I am 57 and passed my test when I was 17. I have worked in the garage trade all my working life, You name it I have driven it, from 44 ton arctics to a Heinkel Bubble car.I have towed with just about every type of towing device I can think of and yes I still cock it up sometimes. I know I am safe at continental towing speeds, in a large 4x4 pulling a medium sized van, but what about the idiot coming the other way or the twin axle pulled by a Ford Mondeo at at least 80mph that over took me on the motorway from Abbeyville to Rouen. I must admit I was glad to see him disappear into the distance.
I have been driving for 16 years (also in the motortrade) but only towing a caravan since May this year. But one thing I do know from the accident damaged vehicles I look at for a living speed and being overconfident when driving is not a good mix!
Oh Dear!! It seems that if we are towing at 60mph on the motorway, as we think safely, then a driver towing a caravan goes past us at 70mph he/she is a better driver than us. I think not!! I would rather be safe than sorry. My husband drove 35,000 miles a year with his job and never had an accident.He was a good driver and drove sensibly. One mistake on the motorway killed him.
Today on the M4 there was a Zafira towing a folding camper; overtook me while I was doing an indicated 68 (65 by GPS). It pulled in after a couple of hundred yards, hit a rut caused by lorries and the van bounced all over the place - settled down after 15 to 20 seconds - 2 miles down the road he did it again and still didn't slow down!
Quote: Originally posted by path20 on 28/7/2008
Oh Dear!! It seems that if we are towing at 60mph on the motorway, as we think safely, then a driver towing a caravan goes past us at 70mph he/she is a better driver than us. I think not!! I would rather be safe than sorry. My husband drove 35,000 miles a year with his job and never had an accident.He was a good driver and drove sensibly. One mistake on the motorway killed him.
Post last edited on 28/07/2008 19:13:44
A very tragic comment, and very apt message for those who still think they know better than the experts where speed is concerned.
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Topic: Motorway speed!
