View Full Version : Towing Speed
This morning we went up to the Strawberries and Steam Fair near Swindon -lovely day with plenty to see.However,on the way up the M4 there was a goodly breeze blowing and we passed a car and caravan doing about 65mph.Now I said to the good lady that I thought (comments please !)that he was travelling too fast with a caravan in tow.
Low and behold on the way back on the M4 this evening there was a caravan upside down on the centre reservation,all mangled and bent,no sign of the car.Not the same combo as it had just happened but what is the consensus of a safe towing speed ?? :question
geoffdown
25-06-2011, 19:43
This morning we went up to the Strawberries and Steam Fair near Swindon -lovely day with plenty to see.However,on the way up the M4 there was a goodly breeze blowing and we passed a car and caravan doing about 65mph.Now I said to the good lady that I thought (comments please !)that he was travelling too fast with a caravan in tow.
Low and behold on the way back on the M4 this evening there was a caravan upside down on the centre reservation,all mangled and bent,no sign of the car.Not the same combo as it had just happened but what is the consensus of a safe towing speed ?? :question
law is 60mph on duel and mways 50 single carrageways i tow between 50mph tol 60 but only 60 if the weather is good i.e no wind or rain:thumbs
I agree with the above, there is alimit for caravans for a very good reason. Once, I saw a Zafira ZXR towing a caravan down in wales, over took me in my MX6 at about 70 mph...over took!! idiot.
geoffdown
25-06-2011, 20:26
I agree with the above, there is alimit for caravans for a very good reason. Once, I saw a Zafira ZXR towing a caravan down in wales, over took me in my MX6 at about 70 mph...over took!! idiot.
but the idiots dont no its law for towing anything i see them towing car trailers past me when i am doing just over 70mph:augie
but the idiots dont no its law for towing anything i see them towing car trailers past me when i am doing just over 70mph:augie
yeah, its very scary.
(RIP) PLANK
25-06-2011, 22:39
yeah, its very scary.
don't forget it's not just speed it's about not overtaking! No using the "fast lane" on the motorway. Most of the caravan accidents i have seen (and near misses) have been going to fast!
solarman216
25-06-2011, 23:15
don't forget it's not just speed it's about not overtaking! No using the "fast lane" on the motorway. Most of the caravan accidents i have seen (and near misses) have been going to fast!
No such thing as a fast lane, it is the third lane or overtaking lane, just a little point, Rick
(RIP) PLANK
25-06-2011, 23:20
No such thing as a fast lane, it is the third lane or overtaking lane, just a little point, Rick
note the " " around the term :thumbs
solarman216
26-06-2011, 00:08
note the " " around the term :thumbs
OK, Rick
Interesting,thanks.I have towed everything from a small trailer to a 25ft cabin cruiser which had a mind of it's own.Always sat at about 50mph just too be safe.Funny thing is one of the better towing vehicles was a 2.1i water cooled VW Combi.I think it's brick shape pushed all the air out of the way and made towing easier.Had a lot of torque in 3rd as well so not too bad on the hills,much better on the downhills though :)
solarman216
26-06-2011, 01:42
OK some interesting points here, a caravan yea right no way would I be pulling one at 70 plus unless there was no wind at all and even then I would be careful, but car trailer with car on it, low side wind resistance no problem at very high speeds if the whole outfit is balanced right, the only time I have had any sign of a problem is when encountering rutting in the nearside lane and that disappears under 70, Rick
Deleted account DD
26-06-2011, 02:28
loading, tow vehicle type, trailer to vehicle match and driver ability affect the way a caravan outfit makes safe progress more than anything else.
Some people are more dangerous at a walking pace than others at 60mph plus.
The weather is contributory but if i had been given a beer for every time it is used as an excuse for incompetence id be permanently pissed.
Switched off drivers are switched off drivers towing or not.
Be honest how many of you who tow are REALLY aware of whats going on around you?
How far ahead or behind you do you KNOW whats going on? if you ask most drivers cant tell you beyond the 3rd or 4th car. Thats appalling if youre considering towing on the speed limits with all of its associated maneuvers.
Other "fieldcraft"............... going down the M1 for example the trees at the side grow bent over because of the wind, how many of you look ahead at them to see if the ones further on are moving more than the ones youre going past at that point ie an increase or direction change in wind?
Do you look at your sat nav or route plan and actually think "ahh yes, flyover or bridge........windy maybe?"
