Safe Maximum Towing Speeds

[tim-spam]

There has been some 'discussion' recently concerning the maximum safe speed at which to tow a caravan, with questions raised over how long it takes to stop. Some have even been flatly accused of driving dangerously just because they touched 70 mph whilst towing a caravan (what's more, by those who have never towed before!). As well as being potentially offensive, this is just plain wrong. In fact, this question is very similar to asking what the maximum safe speed to drive any vehicle is, and the answer is that it really depends upon factors such as the prevailing road conditions, the capability of the vehicles and the capability of the driver. In many cases, it also has little to do with the speed limit.

 

Well, from someone who has done a considerable amount of towing, and therefore has at least some knowledge, here are a few facts concerning stopping distances.

A typical car / caravan outfit will have a stopping distance of about 20% longer than the car alone, and if we allow for the same reaction time in each case, the braking distances on a typical road surface are as follows:

Car alone from 20mph - 12m; Car / caravan from 20mph - 13m

Car alone from 30mph - 23m; Car / caravan from 30mph - 26m

Car alone from 40mph - 36m; Car / caravan from 40mph - 41m

Car alone from 50mph - 53m; Car / caravan from 50mph - 61m

Car alone from 60mph - 73m; Car / caravan from 60mph - 84m

Car alone from 70mph - 96m; Car / caravan from 70mph - 111m

Car alone from 80mph - 122m

 

Now, whilst caravans are limited to 60mph on British motorways, it is legal to cruise at 70mph on French autoroutes, and you can see that the car / caravan outfit can actually stop more quickly from any speed than a car alone travelling just 10mph faster, and my experience tells me that, whether I am cruising at 60mph in the UK, or 70mph in France, cars are consistently overtaking me at speeds well in excess of 10mph more than me. In other words, should the worst come to the worst, a car towing a caravan could stop in a considerably shorter distance than the cars around it.

 

The records of most insurance companies show that car / caravan combinations have a far lower accident rate than for cars alone - I guess that says it all really.

 

Just one more thing - a fully laden 40 tonne artic. takes between 2 and 3 times the distance to stop as a typical car - something to think about next time you see one bearing down on your rear.......

[cartman]

So the moral of this story is don't drive behind a caravan while being tailed by a lorry. :lol:

[Guest MATT jr]

the last time I opened my gob I was bambarded by mainly false comments.

 

like "how would he stop in an emergency?" - well der, as speed increases so does my distance from the car in front.

 

and "excellent drivers don

[RADIOTWO]

 

 

Well, from someone who has done a considerable amount of towing, and therefore has at least some knowledge, here are a few facts concerning stopping distances.

A typical car / caravan outfit will have a stopping distance of about 20% longer than the car alone, and if we allow for the same reaction time in each case, the braking distances on a typical road surface are as follows:

Car alone from 20mph - 12m; Car / caravan from 20mph - 13m

Car alone from 30mph - 23m; Car / caravan from 30mph - 26m

Car alone from 40mph - 36m; Car / caravan from 40mph - 41m

Car alone from 50mph - 53m; Car / caravan from 50mph - 61m

Car alone from 60mph - 73m; Car / caravan from 60mph - 84m

Car alone from 20mph - 96m; Car / caravan from 20mph - 111m

Car alone from 80mph - 122m

 

 

 

First things first! I see from the list that the sixth one down is 96 mts from 20mph !! I think that should read 70mph !!

 

 

But to get to the point, I wonder if you have done these test your self?

 

I cannot see how it can take 20% more with a caravan on the hook, as when you are towing you have brakes on the caravan and these are more efficient than car brakes, so when you try and pull up with a van

on the hook, you should pull up quicker, and if you have a twin axel the even more so.

 

I have a 3500GVW trailer and when I have that on the back, I can pull up a lot quicker than solo

 

So if when you are calculating your stopping distances, I sugest you get your brakes sorted !

 

Radiotwo

[Guest MATT jr]

i fully agree with the brakes.

 

the caravans brakes are very effective,,, we used to have a twin axle super storm - which had trouble with its brakes sticking on when u use the handbrake - the 3 litre tow car had trouble pulling it off the ferry, when they stuck on once.

 

i had to perform an emergency stop on my towing test - and theres little increase - its just people firing around weights of trailer - but the way u go about an emergency stop is, how u say, "gentle" - after all - u dont want the caravan overtaking the car, now do we.

 

a coach weighs considerably more than our rig, and carries far more passengers - yet thats allowed to do 70 on our roads.

 

so why are caravans limited to 60 - when artics - that are far larger and far heavier are also restricted to 60.

 

i think the problem is un-suitable rigs - where u have a toyota aygo, trying to tow a bad ass bailey.

it cant manage its speed, and the tow car has no stability or control of the caravan its towing.

--this is when you have problems--

 

asin our galaxy weighs just shy of the 1,900 KG mark - and we know that cos weve had it weighed in its "kerbweight" configuration. - the caravan is tops 1,350KG - its a WELL MATACHED outfit.

 

MJR

[anadin]

the last time I opened my gob I was bambarded by mainly false comments.

 

like "how would he stop in an emergency?" - well der, as speed increases so does my distance from the car in front.

 

 

no doubt those who wernt there, and have not towed at 70, will be moaning...

