
Each to his or her own, they shouldn't be banned, but let's hope that they become more considerate over time.
quote:
1. Tax them as motor vehicles
Not really sensible if they are only used 3 times a year for recreational use. They *should* be MOTed though...
quote:
2. Encourage the Caravan Club to use some of their remarkable resources to inform the 800,000 people who use caravans to know what they are doing, addressing all of the issues below - pulling over to let the 150 vehicles behind them go past, not overloading etc
Good plan, but as with normal drivers, the only ones who will pay any attention are the ones that are already considerate. The bad drivers (as with solo cars) will say "I know it all. Why are they telling me".
quote:
3. Extend the towing test to current drivers. What's the point of additional testing for new drivers? It will be 30 years before most of them even consider a caravan, and we can't wait 30 years for the problem to go away.
Good plan. The clubs already do various courses.
I think, however, that it would be better to re-test *all* drivers on a regular (i.e. 5 yearly) basis. There are enough shitty drivers (of all vehicles) on the road to justify this.
I'd just like to point out (once again) that there are far more crap, inconsiderate, careless, slow, old drivers out there that *don't* tow caravans than there are those that do.
'em all.
chaps,
I hate caravans as well - but let's not let an ugly thing like hate get in the way. Respect to the speedy 'vanner, atleast he tries to keep out of the way. Anyway, back on topic...
As soon as you ban something just 'cos you don't like it, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities -- what will they ban next?
How about;-
Engines over 2 litres
Turbo's
Low slung cars
Bikes
Night driving
Curfew for full license holders
Ok, got it yet? ban caravans, who is next?
Best to support them, rather than not. You never know who's help we will need one day.
Night all.
Carl
I hate caravans as well - but let's not let an ugly thing like hate get in the way. Respect to the speedy 'vanner, atleast he tries to keep out of the way. Anyway, back on topic...
As soon as you ban something just 'cos you don't like it, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities -- what will they ban next?
How about;-
Engines over 2 litres
Turbo's
Low slung cars
Bikes
Night driving
Curfew for full license holders
Ok, got it yet? ban caravans, who is next?
Best to support them, rather than not. You never know who's help we will need one day.
Night all.
Carl
I must say caravans are not really that big problem. What causes the frustration is the non drivers behind them who think they are in the olympic Queueing event. After a while they get all stroppy about being overtaken and you have to force your way in. If the traffic stops of course you get the opportunity to get out and have a little word with them.
If caravans pay their road tax, use a proper car and are considerate then we would all get fine.
If caravans pay their road tax, use a proper car and are considerate then we would all get fine.
Way to go Raceboy, beats a tent anyday!!!! -can't say I'm into caravans, but have had a motorhome for a couple of years. Had delightful weekends at Goodwood Festival and Revival.
It's freedom, my friends.
If a queue does form behind me, I'll pull over at the first oppurtunity, or wave somebody past, although I'm afraid the art of overtaking in England appears to have been lost!!!!!!!
Don't knock it til you've tried it.
It's freedom, my friends.
If a queue does form behind me, I'll pull over at the first oppurtunity, or wave somebody past, although I'm afraid the art of overtaking in England appears to have been lost!!!!!!!
Don't knock it til you've tried it.
Don't worry guys, EC legislation is in the pipeline to do the following (within the next 3 years)
a) individual registration of all trailers (i.e. road tax and individual reg. number)
b) all non commercial trailers to be double taxed (as will RVs)
c) all non-commercial trailers banned from motorways and main roads except between 22°° and 06°°
d) all trailerdrivers must pass a separate test equivalent to HGV
e) all trailers must be MOT'd yearly
f) a minimum power requirement for all towing vehicles
g) all trailers to be individually insured
So bye-bye caravan club and no more 1100ccs pulling 5 tonnes!
a) individual registration of all trailers (i.e. road tax and individual reg. number)
b) all non commercial trailers to be double taxed (as will RVs)
c) all non-commercial trailers banned from motorways and main roads except between 22°° and 06°°
d) all trailerdrivers must pass a separate test equivalent to HGV
e) all trailers must be MOT'd yearly
f) a minimum power requirement for all towing vehicles
g) all trailers to be individually insured
So bye-bye caravan club and no more 1100ccs pulling 5 tonnes!
Dug this old link out.
Dont want to start a war though
www.shedpullers.com/index_old1.htm
Regards
Big rumbly
quote:
Don't worry guys, EC legislation is in the pipeline to do the following (within the next 3 years)
a) individual registration of all trailers (i.e. road tax and individual reg. number)
b) all non commercial trailers to be double taxed (as will RVs)
c) all non-commercial trailers banned from motorways and main roads except between 22°° and 06°°
d) all trailerdrivers must pass a separate test equivalent to HGV
e) all trailers must be MOT'd yearly
f) a minimum power requirement for all towing vehicles
g) all trailers to be individually insured
So bye-bye caravan club and no more 1100ccs pulling 5 tonnes!
Can you tell us where your source for this info is? These rules seem a little Draconian. No, I'm not a caravanner but my diving club needs to tow boats to dive sites (and they are all really considerate on the road
)Ok, I've heard your points of view about waking up in the middle of nowhere in your plastic shed. But you are young guy's, what's wrong with you? For that kind of money for the shed / shitbox, you could be enjoying thrilling driving in a tvr, or similar. Your only young once, you can do that sad shite when your old. Live a little! Treat your girlfiend to a decent hotel and sportscar. I'm sure she won't miss the gippo lifestyle.
When you were little boys did you end up playing with toy trailers and leave the sportscars in the toy box?
When you were little boys did you end up playing with toy trailers and leave the sportscars in the toy box?
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff