Anybody own/use a Left-hand drive vehicle and, more specifically, tow with one?
Any particular problems other than getting used to the turning aspects of the vehicle whilst sitting in the 'wrong' seat and potential forward vision problems when sat behind a slower moving vehicle under certain circumstances?
Having now gained an additional 'four paws' in the guise of a 2yr-old yellow Labrador, fitting two dogs and kit into the back of a car may prove interesting; and American cars appear to offer a viable alternative.
Not entirely ruling out a D3, although the rear load space is not as large as I imagined, the occasional LHD D3 crops onto the market at a favourably discounted price.
Can anyone persuade me, one way or another, to seriously consider or definitely avoid a LHD vehicle?
A friend in trade tells me that LHD absolutely savages the value of a vehicle so if you buy make sure that it comes really cheap!
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I had a LHD Audi A4 avant for several years up to mid 2010. I bought it as I had plans to move to France - unfortunately these plans fell thru but I kept the car.
There was NO increase in insurance. There is no box to enter LHD in any insurance quote, and when I first insured it, I phoned to tell them and they said "so what!".
Towing? - I towed my Hobby (1600kgs, 2.5m wide) all over the UK and France without any problems - once you get used to driving from the wrong seat!!
Overtaking on single carriageway roads was admittedly a bit difficult, but I find the roads are so busy these days that there are very few of these roads where you can overtake anyway. On dual carriageway roads, whether single or towing, it's exactly the same as a RHD - look in relevant mirror, indicate when there is space, and pull out into adjacent carriageway - no difference!!
Costs?? - I bought mine privately in the UK, and guestimate that I paid considerably less (around 20%) than the equivalent RHD. It's residual value after 6 years and (total of) 180k miles was almost insignificant, but I still got a 4 figure sum for it.
It was often quite amusing when giving lifts to people - I used to stand and watch them getting into the 'wrong' side.
Like lister says, you get used to it, use your mirrors just the same as, get some miles under ya belt if need be to get used to it. I towed for years with a left hooker, comes natural after a few miles.
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Guys, thanks for the replies. I'm still new to overtaking with the 'van attached......... Not something that occurs that frequently in a 23 yr old Landie
A forward facing mirror? Fixed to the offside passenger window at a 45 degrees? Do explain........I'm intrigued!
Quote: Originally posted by Defender on 24/10/2012
Guys, thanks for the replies. I'm still new to overtaking with the 'van attached......... Not something that occurs that frequently in a 23 yr old Landie
A forward facing mirror? Fixed to the offside passenger window at a 45 degrees? Do explain........I'm intrigued!
I didn't get that mirror thing either. Too much forward facing and surely it will be blinding oncoming traffic at night.
Quote: Originally posted by listerdiesel on 24/10/2012
You soon get used to it, and you can mount a foward-facing mirror on the passenger door to see ahead if you're worried.
LHD doesn't affect insurance, there are plenty of folks shuttling to and fro to Europe in LHD cars now.
Values aren't that much down on LHD as there's a ready market for popular models.
Those of you who go to Europe in a RHD will know what to expect.
Just fit a larger slightly longer mirror on the off side, if you should need to overtake look along the NS of the vehicle in front you should get a good view of the road ahead doing that
I can just see me saying to the wife in a left hand drive "Is there anything coming dear before i overtake ?" Aye right, brown trousers time me thinks.
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Topic: Left hand drive