How many actually know or check nose weight? too much or too little can be fatal. A reasonable gauge is under a tenner.
Do you understand about the bow wave from your vehicle as well as the ones youre passing and the effects of them?
Have you ever even thought of the different effects of that bow wave between single carriageway (ie oncoming) with the increased closing speeds vs dual carriageway (ie more overtaking or being overtaken)
How many of you stash the awning under the fixed bed at the back? tins and heavy packets in high cupboards. Do you know where your c of g is or even what it is?
Thats only a few of the points that Ive come across talking to hapless individuals (failed safe tow drivers) who funnily enough werent to blame (or so they tell me) across the board both general, vehicle and caravan towing.
None of us are perfect, I certainly arent but Its having knowledge of and switching onto points like that that make the difference between as safe a tow as poss and someone who gets by and relies on fingers crossed.
hi,here in nz the speed for all vehicles towing is 90km.vehicles not towing is 100km,cheers pete
i bought my lwb terrano with the intention of towing a decent sized caravan, just bought a twin axle van (advised to for more stable towing) about 26foot total length.
whilst towing it home, i went up to 70mph, and it was straight as a die, no shakes or anything, but as someone else posted above, this is before all the extras are added on, and the family are in the car!
i think it will always be a learning curve, as the weather changes ect.
:augie well i tow at 70 mph all the time on a m/way ,, have dunn for 20 years ,, guess iv been lucky over the years never a wobble ,, but think its how you load your caravan ,, but lets face it some caravans are put on the back of some cars are just over weight for the car from the word go ,, why the police dont drag them over for is another question ,, been a HGV driver well ex one ,, if i was over my axle weight on a lorry your dunn for it full stop ,, so why are cars with a over weight caravan aloud to plod on down the m/way for :nenau
I had to do an emergancy bracke and an avoidance manoevure on the m5 last year (not easy with a van on the back) to avoid three cars piroeting as a fourth car cut across from the right hand lane so as not to miss his exit, if id been doing 70 I hate to think of how it would have ended up. Sorry to drive at speed of 70 and + are crazy. Not to say a total disregard for other peoples saifty, you cant antisipate what the nob eliment are going to do infront of you.
Sorry if it offends but thats my opinion
illy
Deleted account DD
05-07-2011, 02:44
I had to do an emergancy bracke and an avoidance manoevure on the m5 last year (not easy with a van on the back) to avoid three cars piroeting as a fourth car cut across from the right hand lane so as not to miss his exit, if id been doing 70 I hate to think of how it would have ended up. Sorry to drive at speed of 70 and + are crazy. Not to say a total disregard for other peoples saifty, you cant antisipate what the nob eliment are going to do infront of you.
Sorry if it offends but thats my opinion
illy
once a vehicle is going across in front of you instead of away in front of you speed becomes kind of irrelevant.
It comes down to a big chunk of good luck on top of anticipation and basic skills.
I've towed my boat on it's 4 wheeled trailer, overall length 26 feet and weighing about 2 tonnes, ie same as my Mav.
As the trailer wheels are further back than a Caravan of a similar length, and the boat is more stream lined, it tows as straight as a dart.
In fact it "tries" to cruise at 70 mph :eek: :eek: so you have to be more mindful and keep it to 60 mph, takes quite a concentration to keep it at that.
Any idiot can tow a trailer at high speed, it's when something goes wrong there is a problem.
The brakes on a trailer rely on the over-run principle, and if the set up is not in a perfect straight line when braking, then the trailer can overtake the car, ie jack knife. Worse on wet roads. I won't even consider ice or snow !:eek:
That's assuming that the brakes on the trailer have been serviced correctly, and not that the handbrake sort of works.
An MOT for a trailer/caravan.... could that happen ? :nenau
If the trailer brakes were independant and were controlled directly, eg say air brakes like on an artic, then this would me a much safer set up.
Having said that, the maximum legal speed is 60 mph for an artic on a motorway, 50 on dual carriageways, and ONLY 40 on single carriageways.
And the drivers of these vehicles have more driving hours than most caravan owners.
I rest my case.......:thumb2
Having driven down the A14 and A11 hills ( What hills you say? ) towards roundabouts, it is then you realise how long it takes to stop this type of rig, even on a dry road, especially when some ***** pulls into your lane and starts braking for the roundabout. "We have a new crumple zone in front" :eek:
So you have to be more aware of what is around you, and where the escape route is.
