Hearing that they are looking at increasing the motorway speed limit on motorways for cars to 80mph, does anybody feel they should look at increasing the speed limit for properly matched caravan / car outfits to 70mph?
A lot of modern caravans are now being equipped with electronic stabilisers and with all the modern technology, should they review it? In all cases it would of course be where appropriate and depending on conditions?
My view is that if they raised it to 70mph they could apply this in dry conditions and maybe 60mph if raining?
Another option would be to amend the law so that twin axle caravans on motorways could do 70 mph and 60mph for single axle vans?
Good point agde, but it could be argued if you had a puncture at 60 or 70 mph, you would still have one inflated tyre on that side ( you would have to very unlucky to get two punctures on same side at same time instantly deflating)?
Hearing that they are looking at increasing the motorway speed limit on motorways for cars to 80mph, does anybody feel they should look at increasing the speed limit for properly matched caravan / car outfits to 70mph?
A lot of modern caravans are now being equipped with electronic stabilisers and with all the modern technology, should they review it? In all cases it would of course be where appropriate and depending on conditions?
My view is that if they raised it to 70mph they could apply this in dry conditions and maybe 60mph if raining?
Another option would be to amend the law so that twin axle caravans on motorways could do 70 mph and 60mph for single axle vans?
Does anyone have any thoughts?
There are some who think 70 is the limit towing now You get them passing you every time your sticking to 60 while towing on the M6
If Caravanners think that 70 mph should be allowed while towing , perhaps they should consider another type of holiday .
Caravanning is meant to be relaxing and that includes the the journey to your destination , not racing along at 70 with a huge white box in tow just to gain a few extra minutes .
Indeed neil and lena, just like some think 80 is the limit cars solo now, hence my wonder if it is time for a review?
I hear that cars dont generally get pulled over on motorways at 80mph and that is one reason they are looking at reviewing, has anyone actually been pulled over at 70 whilst towing or overtaking an hgv?
...A lot of modern caravans are now being equipped with electronic stabilisers and with all the modern technology, should they review it?
You've answered this yourself I'd suggest.
Take a look on the roads and there's too varied a mix of tugs about towing, a portion well matched and a good portion clearly not.
While I agree there's a good proportion of 'modern' vehicles that are arguably better equipped to tow, similarly there are a good number that you'd prefer not to share the same road with.
Current restrictions cater for all and a different limit for different conditions just wouldn't be an option and lead to abuse and/or confusion.
Hi neil and lena, good point again, I am not advocating a change just considering if it should be reviewed?
Your last point is nnot really a reason to not review, just because you are going on holiday does not mean you have to drive at 70 if it was allowed. Indeed Like you I prefer to have a relaxing drive whilst on holiday. However, have you got off the ferry at Calais and seen the solo cars with their camping gear on the roof flying by at 90!
Following that same point perhaps they should be relaxing and not driving at 90 whilst on holiday??
I was thinking more of any safety objections against today's modern technology and capabilities of towcars and caravans now?
I could tow at 70mph if I chose - I run at a 74% match with noseweight bang on. At higher speeds there is a higher risk of snaking, and braking distances are even longer - have you ever noticed that a Ford Fiesta/Nissan Micra/white van drives into your braking space, or is it just my bad luck?
I'd use a heck of a lot more diesel tho if I did tow at 70mph..
I'm quite happy towing at 55mph - there are plenty overtaking opportunities on a motorway for those who wish to go faster.
Indeed neil and lena, just like some think 80 is the limit cars solo now, hence my wonder if it is time for a review?
I hear that cars dont generally get pulled over on motorways at 80mph and that is one reason they are looking at reviewing, has anyone actually been pulled over at 70 whilst towing or overtaking an hgv?
How many accidents will happen if it was increased ?
if 70 mph were allowed there would be the boneheads who would still exceed the limit and push it to 80mph whilst towing .
Playing devils advocate you could say the same for cars and vans, there are capable modern well looked after vans and high performance cars on the motorways currently all limited to 70 mph since speed limits were introduced, hence lifting to 80 mph is a compromise, bearing in mind their are cars on the road that I would not want to travel at 70 mph on a motoway let alone 80mph.
Does that mean taking your point Paul that as technology keeps evolving the speed limit should stay at 60 for evermore simply because it must cater for all? If so why are cars not following the same position?
I suppose it is worth pointing out that you can get away with driving a car at nearly 80 at the moment, 70mph+10%+2mph margin=79mph. The outside lane on motorways usually moves along at over 75. All the suggested new 80mph limit is intended to do is legitimise the speed that many drivers already travel at.
The idea is that unlike lower speed limits where the 10%+2mph margin is often applied & certainly is on motorways, the 80 limit will be enforced at 80. This will mean no real increase in motorway traffic speeds so best to leave caravan speed limit where it is imho.
I'm sure those who feel 'safe' towing caravans at 70 already do anyway.
In my opinion the present speed limits for towing should remain. There are certainly many of us who could safely tow faster but also the limits are designed to protect those who are not so experienced. I am sure we have all experienced snaking under the wrong conditions so why temp fate and increase the potential for accidents. As for cars, I have driven on the German autobahns where there are no limits and found no major issues so it seems sensible to allow the improvement in technology and safety equipment to feed through into a higher speed limit.
I am quite happy towing at 60mph thank you. If I go up to 70 I am going to use disproportionately more fuel.
Assuming I maintained a constant speed over a 250 mile journey I would save about 1/2 hour. Of course I wouldn't maintain this constant speed - it's impossible on today's motorways. If I did I would arrive more stressed for my extra 1/2 hour.
Not everyone towing a caravan is competent at 70. (not every driver is competent at 80)
I see no justification for increasing it. Better still to reduce it to 55 for improved fuel economy.
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Topic: Is it time to review Speed Limit
