Opinions on overtaking when towing please.
Discussion
OK, I'll admit it, I own a caravan. 
So with my flameproof clothing suitably donned, I'll say this in my defense......
Being a car nut, I do my utmost to ensure that I'm not hindering any other road users. I'll make good progress within a safe envelope and if I have vehicles behind me I'll make as much exception as I can to allow them to pass including pulling over when I can. So there!
So with that in mind, I have regularly caught vehicles travelling at considerably less speed than me on 'A' roads, (say 40 in NSL), and have at times overtaken them with the 'van hitched up. It's a fairly substantial setup, my 'van is a 26' long twin axle effort and is very comfortably hauled along by a 3.0 litre LWB Shogun.
Now while opinions are split on the legalities, I'm pretty sure it's not illegal to overtake within the confines of appropriate speed limits when towing, but what's the general concensus of opinion if you witnessed such an occurrence?
I've been told it's illegal and downright foolhardy to execute such a manoeuvre but providing it's done with plenty of space on a straight road I can't see the problem.
So would you think I was a nutter?
So with my flameproof clothing suitably donned, I'll say this in my defense......
Being a car nut, I do my utmost to ensure that I'm not hindering any other road users. I'll make good progress within a safe envelope and if I have vehicles behind me I'll make as much exception as I can to allow them to pass including pulling over when I can. So there!
So with that in mind, I have regularly caught vehicles travelling at considerably less speed than me on 'A' roads, (say 40 in NSL), and have at times overtaken them with the 'van hitched up. It's a fairly substantial setup, my 'van is a 26' long twin axle effort and is very comfortably hauled along by a 3.0 litre LWB Shogun.
Now while opinions are split on the legalities, I'm pretty sure it's not illegal to overtake within the confines of appropriate speed limits when towing, but what's the general concensus of opinion if you witnessed such an occurrence?
I've been told it's illegal and downright foolhardy to execute such a manoeuvre but providing it's done with plenty of space on a straight road I can't see the problem.
So would you think I was a nutter?
Edited by Big Rod on Monday 12th September 11:12
. Rare anyone helps you, though!Used to tow my parents caravan with a W210 E320 cdi, Caravan was about 18ft, single axle.
One particular journey the rear sidelights packed up on the way back, after rain. Touch and go as to making it back before dark, so back we went.
40mph Sunday dicks on A roads, were surprised to see a Merc, followed by a white elephant sailing past. No real issues, but you need the power, or the straight.
PS I apologise to any PH's who I may have help up with the Mercs predecessor, a 1.8 Laguna. It easily kept up most of the time, but it's nemesis was big hills, with sharp bends. On two occasions, I was reduced to 1st gear, and would not have been overtaking much. In fact, a tractor could have overtaken me. Normal service was soon resumed.
One particular journey the rear sidelights packed up on the way back, after rain. Touch and go as to making it back before dark, so back we went.
40mph Sunday dicks on A roads, were surprised to see a Merc, followed by a white elephant sailing past. No real issues, but you need the power, or the straight.
PS I apologise to any PH's who I may have help up with the Mercs predecessor, a 1.8 Laguna. It easily kept up most of the time, but it's nemesis was big hills, with sharp bends. On two occasions, I was reduced to 1st gear, and would not have been overtaking much. In fact, a tractor could have overtaken me. Normal service was soon resumed.
Edited by davidjpowell on Monday 12th September 11:04
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...
Highway Code said:
160 Once moving you should
...
Implicitly declares no prohibition on overtaking whilst towing - just a reminder to do it safely....
- when towing, remember the extra length will affect overtaking and manoeuvring. The extra weight will also affect the braking and acceleration
doogz said:
I don't think i'd bother, with a rig that size, for that extra 10mph.
Well, there're many times I don't, but it's often worthwhile to take advantage as I've been stuck behind too many people who do things like brake on corners and whatnot which, even when following at a more than safe distance, isn't the most comfortable thing to do with a trailer so I'd rather get past when I can. Also, I'd rather the drivers of the cars behind me know that it's not actually me that's holding them up!! 
And 10 mph can make quite a difference when travelling up the A9 or A82 for instance.
I was dragging my shed up the A9 one time, and came up behind a Prius (!) obviously trying to stay on battery. 35-40 mph on the A9 is rather silly, so as I had a queue forming behind me who probably thought it was me holding them up, I went for the overtake on a long straight. After I had completed my overtake, a large Merc did the same to me, still safely, and I watched the Prius and a queue dwindle into the distance. We were still on a safe overtake section.
Tyson1980 said:
move out
accelerate
move back in
This works but I prefer having a long run up at 'cruising' speed and pass them without adjusting my speed......... Rocket sled on rails baby!! accelerate
move back in
I may have been a little guilty of making the odd vehicle wobble as I passed them doing this though!!
(The mental image, in my head at least, is enhanced by spray kicked up if it's been raining.)
Edited by Big Rod on Monday 12th September 11:21
Just be careful and remember that the speed limit whilst towing on a NSL is 50mph.
I forgot this whilst passing a camera van on the way to the east coast in April and received the subsequent letter for 56mph. Doh!
Upside is I chose the Speed Awareness Course in Sheffield (speeding in Lincolnshire) and it was excellent. Should be made compulsory for ALL drivers every 5-10 years.
I forgot this whilst passing a camera van on the way to the east coast in April and received the subsequent letter for 56mph. Doh!
Upside is I chose the Speed Awareness Course in Sheffield (speeding in Lincolnshire) and it was excellent. Should be made compulsory for ALL drivers every 5-10 years.
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