The middle lane of a motorway doing 60+ mph is not a safe place to be, although you sometimes have to overtake lorries that are limited to 56 mph.:doh
The driving test does not test the towing rules directly, you can get this bit wrong and still pass your test.
Maybe that's why I have been overtaken by a car and trailer in the third lane doing 80+ mph MANY TIMES :eek: :eek:
Even a 40+ foot glider trailer.....behind a small car.
Use the speed cameras to check on trailer speeds, and ( Going into song now.....
"Book em All"
"Book em All"
"The long and the short and the tall....."
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Add your own verse here..... :lol :lol :lol
Basic towing advice.
Allow enough time for your journey.
Think twice before overtaking.
Make sure your car and trailer are fully serviced.
Plan your route, avoid steep hills, and narrow roads.
Don't overload the trailer/caravan.
Don't fit a stabiliser just to control an unstable load.
Get the hitch weight in the right region, see vehicle handbook.
The trailer and vehicle should be level.
Don't drive while tired or grumpy.
Take regular breaks.
Drive to the conditions, don't speed.
Have an escape route.
Keep your distance.
Have suitable mirrors that allow you to see past your trailer/caravan.
Make sure all lights work on the car and trailer/caravan.
Try to anticipate idiots, shouldn't be too difficult if you assume everyone is an idiot other than you. :confused: :confused:
Lots of other advice....
davenclaire
05-07-2011, 09:06
the driving test dosent need to contain towing rules its a test of basic driving if you want to tow anything nowadays you need to take a towing test. and every time you want to learn to drive a different class of vehicle then you need to sit a theory test for it. has any one tried the latest theory test ?
the driving test dosent need to contain towing rules its a test of basic driving if you want to tow anything nowadays you need to take a towing test. and every time you want to learn to drive a different class of vehicle then you need to sit a theory test for it. has any one tried the latest theory test ?
There are many drivers on the road (like me) who have taken the old version of the test, and can drive any caravan set up without further tests.
There are many people in their 40's who just buy a trailer/caravan having never towed before. Perfectly legal.
I also include drivers of 4x4 vehicles towing an off road 4x4 on a trailer, or classic cars or bangers on a car transporter trailer.
The modern test does allow towing but with a maximum gross train weight, meaning that to tow a larger trailer/caravan they go for the lightest car. :eek: :eek: BIG MISTAKE !!!!
Safe is 50, legal max has been raised to 60.
There are other reasons why people tow too fast or roll over.
1. Anti snake devices, such as Alco hitches stabilise the trailer. It is a bit of a oxymoron, as all it does in reality is take away the WARNING that you are starting to snake, until it is too much for the device to take - and that is certainly too much for many drivers to put right!
So remember; Alco hitches will remove the natural movement that acts as a warning - doesn't mean you can go faster....just means you won't know you have a problem until a little later!
2. Caravan ABS systems do lull the tugger into a false sense of security, as they feel the rules don't apply to them as the caravan is fitted with ABS. Yes it will make stopping easier when you need to - doesn't give you open access to drive like there is nothing behind you! Gadgets fail....and you have something like 20k worth on the back of your money!
3. Choice of tow vehicle is a factor - you not only want something with the weight that can tow a caravan, but something with soft enough suspension as not to damage the caravan chassis through vibration, but firm enough to hold its' own when the trailer wanders. Interestingly, 90% of matchstick accidents are towed by Discos! - don't feel you are above though, as the terrano is reknowned for having a soft ride!
4. State of the roads has a lot to do with it. Many of the motorways/dual carriageways under recent governments have been badly maintained. These result in deep ruts from heavier vehicles. When towing, these will throw you about as your trailer dips in and out of the ruts...it effects lorries as much as car/trailers - those weaving drivers are not asleep or drunk - the trailer is dragging the lorry around! Be aware of these, keep the speed down and try to straddle if able. Many roll overs strat of will an uncontrollable weave from ruts!
Thats some 'proffesional' advice from a guy that used to clear up the mess from matchstick martyrs, and tow lorries/trailers all over!
Deleted account DD
05-07-2011, 10:34
Any idiot can tow a trailer at high speed, it's when something goes wrong there is a problem.
correct but any idiot can drive any car at any speed . Thats the fundamental problem. Basic driving ability and awareness of whats going on and not just autopilot. some people should not be allowed out in pedal cars let alone to tow.
