Towing advice new caravanner
Discussion
The national speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) on motorways, 70 mph (112 km/h) on dual carriageways, 60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageways and generally 30 mph (48 km/h) in areas with street lighting (restricted roads).
When towing however...
When towing, you are restricted to a maximum speed of 50mph on single carriageway roads, and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways, provided no lower limit is in force.
I am aware of the rules but what are they for!
When towing however...
When towing, you are restricted to a maximum speed of 50mph on single carriageway roads, and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways, provided no lower limit is in force.
I am aware of the rules but what are they for!
Im towing with a CRV 2.2 cdti. I came back from Herne Bay lugging a van weighing in 1340kg and realised i needed more horses. The good news is the 2.2 can accept various levels of remapping. Ive got mine lined up for a 20 horse/torque upgrade for £200 at a local tuner. Its needed tbh.
kurt535 said:
Im towing with a CRV 2.2 cdti. I came back from Herne Bay lugging a van weighing in 1340kg and realised i needed more horses. The good news is the 2.2 can accept various levels of remapping. Ive got mine lined up for a 20 horse/torque upgrade for £200 at a local tuner. Its needed tbh.
Mine is the DTec so not sure how it compares Plan your route, do not totally rely on your sat nav, it may take you to places you would rather not be with a caravan.
I use Google Street view to look at the roads that could be narrow, it's reassuring when you come to a town or a village you understand what's ahead,
I went from a mini to a 4x4 plus a 7.2 m caravan it was "interesting"
I use Google Street view to look at the roads that could be narrow, it's reassuring when you come to a town or a village you understand what's ahead,
I went from a mini to a 4x4 plus a 7.2 m caravan it was "interesting"
Also get onto streetview and check services. I have often pulled up and found caravans are given a bay to park in which requires reversing in. (Strensham M5 South) the better ones have parking you pull into and pull out the other side. When I get to services I am taking a break not a test!
Finally double check how you get to a campsite. They often have bad access and come in the wrong way or make a wrong turn can lead to nightmares!
Finally double check how you get to a campsite. They often have bad access and come in the wrong way or make a wrong turn can lead to nightmares!
As someone else has said dont rely on the motor mover. Ours is a 6 berth single axle 7.25m all in I think. Last year I came out of a petrol station on a roundabout on the A303 late at night. Turned right thinking the service road ran round the back to rejoin the roundabout, and found myself in a McDonalds car park. Two options unhitch and turn the caravan by hand or reverse it in tot he drive through to turn round. Went for the latter, those viewing were impressed as didnt delay them from their Big Macs for too long!
Trick with reversing is do do it slowly and think about it. Do agree that it is difficult to tell where the rear of the caravan is, and its much easier to get out and check. I also find it much easier to hitch it on my own. I might have to get out to check how it aligns but its much better than my wifes shouted instructions which never make sense!
Trick with reversing is do do it slowly and think about it. Do agree that it is difficult to tell where the rear of the caravan is, and its much easier to get out and check. I also find it much easier to hitch it on my own. I might have to get out to check how it aligns but its much better than my wifes shouted instructions which never make sense!
A thing that nearly caught me out when disconnecting was the compression of the hitch along with the short distance of the hitch to the bumper, I use the motor mover to back up the caravan so the hitch will not spring forward when released, you can tell from the rubber cover the state of the hitch brake.
Be aware on Duel carriage ways that if overtaking car drivers do not want to be stuck behind a caravan and a few times I have had them alongside even when I was indicating and moving out, and they were long way back.
Traffic lights, where as normally you would think you could make it, with a caravan on you may not, the car is a lot slower to pick up and you have to get the caravan as well, it takes for ever especially when you have noticed the camera covering the lights.
Traffic lights, where as normally you would think you could make it, with a caravan on you may not, the car is a lot slower to pick up and you have to get the caravan as well, it takes for ever especially when you have noticed the camera covering the lights.
PRTVR said:
Be aware on Duel carriage ways that if overtaking car drivers do not want to be stuck behind a caravan and a few times I have had them alongside even when I was indicating and moving out, and they were long way back.
Traffic lights, where as normally you would think you could make it, with a caravan on you may not, the car is a lot slower to pick up and you have to get the caravan as well, it takes for ever especially when you have noticed the camera covering the lights.
I find the gain for overtaking on dual carriageways not worth the issues pulling out. The occasional hill makes a good opportunity when it’s clear for a distance behind. The difference between 65 and 60 over an hour is 5 Miles so less then about 7 minutes so not worth the bother. Traffic lights, where as normally you would think you could make it, with a caravan on you may not, the car is a lot slower to pick up and you have to get the caravan as well, it takes for ever especially when you have noticed the camera covering the lights.
If I have a long drive to do then I go the night or the day before and stay locally. I stopped rushing for ferries a couple of years ago and now stop at Portsmouth docks the night before.
No.1 rule, take your time, drive within “your” and “your rigs” limit, enjoy it.
chasingracecars said:
PRTVR said:
Be aware on Duel carriage ways that if overtaking car drivers do not want to be stuck behind a caravan and a few times I have had them alongside even when I was indicating and moving out, and they were long way back.
Traffic lights, where as normally you would think you could make it, with a caravan on you may not, the car is a lot slower to pick up and you have to get the caravan as well, it takes for ever especially when you have noticed the camera covering the lights.
I find the gain for overtaking on dual carriageways not worth the issues pulling out. The occasional hill makes a good opportunity when it’s clear for a distance behind. The difference between 65 and 60 over an hour is 5 Miles so less then about 7 minutes so not worth the bother. Traffic lights, where as normally you would think you could make it, with a caravan on you may not, the car is a lot slower to pick up and you have to get the caravan as well, it takes for ever especially when you have noticed the camera covering the lights.
If I have a long drive to do then I go the night or the day before and stay locally. I stopped rushing for ferries a couple of years ago and now stop at Portsmouth docks the night before.
No.1 rule, take your time, drive within “your” and “your rigs” limit, enjoy it.
Could I ask where you go from Portsmouth, have been thinking about going to the continent.
Was thinking Italy via Germany.
PRTVR said:
Could I ask where you go from Portsmouth, have been thinking about going to the continent.
Was thinking Italy via Germany.
I go anywhere in Europe. The drive saves 2-3 hours on Dover for me and it’s nice port at Caen, ferries go to Le Havre and Cherbourg as well as Spain I think from there.Was thinking Italy via Germany.
Caen is well placed for Italy as saved 1-2 hours on the continent as is the most southerly northern port if that makes sense.
chasingracecars said:
PRTVR said:
Could I ask where you go from Portsmouth, have been thinking about going to the continent.
Was thinking Italy via Germany.
I go anywhere in Europe. The drive saves 2-3 hours on Dover for me and it’s nice port at Caen, ferries go to Le Havre and Cherbourg as well as Spain I think from there.Was thinking Italy via Germany.
Caen is well placed for Italy as saved 1-2 hours on the continent as is the most southerly northern port if that makes sense.
Goes away to look at the port of Caen.
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