Towing Speeds - Page 2

firebobby · 01-06-2015, 10:21

We used to use the snake bar stabilizer bars, but our Lunar has a built in one and that works fine.
Only ever got into trouble once while towing our then ABI caravan, we had a Volvo 850 TDI and were overtaking a lorry going down the cutting on the M40 by junction 6, the van was not loaded correctly and we got into a hell of a snake, a person behind, said one wheel was actually off the the ground when the van was at full swing

Being an auto, I floored the car and it steadied up enough to stop on the hard shoulder, both kids crying in the back and we were shaking, but bloody lucky.
I never overtake going down hills now.

Lazy-Ferret · 01-06-2015, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebobby

We used to use the snake bar stabilizer bars, but our Lunar has a built in one and that works fine.
Only ever got into trouble once while towing our then ABI caravan, we had a Volvo 850 TDI and were overtaking a lorry going down the cutting on the M40 by junction 6, the van was not loaded correctly and we got into a hell of a snake, a person behind, said one wheel was actually off the the ground when the van was at full swing

Being an auto, I floored the car and it steadied up enough to stop on the hard shoulder, both kids crying in the back and we were shaking, but bloody lucky.
I never overtake going down hills now.

It's amazing, you gain a whole new outlook to towing once you have had a "Real" snake. I thought I had had the odd snake in the past when a lorry passed, or some such, but once I had the one like yours, I knew what a real snake was.

firebobby · 01-06-2015, 14:15

I find large Sprinter type vans flying past can make the van fidget, the worst things I find are car transporter lorries, as these leave a very unbroken slip stream and you can feel the van moving until I get out to overtake.

Banshee · 01-06-2015, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebobby

I find are car transporter lorries, as these leave a very unbroken slip stream and you can feel the van moving until I get out to overtake.

They are horrid!!!!!! They make my motor snake on it's own without a trailer, it's one of those that made my empty Williams car trailer snake recently

micktheshed · 01-06-2015, 18:18

Unless things have changed recently (well the past 10 years then LOL).
50mph on 'normal roads & duel carriageways with no central barrier
60 mph on M/W & D/C with central barrier.

Since I got 'done' for speeding (36 in a 30 limit) when i first had my auto Terrano (I blame the auto as I'd lost the road speed/engine noise to judge by, & the uselessly inaccurate speedo ) I tend to be watching the satnav for a true speed. Not that I consider this any safer!

I've noticed that the 3l auto gives better consumption at around 55, & stays in lock-up longer, so that's the speed I tow at (when permisible, or if I can get away with it LOL).

Blocky10 · 01-06-2015, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by micktheshed

I've noticed that the 3l auto gives better consumption at around 55, & stays in lock-up longer, so that's the speed I tow at (when permisible, or if I can get away with it LOL).

I've found that in mine too. An indicated 60mph (actual 55mph ?) suits our van. As long as I can match hgv's speed or just better them I'm happy.
The biggest problem is the overhang on our van. The wind off the big vans screaming past or the hgv cabs, push the back of the caravan across and you feel it pull the rear of the truck one way then the other. Was awful to begin with but used to it now.
The last caravan was a lightweight 14ft! Didn't even know it was there.. uploadfromtaptalk1433187665289.jpg

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 01-06-2015, 23:26

had starts of snakes with various caravans all smaller than current one.

do our believe the twin axle holds road better than others.

only real bad snake had was towing an exhibition trailer, had a ring coupling,
we had a twin wheel transit with jaw/ball. transit was empty. trailer had to be
encouraged down on nose to engage coupling.

open road out of harrogate, cross wind and transit was lifted off its wheels so
rig ended up at 90 degrees, only damage was one rear light cluster on transit
oh and my pride of course. then carried on 40 or so miles on more sheltered
back roads back to Darlington.

Once trailer was fitted out our Glasgow office picked it up with a crew cab hilux,
wished em luck, one trip to Scotland was glad didnt have to do.

01-06-2015, 23:26	#22
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	had starts of snakes with various caravans all smaller than current one. do our believe the twin axle holds road better than others. only real bad snake had was towing an exhibition trailer, had a ring coupling, we had a twin wheel transit with jaw/ball. transit was empty. trailer had to be encouraged down on nose to engage coupling. open road out of harrogate, cross wind and transit was lifted off its wheels so rig ended up at 90 degrees, only damage was one rear light cluster on transit oh and my pride of course. then carried on 40 or so miles on more sheltered back roads back to Darlington. Once trailer was fitted out our Glasgow office picked it up with a crew cab hilux, wished em luck, one trip to Scotland was glad didnt have to do. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

01-06-2015, 10:21	#16
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	We used to use the snake bar stabilizer bars, but our Lunar has a built in one and that works fine. Only ever got into trouble once while towing our then ABI caravan, we had a Volvo 850 TDI and were overtaking a lorry going down the cutting on the M40 by junction 6, the van was not loaded correctly and we got into a hell of a snake, a person behind, said one wheel was actually off the the ground when the van was at full swing Being an auto, I floored the car and it steadied up enough to stop on the hard shoulder, both kids crying in the back and we were shaking, but bloody lucky. I never overtake going down hills now.

01-06-2015, 14:15	#18
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	I find large Sprinter type vans flying past can make the van fidget, the worst things I find are car transporter lorries, as these leave a very unbroken slip stream and you can feel the van moving until I get out to overtake.

01-06-2015, 18:18	#20
micktheshed Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: warwickshire Vehicle: Dec 2004, terrano 3l Auto Posts: 313	Unless things have changed recently (well the past 10 years then LOL). 50mph on 'normal roads & duel carriageways with no central barrier 60 mph on M/W & D/C with central barrier. Since I got 'done' for speeding (36 in a 30 limit) when i first had my auto Terrano (I blame the auto as I'd lost the road speed/engine noise to judge by, & the uselessly inaccurate speedo ) I tend to be watching the satnav for a true speed. Not that I consider this any safer! I've noticed that the 3l auto gives better consumption at around 55, & stays in lock-up longer, so that's the speed I tow at (when permisible, or if I can get away with it LOL).