Very good advice Sangia. Can anyone tell me what is the maximum weight for a trailer, without having breaks fitted? As i may be somewhere near the limit with a trailer i am planning to build.
------------- Corpogreen esq
dead horse
and
donkey buyer
What unbraked trailer can I tow? You can tow a maximum of 750 Kg with an unbraked trailer but you cannot exceed half the kerb weight of the towing vehicle. You can tow a trailer with a Gross Weight higher than your car’s towing limit as long as you only load it up to that limit. It is illegal to exceed the car’s towing limit.
back to the original question - I usually keep my speed below 60, not because the trailer wobbles at a higher speed but because the xtra weight on my car is gonna make it a bugger to stop in a hurry.
I tow my trailer up to an indicated 70mph. But I know my speedo over-reads. An indicated 70 is just over 60...
To be honest, I don't have a problem with keeping the speed down while towing. In fact, I find it far more relaxing than not towing and hammering along with the other maniacs!
As for moving into the middle lane from the left, no problem. Motorway driving (come to that, any driving) is about observation and anticipation. If you are catching the vehicle in front, check your mirror well in advance and if you can't get into the lane ease off until you can, rather than hammering up to one in front and then standing on the brakes. If you want to move into the middle lane and someone is in that lane, check the right hand lane to see if they can move into it. If they can, indicate, and if they are co-operative they'll move over. If they are anticipating properly, they should see that you will shortly want to overtake and be prepared for it...
Wouldn't it be nice if all drivers were considerate to one another?
------------- *Only boring people get bored!
*When camping, I miss the dishwasher more than the TV.
Howslo, couldn't agree more. Just done a trip from Cornwall to Yorkshire for the first time with the trailer and was surprised to find it much more stress-free at 60 than chasing and braking with the masses pushing the 70mph speed limit. The speed restriction and limit to two lanes made me anticipate lane changes and signalling much earlier, and more observant in my mirrors of what was going on around me. OK the journey took half an hour longer than usual, but the driving style meant I had cruise on for 80% of the journey (just using occasional throttle bursts to overtake or for hills), and got home as fresh as when I set off. Plus the reduction in sudden acceleration and sharp braking suited my diesel lump perfectly and returned over 40mpg with the car and trailer fully loaded.
As for the need to change lanes frequently, I just go by the adage I was taught that "if there is space on your left, then you should be in it". Lorry drivers in the main I found courteous (e.g. flashing to let you know it's safe to pull in etc.). Worse offenders for not pulling in from the middle lane were coach drivers - perhaps because they want to give their passengers a nice straight smooth ride?
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Help! Safe towing speeds
