Caravans

Theodoric · 30-07-2004, 19:30

Considering that, like Marmite, most people either hate or love caravans, I'm a little surprised that no-one has yet commented on the "ghettoising" of caravans. Personally, as I don't normally use the summer migration routes of caravans, I can afford to take a fairly relaxed attitude to them.

paulyoung666 · 30-07-2004, 19:42

there would be no problem if ppl used cars etc properly matched to caravans , part of the problem i believe is the fact that anyone with a car licence can hitch up a caravan to whatever they like and go off causing chaos as they go , if it was upto me i would want to see the driving licence reflect the fact that a car driver was tested and therefore qualified to tow a caravan , if the vehicle used to tow is suitably powerful enough then there should be no problem in keeping up a decent speed so therefore not causing too much of a problem , sorry rant over

i am going to get caned for this arent i

Chimaera · 30-07-2004, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

there would be no problem if ppl used cars etc properly matched to caravans , part of the problem i believe is the fact that anyone with a car licence can hitch up a caravan to whatever they like and go off causing chaos as they go , if it was upto me i would want to see the driving licence reflect the fact that a car driver was tested and therefore qualified to tow a caravan , if the vehicle used to tow is suitably powerful enough then there should be no problem in keeping up a decent speed so therefore not causing too much of a problem , sorry rant over

i am going to get caned for this arent i

Not at all - I agree entirely!
Nothing worse than driving through the lovely Peak District a few years ago - lovely scenery and narrow country lanes through some pretty steep hills - and at the front of the VERY long queue was some plonker towing a caravan with a Vauxhall Nova!

Julian · 30-07-2004, 19:55

They should also be subject to a sort of MOT and pay additional road tax.

<edit> this should apply to ALL trailers.

30-07-2004, 20:02

my dad has a caravan, but he does have a fairly descent sized car a Citron Picasso and he is always going on about people with small cars trying to drive with a caravan on the back

bopdude · 30-07-2004, 20:40

Well just keep off the roads around here for a while, i'm gonna be moving my static soon, I'll try and get something bigger than a Nova though

iadom · 30-07-2004, 21:59

I had a caravan for several years, took it round France as well as the UK, always used a large Volvo estate for towing and could easily maintain 60 mph plus up or down hill, and having worked on farms for many years was fully conversant with the skills required for towing. I agree that some sort of test should be applied to people that want to tow anything bigger than a wheelbarrow. More traffic hold ups are caused by HGV's that are speed limited, one doing 58 mph trying to overtake one doing 57 mph whilst at the same time tailgating the lorry in front.

And most of the news reports including the BBC used the incorrect phrase "restricted to the slow lane" there is no slow lane on a motorway, 70 mph is the limit in all lanes, the second, third and fourth lanes are for overtaking only.

th'engineer · 31-07-2004, 07:18

Caravans are OK if they if they have a nice 4X4 at front or a powerfull volvo

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When they are pulled by small cars thats when they are a nuisance

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I have also had caravans and they are capable of keeping up with traffic if driven correctly

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You also need confidence and training to do this properley, many people incorrectly load them or drive the rig incorrectly

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The speed restriction is a good thing should have kept it at fifty as it was a few years ago for all caravans

31-07-2004, 07:48

they are pretty much a nuisance no matter what is pulling them. They weave around all over the place, they are limited to 60mph and as previously touched on in here a lot of the people towing them have no idea what to do if it gets out of control.
I've seen it a dozen times, someones pride and joy starts snaking and they slow down!!!!

Wham, one caravan reduced to matchsticks, one rear axle of car wiped out and car very probably on its side.
One hell of a disruption when it happens as usual on the M1 or M25.

Caravans should have to travel at night after say 10pm and up until 6am.

paulyoung666 · 31-07-2004, 10:47

they only snake if they are not setup properly

iadom · 31-07-2004, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

they are pretty much a nuisance no matter what is pulling them. They weave around all over the place, they are limited to 60mph and as previously touched on in here a lot of the people towing them have no idea what to do if it gets out of control.
I've seen it a dozen times, someones pride and joy starts snaking and they slow down!!!!

Wham, one caravan reduced to matchsticks, one rear axle of car wiped out and car very probably on its side.
One hell of a disruption when it happens as usual on the M1 or M25.

Caravans should have to travel at night after say 10pm and up until 6am.

Far more serious accidents caused by HGV's and cars travelling to close than by caravans. A good setup with correct stabilisers will not snake.

paulyoung666 · 31-07-2004, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by iadom

Far more serious accidents caused by HGV's and cars travelling to close than by caravans. A good setup with correct stabilisers will not snake.

hey i just posted that

it is very true though , also the noseweight setup causes a lot of problems as well , how many times have you seen a cars rear sitting up or down in the air , its all down to noseweight of the caravan

iadom · 31-07-2004, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

hey i just posted that

it is very true though , also the noseweight setup causes a lot of problems as well , how many times have you seen a cars rear sitting up or down in the air , its all down to noseweight of the caravan

Experienced caravanners always refer to their "unit" ...the towing vehicle and van as one, correctly matched for weight, power etc.

jazzy · 31-07-2004, 19:06

They are a nuisance like HGV'S, only they tend to use rural roads!
Biggest problem is overtaking them which is probably when most of the accidents occur. If you are trying to overtake its a two vehicle maneuver you have to consider and on top of that with restricted vision! So they are definitely a right pain!

paulyoung666 · 31-07-2004, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy

They are a nuisance like HGV'S, only they tend to use rural roads!
Biggest problem is overtaking them which is probably when most of the accidents occur. If you are trying to overtake its a two vehicle maneuver you have to consider and on top of that with restricted vision! So they are definitely a right pain!

in your considered opinion of course

, how many times have you overtaken 2 cars at once ????????? , if you have then you have overtaken more than 1 car/caravan combo aint you