The brakes on a trailer rely on the over-run principle,
becoming increasingly incorrect as a carte blanche, certainly the case on my vehicle and caravan particularly outside of routine slowing and braking.
http://www.al-ko.co.uk/pages/al-ko-atc.html Most vans that have that also now have more car lik suspension with shockers all round as opposed to the old squishy rubber bushes. you can tell the difference immediately you hit the road.
add all of that to a car that has a tow rate of 3.5tonnes with only 1.8 tonnes on the back which clocks in at less than 80% . has a trailer detection and stability control in the vehicles stabilty/traction system and i would suggest that you have a very safe solid set up that is well within its capabilties and makes for a hassle free towing possibly up to the Bailey rated max (where permissible of course) of 80mph, which is quite clearly stated in their handbook when talking about the tyres.
You do need a decent driver and loader for the set up and thats where the daft family in their ford focus with a twin axle senator on the back are the problem.
You just cant judge everyone the same.
dont forget as well when most speedos are showing around 65 youre probably doing a true 60 :naughty
the ones id have every time (and have done :naughty) are camping trailers, unbraked motorcycle and boat trailers et al towed at over 50mph. They are by far and away the most dangerous because you effectively have a pendulum on the back of your car over which even the best has little control under hard braking. Im sure theyve changed since i last looked but when i did most of the pram type tyres they have were only rated to 60mph :eek:
I like these open discussion posts, :thumb2 :thumb2
I wasn't aware of the new technology going into caravans and trailers. :thumb2
My concern with all these safety features, is that it can encourage people to drive faster thinking that they are "Captain Scarlet"
Certainly for the sensible driver it will make their journey safer, in the same way that air bags and ABS have saved many lives and serious injuries.
However hitting a tree is still a major killer at any speed over 25-30 mph.
A blowout on a trailer tyre (or the car) could still cause a crash, I know some trailers are now fitted with these bands that keep the tyre on the rim, but there is no immunity to mechanical failure, or driver error.
Deleted account DD
05-07-2011, 13:54
I like these open discussion posts, :thumb2 :thumb2
:thumb2:thumb2
I wasn't aware of the new technology going into caravans and trailers. :thumb2
My concern with all these safety features, is that it can encourage people to drive faster thinking that they are "Captain Scarlet"
Certainly for the sensible driver it will make their journey safer, in the same way that air bags and ABS have saved many lives and serious injuries.
However hitting a tree is still a major killer at any speed over 25-30 mph.
A blowout on a trailer tyre (or the car) could still cause a crash, I know some trailers are now fitted with these bands that keep the tyre on the rim, but there is no immunity to mechanical failure, or driver error.
I agree, these aids will make some pillocks think they are indestructible but then again i reckon air bags and abs had the same effect when they became common place :confused:
The way I look at this technology and how i reckon it should be viewed is a bit like a pilot, particularly fast jets.
They learn to fly on a very basic no frills seat of your pants jet which hones their basic skills (learning to drive) they then move on up the tree (extra bits on the licence) unti they reach wherever they want to go.
A common misconception about fast jet pilots is they fly the plane on their skill, a bit like towing ;) they do but only to a degree. they need to literally keep a weather eye open, they need excellent spacial awareness but most surprising they would not be able to old something like a tornado in straight and level flight without their version of traction control, abs or alko trac. The planes are so inherently unstable they need electronics the likes of which are creeping into cars all the time to keep it safe and steady :thumb2
Good driver plus good kit :bow
On the puncture topic I agree too , one of my dreads but with a twin axle you do have more of a chance.
I had to do an emergancy bracke and an avoidance manoevure on the m5 last year (not easy with a van on the back) to avoid three cars piroeting as a fourth car cut across from the right hand lane so as not to miss his exit, if id been doing 70 I hate to think of how it would have ended up. Sorry to drive at speed of 70 and + are crazy. Not to say a total disregard for other peoples saifty, you cant antisipate what the nob eliment are going to do infront of you.
