UK Speed Limits

Mikeact · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:38 am Post subject: UK Speed Limits

Just wondering...I tow a caravan and my outfit is more than capable of todays speed limits..in fact it's nice to tow overseas at a higher speed. However, I was wondering whether or not a Gatso or other, could identify that I am breaking the caravan speed limit, but not necessarily the posted road limit.
eg Towing at 70mph on motorways, is exceeding the caravan speed limit by 10mph. Is the technology such that a camera would be able to identify that I am, in fact, breaking the law ?

Darren · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:30 am Post subject:

There is but I'm not sure how it's deployed, there was a post on here from a HGV driver caught by Gatso at the lower limit he has to adhere to.
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Darren Griffin

Skippy · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

I don't know if it's true or an urban legend but I've heard that a Gatso can make a guess at the size of the vehicle based on how big the reflection of it's radar beam is and choose an enforcement speed based on that.
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Gone fishing!

Darren · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:57 am Post subject:

Other speed camera relates sites seem to back up the fact that Gatso's can differentiate between HGV and PLG. I doubt they would be clever enough to do so for Caravan's though although there are many reasons why you shouldn't be traveling at speed when towing regardless of the ability of your tow vehicle to achieve such speeds.
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Darren Griffin

Mikeact · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks Darren...not quite sure what you mean by your last point. I think that you're saying that other European countries are wrong with a higher towing speed limit than the UK ?

Darren · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject:

It was not my intention to offend anyone but as an ex Traffic Officer I personally think that the current limit is fast enough.

Many accidents that involve caravans are compounded by poor loading and lack of towing experience/skill. Whilst newer cars and better stabilisers may well allow faster speeds to be achieved more safely, what has to be considered is what happens when the unforseen occurs and the driver stamps on the brakes. An 18ft+ caravan being towed at 70mph does not act predicatably especially when poorly loaded.

I'm not anti caravan but do think that more stringent checks on loading limits and improved training need to be introduced as well as caravan MoT's (indeed any trailer). The new testing requirement is a move in the right direction but not enough.
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Darren Griffin

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

Have just returned from 4200 miles of caravanning in France and Italy:-

Your speed is usually measured at the Peage on Motorways.
The French speed limit for caravans is rather high.
The Italian speed limit for caravans is very low.
I would by choice, for safety reasons, tow at 65mph on the French Motorways [BMW 2.5 petrol engine and a short 12 feet caravan]
I am appalled at the people who overtake at speed downhill!
The loading of caravans is very important, two bikes and the noseweight of the caravan usually means poor loading, or a high 4x4 vehicle towball with the rear of the caravan almost touching the road.
The 50mph limit on UK 'National Speed Limit' roads is too slow and causes queues.

aj2052 · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:27 am Post subject:

As a caravanner I am with strumble, but cannot see the relevance of two Bikes?, as for GJF, caravans changed dramatically in the early nineties with a large reduction in weight and dynamics giving modern caravans a vast improvement in towabilty, it usally gives me great pleasure to see the boy racers off at the lights when they sit at the side of me blipping the throttle.

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

Border_Collie · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:30 pm Post subject:

As an ex-caravanner I could never see the point in rushing, my holiday started the minute I pulled out of my drive and finished when I pulled back in. If I came across a hold-up I would find a suitable place to park up, legs down and have a brew whilst watching others get redder and redder in the face. Caravanning should be a pleasure both for those towing and other road users.

If I tried rushing I was lucky to get 17mpg but taking it easier I could get up to 24. Mind you, that was with a 2.3 V6 auto and a heavy old van. Sad

Towing at a constant 50 for 250 miles takes 5 hours, at 60 it's 4h 10m but how often can you travel at a constant speed in England? The fifty minutes difference can easily be halved because of traffic or road conditions. Is 25 minutes really that important? NAH! Bon voyage. :D

aj2052 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 12:42 am Post subject:

Its not a matter of rushing, IMHO its more a case of comfort driving in being able to cruise at a comfortable speed particullary on motorways when you are stuck behind solo cars in the slow lane doing just 50 or under and also on dual carrigeways or A roads where a higher speed is of course traffic justifies it. I think a bit of flexibilty is needed. the most problems to caravanners is the desperate need of solo cars to pass caravans although the caravan is being held up by a solo car(s) or lorries in front of it.

Border_Collie · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:02 am Post subject:

aj2052 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:51 am Post subject:

Perhaps, perhaps not, Sorry I can only match 3 out of the four.
Caravans and speed surely is the Topic

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