Towing Speeds

jims-terrano · 31-05-2015, 18:46

Has the maximum towing speeds changed?

When I passed my test it was 60mph for a braked trailer and 50 for unbraked?

Been up to York today and Drove home down the A1. Took me all my time to catch several caravans and trailers up and they certainly werent keeping to those limits.

One little trailer had some fence posts and a set of ladders tied on the top, as the ladders bounced the trailer was nearly tipping. Totally nuts people on the roads.

Banshee · 31-05-2015, 18:51

I try to stick to 50-60mph braked or unbraked

Please correct me if I'm in the wrong

jims-terrano · 31-05-2015, 19:11

100% agree with you Banshee

Sweety · 31-05-2015, 19:12

I'm 99.9% sure it's 60 on duel carriage way & 50 on single carriage way for braked or unbraked

but know what you mean Jim have been on the A1 or M6 & people have flown past me doing 70 with trailers or caravans wobbling all over the place

Lazy-Ferret · 31-05-2015, 19:28

No, still the same, although I believe that they were thinking of changing them to bring us more in line with Europe at some time in the near future.

Basically,
Built up areas 30mph, came as solo cars.
Single Carriageways, 50mph, 10mph less than solo cars
Dual carriageways and Motorways, 60mph, 10mph less than cars.

Also a lot of people do not seem to realise that unless instructed by police, traffic Officers, or motorway signs, you are not allowed to use the outside lane on 3 line or more motorways.

I find the T2, and our Adria sits easily and nicely at 60mph, and sometimes, when downhill, wind behind, she will shoot up to 70mph if you are not watching the speedo. Luckily the whole outfit is very stable, but you do need to pull it all back into check.

briggie · 31-05-2015, 19:34

when I had a tourer I used a sort of stabiliser bar that locked in place and prevented snaking ....... of course the problem was remembering to remove it when reversing onto a pitch

don simon · 31-05-2015, 19:52

Isn't snaking usually a question of poor weight distribution (and speedd)? Solution to snaking is taking the foot off the accelerator, then gunning it to catch the snake and once caught simply control.
In my younger days I had to work my way out of a snaking trailer at 90mph on an empty M53.

jims-terrano · 31-05-2015, 20:08

Weight distribution is one cause that is true.

I was trained to ease off the gas and to keep it steady and not to try and fight the snake. oh yeah and dont brake!

Apparently trying to accelorate out of a snake is not recommended.

Ive only experienced a minor snake and that was bringing a van home and not having a stabiliser fitted due to just collecting it.

A stabiliser will help to prevent a snake but not stop it happening.

Back on topic Im right about the speed but still no real confirmation about different maximum limits between braked and unbraked.

Lazy-Ferret · 31-05-2015, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Back on topic Im right about the speed but still no real confirmation about different maximum limits between braked and unbraked.

I did not think there was one... had a look, and can't see one either.

Basically as far as the law goes, a trailer is a trailer. The limit is on weight. No unbraked trailer is allowed to have a plated weight over 750Kg, and the speed limit applies to any towed trailer up to 7.5 tonnes.

Forgot to add, remember an unbraked trailer must never weight more that half the car weight either.

Banshee · 31-05-2015, 20:33

I've always accelerated out of snakes!!!

Advice I've always lived by since Clarkson said it on Top Gear

31-05-2015, 18:46	#1
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Towing Speeds Has the maximum towing speeds changed? When I passed my test it was 60mph for a braked trailer and 50 for unbraked? Been up to York today and Drove home down the A1. Took me all my time to catch several caravans and trailers up and they certainly werent keeping to those limits. One little trailer had some fence posts and a set of ladders tied on the top, as the ladders bounced the trailer was nearly tipping. Totally nuts people on the roads.

31-05-2015, 18:51	#2
Banshee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Midlands Vehicle: 04 2.7 SWB Terrano II Van Posts: 13,526	I try to stick to 50-60mph braked or unbraked Please correct me if I'm in the wrong __________________ Moderator 04' Terrano II SE 2.7 TDi SWB Commercial in Silver - Project Thread Toyo Open Country M/T 33's on 10J Steels, Super Strong Steering Job Navara D22 Snorkel, Front LOKKA, Maunal Hubs, EGR Blank TunitII ECU Chip, 3" Body Lift, 2" Suss Lift, Heat Exchanger Black Interior, 3.0 Borg&Beck Clutch, Eckes Heated Fuel Filter 99' Y61 Patrol GR SE 2.8 TD6 LWB in Blue/Silver - Project Thread Engine Transplant - In Progress!!!

31-05-2015, 20:33	#10
Banshee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Midlands Vehicle: 04 2.7 SWB Terrano II Van Posts: 13,526	I've always accelerated out of snakes!!! Advice I've always lived by since Clarkson said it on Top Gear __________________ Moderator 04' Terrano II SE 2.7 TDi SWB Commercial in Silver - Project Thread Toyo Open Country M/T 33's on 10J Steels, Super Strong Steering Job Navara D22 Snorkel, Front LOKKA, Maunal Hubs, EGR Blank TunitII ECU Chip, 3" Body Lift, 2" Suss Lift, Heat Exchanger Black Interior, 3.0 Borg&Beck Clutch, Eckes Heated Fuel Filter 99' Y61 Patrol GR SE 2.8 TD6 LWB in Blue/Silver - Project Thread Engine Transplant - In Progress!!!

31-05-2015, 19:11	#3
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	100% agree with you Banshee

31-05-2015, 19:12	#4
Sweety Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northumberland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI SE LWB Posts: 3,604	I'm 99.9% sure it's 60 on duel carriage way & 50 on single carriage way for braked or unbraked but know what you mean Jim have been on the A1 or M6 & people have flown past me doing 70 with trailers or caravans wobbling all over the place

31-05-2015, 19:28	#5
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	No, still the same, although I believe that they were thinking of changing them to bring us more in line with Europe at some time in the near future. Basically, Built up areas 30mph, came as solo cars. Single Carriageways, 50mph, 10mph less than solo cars Dual carriageways and Motorways, 60mph, 10mph less than cars. Also a lot of people do not seem to realise that unless instructed by police, traffic Officers, or motorway signs, you are not allowed to use the outside lane on 3 line or more motorways. I find the T2, and our Adria sits easily and nicely at 60mph, and sometimes, when downhill, wind behind, she will shoot up to 70mph if you are not watching the speedo. Luckily the whole outfit is very stable, but you do need to pull it all back into check.

31-05-2015, 19:34	#6
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	when I had a tourer I used a sort of stabiliser bar that locked in place and prevented snaking ....... of course the problem was remembering to remove it when reversing onto a pitch

31-05-2015, 19:52	#7
don simon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Gone. Vehicle: Terrano ii Posts: 2,215	Isn't snaking usually a question of poor weight distribution (and speedd)? Solution to snaking is taking the foot off the accelerator, then gunning it to catch the snake and once caught simply control. In my younger days I had to work my way out of a snaking trailer at 90mph on an empty M53.

31-05-2015, 20:08	#8
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Weight distribution is one cause that is true. I was trained to ease off the gas and to keep it steady and not to try and fight the snake. oh yeah and dont brake! Apparently trying to accelorate out of a snake is not recommended. Ive only experienced a minor snake and that was bringing a van home and not having a stabiliser fitted due to just collecting it. A stabiliser will help to prevent a snake but not stop it happening. Back on topic Im right about the speed but still no real confirmation about different maximum limits between braked and unbraked.