Sorry if it offends but thats my opinion
illywell here go`s nowt ,,but after 25 years of been on the roads with a 44 tonner mate iv seen just about every kind of crash and the biggest one to date is people driving to slow and people ramming up there rear end .. think this is a case of why most car drivers hate caravans going far to slow ,, if people are to fightned to drive at 60/70 with a caravan on a 4x4 or a car well with in the same weight as there caravan , stop towing a caravan , or get a car that is twice the weight of the caravan . dont get a 2 ton caravan and think a ton of car to going to be ok to tow it ,, thats were things go wrong as for disregards for other road use this why i drive with the flow of the traffic so am not the one who get the one finger wave :thumbs
no offend taken bazza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf02R5_ANZw
heres a good one of a blow out (only one car - not towing!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ydXgLgK3Q&feature=related
well here go`s nowt ,,but after 25 years of been on the roads with a 44 tonner mate iv seen just about every kind of crash and the biggest one to date is people driving to slow and people ramming up there rear end .. think this is a case of why most car drivers hate caravans going far to slow ,, if people are to fightned to drive at 60/70 with a caravan on a 4x4 or a car well with in the same weight as there caravan , stop towing a caravan , or get a car that is twice the weight of the caravan . dont get a 2 ton caravan and think a ton of car to going to be ok to tow it ,, thats were things go wrong as for disregards for other road use this why i drive with the flow of the traffic so am not the one who get the one finger wave :thumbs
no offend taken bazza
No offence, but aren't quite a few accidents on the motorways caused by the drivers of 44 tonners, as you put it, straying into the hard shoulder, whilst they roll a fag, send a text or make a cup of tea etc etc. Sorry for the generalisation, but all drivers liesure and proffesional, become complacent and overconfident once they start to rely on safety equipment and/or their own sense of experience.
Alan
No offence, but aren't quite a few accidents on the motorways caused by the drivers of 44 tonners, as you put it, straying into the hard shoulder, whilst they roll a fag, send a text or make a cup of tea etc etc. Sorry for the generalisation, but all drivers liesure and proffesional, become complacent and overconfident once they start to rely on safety equipment and/or their own sense of experience.
Alan yer very very ture mate ,, but them day of been a 44 tonner are over as health problems ,, force me to give my hgv up , i could of said nothing about it and carried on driving a time bomb , but i did put other road users first ,, and handed it back as for one i couldnt of lived with my self if i hurt/ killed any one , ,, just think of how many people out there dont say nothing to the dvla about change in there health
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf02R5_ANZw
And this one was a twin axle caravan as well ! :eek:
Deleted account DD
05-07-2011, 20:39
And this one was a twin axle caravan as well ! :eek:
ahhh but we dont know the reason behind the smash.
people do the strangest things. friend of mine in blissful ignorance stored the full size awning under the fixed bed in the back of their senator. just didnt know better.
They do know after 30+kg of load in the wrong place wrote the car of and severely damaged the van!!
On a more general note and contrary to popular belief blow outs on cars and caravans are extremely rare. What usually happens is a a puncture occurs and the still rotating tyre cant handle the forces of sudden deflation so it disintegrates. Completely different to a blow out.
Competent drivers and good electronics can sometimes deal with the onset.
(RIP) PLANK
05-07-2011, 22:54
As many of you know, I do a fair bit of caravan towing, which as some have pointed out is very different to towing any other kind of trailer. I have yet to test this new electronic stability stuff Dave is experienced in - but it does sound good, as opposed to the ALKO stabiliser hitch which is - pants!
My advice, is drive at a speed to suit the combination of towing vehicle /caravan and the road / weather /traffic conditions. But don't sacrifice safety for speed.
loading the caravan correctly has to be the number 1 thing for safe towing, all weight low and toward the front. Use the max nose weight to the max!
I have also had a tyre blow out, quite literally, the side wall exploded, because it had the wrong load rating :doh It was on a very large twin axle caravan (2800k plus) and forget the old wives tales about carrying on with a flat tyre on a twin axle it's nonsense - the back corner hit the road with a bang!
I do think, as others have pointed out, that too many 'safety' gadgets can lead people into a false sense of security! And carrying too much gear around with you is asking for incorrect loading trouble!
