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We were on our way down to Axminster about 6 weeks ago with the caravan in tow on the M5 and pulled into Sedgemoor services for a break. On leaving the services exit we continued for about 5 miles and realised there was little traffic on the opposite carriageway when in sight I noticed blue flashing lights. As we drew closer we could see a black 4x4 upside down on the roof with the caravan on top of it which hadn't tipped over. I know what you mean when you say it upset you because I felt the same and it played on my mind for days after. I have to agree though that there are a minority of caravanners who travel too fast and exceed the 60 mph. speed limit hoping to get to their destination quicker. Some are unlucky and fail to reach their destination at all just because they want to get there a bit quicker. As the OP says, slow down and adhere to the 60mph. speed limit. It's there for your own safety and for other road users too.

I would imagine that the people who speed with towing their caravan speed when they are solo, the bad habit they have learned persists whatever they drive.

I think that a false sense of security exists where they assume that they have the ability to avoid or control any situation that may happen. I don't think they have clue how quickly and how bad things can go so horribly wrong, after all, it's been all ok up till now!

Dave

always sad to hear of a fellow camper/'vanner in such dire straights,

personally ,apart from the fuel consumption aspects & obvious safety considerations, i tow at or 60 mph ,or below, mainly due to the fact that i'm off on my jollies and feeling qiute chilled and at peace with the world, that of course is on the way there, on the way back i stick to the limit because i'm in no hurry to get home and back to the work-a-day drudgery.

i did once get overtaken by a fellow camper in a big shiney 4x4 with an even bigger tin tent on the back, i was doing 60, and he passed me almost as though i was standing still, as he went past i glanced across and despite belting past me he was swigging away at a bottle of pop or some such, no wonder 'accidents' happen ,

Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 25/7/2012

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Well does anyone have any info on France. If their speeds were a lot higher then surely there are more speed related statistics for towing. Everyone slates the 60mph rule me included but this is based on heresay (not legality). I am purely interested if towing beyond this figure is as dangerous as we all say.

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Quote: Originally posted by mikegalagher on 25/7/2012

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Indeed, but education and learning still helps. A neighbour would not tow, his wife had to do the driving. They swapped a FC for a caravan.

On the very first trip out, she overtook a lorry and the 'van started a shake. The husband told her to "drive out of it". His reasoning was that higher speed would pull the 'van back in to line. I kid you not.

It overturned and was written off.

Fortunately all in the car were unharmed. That was a lesson I always had in mind when towing our Pathfinder.

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Started caravanning 30 years ago when I was in my late 20’s. Cars weren’t as powerful then and I was lucky to get to 50 mph and only on a motorway. Even then there were accidents but mainly involved bow winds caused by coaches or snakes caused by too heavy caravans.

These times served as a good apprenticeship and I’ve never had any problems. I still drive at 50 mph and defensively !.

I think part of the problem is that a lot of caravanners today have never served such an apprenticeship and have bought the big car / 4 X 4 as soon as they’ve started caravanning !