Thomas-the-Terrano2
05-07-2011, 23:21
well have towed at an indicated 65 or what ever felt right, tend to judge this
by the rev counter and the feel of the outfit.
now i'm thinking that the caravan is the most precious thing after my family
and hey whats the rush, slowing to indicated mid 50s, might just save some
fuel and certainly wear n tear on the old tin tent. after all its not a race
and been proven that dropping few mile per hours, only lengthens journey
by a few minutes.
load propery , max out the nose weight, bin the stabilizer, learn to drive
and sense whats good for the rig. read road, try IAM / road craft advise.
observation is everything, try a running commentry as I did on my IAM car
test back in 1987 at 20 years old. does pay, still got clean licence...
solarman216
06-07-2011, 00:06
well have towed at an indicated 65 or what ever felt right, tend to judge this
by the rev counter and the feel of the outfit.
now i'm thinking that the caravan is the most precious thing after my family
and hey whats the rush, slowing to indicated mid 50s, might just save some
fuel and certainly wear n tear on the old tin tent. after all its not a race
and been proven that dropping few mile per hours, only lengthens journey
by a few minutes.
load propery , max out the nose weight, bin the stabilizer, learn to drive
and sense whats good for the rig. read road, try IAM / road craft advise.
observation is everything, try a running commentry as I did on my IAM car
test back in 1987 at 20 years old. does pay, still got clean licence...
Totally agree, what the hell are we all rushing around for? cept when racing but that is off road and a different story altogether, and yes we do caravan demolition derbys, Rick
zippy656
06-07-2011, 07:40
Totally agree, what the hell are we all rushing around for? cept when racing but that is off road and a different story altogether, and yes we do caravan demolition derbys, Rick
where are the pics!
Deleted account DD
06-07-2011, 09:18
I have also had a tyre blow out, quite literally, the side wall exploded, because it had the wrong load rating :doh It was on a very large twin axle caravan (2800k plus) and forget the old wives tales about carrying on with a flat tyre on a twin axle it's nonsense - the back corner hit the road with a bang!
I'd never actually heard the story of "carrying on" but as you say, i tend to think it is bollocks but what i will say (based on a twin axle car transporter getting a puncture and the tyre ripping off) i di mange to control it. Lots of wobble and a bit of a sweat on but having some rubber still on the road on one side has to be better than just a metal rim :thumb2
what the hell are we all rushing around for?
Because we all have occasions where circumstances take over our destiny.
When we headed to the IOW 2 weeks ago I planned the tow to the ferry with breaks calculated in, I knew where all the planned roadworks were and then i added on 2 1/2 hrs just in case.
Due the the handywork of a complete dick who fitted the tow electric socket to my new car we had failure of said tow electrics. First the ns indicator on the van failed then the right.
Cut a long story short we ended up at woodall services ,with no tools multimeter or wiring diagram, for just over two hours whilst an auto electrician came out and fixed it for us (he described the work done as a f###ing abortion and ended up rewiring it so even if id had full kit with me id have been there as long doing the job!) .
We then got caught up in extraordinarily heavy traffic.
So with no extra capacity on later ferries or probably none the next day we had to try and make ours original which we did with exactly 8 minutes to spare.
Car and van well capable of an indicated 65mph and managed to get a full week on the IOW instead of 5 days.
Thats why we rushed on that occasion :thumb2 well worth every minute of uber concentration and cost of fuel.
I'd never actually heard the story of "carrying on"
If I had a blow out or puncture on my twin axle boat trailer, I would "Carry on" onto the hard shoulder or maybe the next junction at low speed if close enough.
I would then change the wheel.
My trailer can gross at well over 2800kg, so I only use 60% of it's capacity.
Yes the other wheel would be overloaded, but I would want to get off the motorway as soon as possible to protect the family...... the boat and the car.
How many of us actually carry a spare wheel, correctly inflated.....? :doh
I don't mean these tin cans either, if you get a flat on a caravan, you have probably wrecked it anyway by the time you find a safe haven.
me for one i dont check the car spare tyre/ or the caravan spare wheel but i do carry a tyre pump:augie :doh getting back to this towing speed and this 70 mph ,, as we all know the speedo in the terrano is 6/7 mph out any way so 70 is 63/64 so do we all drive at 78 to do 70 think not ,, just because it says 70 your not doing 70 :naughty
me for one i dont check the car spare tyre/ or the caravan spare wheel but i do carry a tyre pump:augie :doh getting back to this towing speed and this 70 mph ,, as we all know the speedo in the terrano is 6/7 mph out any way so 70 is 63/64 so do we all drive at 78 to do 70 think not ,, just because it says 70 your not doing 70 :naughty
It's so easy to check your speed now with Sat Nav, then you can "Calibrate" your speedo easily.
When I say Calibrate, I don't mean adjust it.
You can have a Table
Indicated Speed ..... Actual Speed
30................................28
40................................37
50................................etc
60
70
80
This MUST be done if you change tyre size etc.
I up-graded my Mav to the later size tyres 235 75 R15 and now the Speedo is correct at 70 mph, and isn't more than 1-2 mph out elsewhere.
Simple enough to do.
However I do get frustrated when I am following cars through speed cameras, when they slow down to 35 when passing a speed camera set to 40mph. :eek: :eek: :eek:
your lucky then cos mine is out by 6mph and thats with a sat nav and a speed sensor no matter who,s i use it 6 mph diffrents with the dash :( but like i say i can do 76 with sat nav and dash reads 70
(RIP) PLANK
06-07-2011, 14:50
If I had a blow out or puncture on my twin axle boat trailer, I would "Carry on" onto the hard shoulder or maybe the next junction at low speed if close enough.
I would then change the wheel.
My trailer can gross at well over 2800kg, so I only use 60% of it's capacity.
Yes the other wheel would be overloaded, but I would want to get off the motorway as soon as possible to protect the family...... the boat and the car.
How many of us actually carry a spare wheel, correctly inflated.....? :doh
I don't mean these tin cans either, if you get a flat on a caravan, you have probably wrecked it anyway by the time you find a safe haven.
From my experience of twin axle punctures you might not be able to! don't ban on anything more than stopping safely!
My speedo is the other way around.When my speedo says 70 I am doing a Sat Nav speed of about 65.The faster I go the worse it gets?Confusing as standard tyres and wheels.
(RIP) PLANK
06-07-2011, 18:29
My speedo is the other way around.When my speedo says 70 I am doing a Sat Nav speed of about 65.The faster I go the worse it gets?Confusing as standard tyres and wheels.
mine does that, I usually guess at about half way between the two :thumb2
running on standard 235 70 16 tyres
Deleted account DD
06-07-2011, 19:23
How many of us actually carry a spare wheel, correctly inflated.....? :doh
A lot of caravan makers supply them as standard now. So we do .....................now :naughty:naughty:naughty:naughty:D
(RIP) PLANK
06-07-2011, 19:27
How many of us actually carry a spare wheel, correctly inflated.....? :doh
I don't mean these tin cans either, if you get a flat on a caravan, you have probably wrecked it anyway by the time you find a safe haven.
I'm a bit of a spare wheel anorak, I have quite a collection, when I move a caravan or tailer I haven't towed before I can usually guess the closest two and make sure I have them with me :thumb2
Don't rely on sat navs, they are not accurate as you may feel they are. It is a calculation worked out from 3 satellites triangulating you position. You have no way of telling if you may lose or have a break in signal at any time with any one.
The slightest error, or disturbance can cause the tiniest miscalculation which will be manified immensely by the time it comes back to earth.
Only way you can really tell accurately is to travel a measured mile, and work it out with maths!
1mph = 1.46 ft/s
5280ft = 1 mile
At 30 mph, you will be eating 43.8ft every second.
You can culculate from there by multiplying the singular with the MPH. For example, at 60mph you will travel at the optimum...a mile a minute.
(RIP) PLANK
06-07-2011, 22:04
Don't rely on sat navs, they are not accurate as you may feel they are. It is a calculation worked out from 3 satellites triangulating you position. You have no way of telling if you may lose or have a break in signal at any time with any one.
The slightest error, or disturbance can cause the tiniest miscalculation which will be manified immensely by the time it comes back to earth.
Only way you can really tell accurately is to travel a measured mile, and work it out with maths!
1mph = 1.46 ft/s
5280ft = 1 mile
At 30 mph, you will be eating 43.8ft every second.
You can culculate from there by multiplying the singular with the MPH. For example, at 60mph you will travel at the optimum...a mile a minute.
Good point Dan, i have said this before - and been shot down in flames - testing your speedo against your clock /watch on long journeys is about as good as it gets :thumb2
Would the towing speed of this annoy you. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD9AMZFexqw&feature=related
illy
:lol:lol:lol Illy thats well funny
Would the towing speed of this annoy you. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD9AMZFexqw&feature=related
illy
My Father in Law used to say there is a caravan made for every car, but I didn't think they made one for a bicycle or an electric scooter. :thumb2
It's about the size of a side car....( For motor bikes).
I wonder if he'll have to pay the same rate as a twin axle caravan at a caravan site :nenau
I like the way they have to use a standard 50mm ball and hitch, so where's the handbrake then? :eek: :eek:
I see he has a scissor jack ( to stop it tilting I guess) and a jockey wheel :confused:
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