 

MJR

 

i asked you that question mjr, and iirc it was in relation to you keeping up with the leader who you then said after some contradiction was doing 75-80,

 

this thread was closed but if you want it refer to it, fine by me, i have towed for many years , and yes in a controlled straight line stop, not too bad but the car has abs does the caravan, try doing your gentle stop at 70 in the wet, whilst trying to turn to miss the car in front with a fully laden car and caravan, now i doubt wether 60 or 70 there would be much difference , youd be lucky to escape in just the car ,

 

the thread deviated more i think due to your attitude and boasting about speed not speeds of towing

 

and one more thing , i let you off with the "matey" in the last thread , but dont start with the "well der" on here, from behind your keyboard son-ie

[tim-spam]

Sorry about the 20mph - yes it should have been 70mph - I'll edit my post.

 

Now, about stopping distances. These are not my own personal measurements, but are based upon figures from the caravan industry.

20% extra distance is an approximation, and is a typical figure - some outfits will be better, others worse. As regards the brakes being better (or I should say sharper) with a caravan or trailer in tow, this is just how they feel in normal driving. However, in an emergency situation, things are a little different. Caravan brakes are designed so that they should not lock up in an emergency, and as locking the wheels would be highly dangerous, the braking effort of the caravan is limited accordingly to well below that for the maximum possible retardation. The other big factor is that caravans are equipped with drum brakes, which tend to grab on initial application (due to the 'self servo' effect of the leading shoes), making them feel sharp. However, this effect very quickly disappears as the drums expand with heat. In addition, when stopping from high speed, drum brakes suffer from considerable fade, leading to a reduction in performance and demanding more of the tow car's brakes.

 

20% extra stopping distance is a good guide, and it is always prudent to leave extra space between yourself and the vehicle in front when towing.

 

The main reason for my original post was to reassure people that high speed towing with a properly set up and matched outfit is perfectly safe and does not pose any undue risk either to those in the towcar or elsewhere.

[Guest MATT jr]

i did write a lengthy reply to ur post, but i dont want this thread to go down the same route as the last 1.

 

i still say 70 is as safe as 60 for towing a well matched outfit. - an unmatched out fit is not even safe at 60, in my view.

 

MJR

[adrianf.]

YAWN YAWN YAWN

Sorry just dropped :lol: of there for a second

[anadin]

sorry for deviating tim, it was just the "well der" bit :lol: carry on :D good info :D

[tim-spam]

Well, deviation in moderation never hurt anyone.

[Guest HairyPlateEater]

hmmm very vague comments precede the highly acurate statistcs on stopping figures (typical used twice, about used once, approximation used later on)

 

98% of all statistics are made up

 

Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.

 

Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable.

 

And my favourite ..... The average human has one breast and one testicle.

 

Interesting concept Tim, but when is driving ever in typical, predictable conditions. People drive too fast which is their choice, but when too fast could easily derogatorily affect other peoples lives it isn't on.

 

Here are 2 more interesting statistics for you, for what they are worth (see sarcasm above)

 

In 2001, the UK had 32million cars on the road and 3598 road fatalities.

In 2001, France had 29million cars on the road and 8162 road fatalities.*

 

Safer to drive faster in France? I don't think so.

 

* Statistics taken from the road safety observations section of the European Commision website, not from "the caravan industry"

 

Edit: Just re-read this post:

The main reason for my original post was to reassure people that high speed towing with a properly set up and matched outfit is perfectly safe and does not pose any undue risk either to those in the towcar or elsewhere.

 

Wow ... that's one hell of a sweeping statement to make!! any statstics to back that up! :)

[NikpV]

Here are 2 more interesting statistics for you, for what they are worth (see sarcasm above)

 

In 2001, the UK had 32million cars on the road and 3598 road fatalities.

In 2001, France had 29million cars on the road and 8162 road fatalities.*

 

Safer to drive faster in France? I don't think so.

 

another statistic - surely it depends on miles driven not just cars on the road

 

 

derogatorily

 

memo to self: read more dictionaries :)

[Guest MATT jr]

i am aware the french have a far higher number with road fatalities, but, from what iv seen its not all about the speed.

 

French drivers have no courtesy whatsoever,

they will run red lights, if they think nothings coming,

they never stop at zebra crossings,

they are forceful in the way of driving,

display no awareness of whats around them, or prediction of what might happen.

 

the french speed limits are very low in built up areas (lower than ours), only on straight motorways/dual carriageways are there speeds faster.

 

observations

the french ignor the speed limits in built up areas, and do what they like.

the max speed on a motorway is 130KPH - yet few choose to do that - and tend to go anywhere around 60 to 75.

 

MJR

[anadin]

French drivers have no courtesy whatsoever,

they will run red lights, if they think nothings coming,

they never stop at zebra crossings,

they are forceful in the way of driving,

display no awareness of whats around them, or prediction of what might happen.

 

MJR

[/quote

 

 

:lol: :D to bloody right matt, too much wine i think

[tim-spam]

1) hmmm very vague comments precede the highly acurate statistcs on stopping figures (typical used twice, about used once, approximation used later on)

 

2) Interesting concept Tim, but when is driving ever in typical, predictable conditions. People drive too fast which is their choice, but when too fast could easily derogatorily affect other peoples lives it isn't on.

 

3) Safer to drive faster in France? I don't think so.

 

* Statistics taken from the road safety observations section of the European Commision website, not from "the caravan industry"

 

Edit: Just re-read this post:

The main reason for my original post was to reassure people that high speed towing with a properly set up and matched outfit is perfectly safe and does not pose any undue risk either to those in the towcar or elsewhere.

 

4) Wow ... that's one hell of a sweeping statement to make!! any statstics to back that up! :lol:

 

Oh dear, oh dear, let's deal with each point in turn:

 

1) The stopping distances quoted are typical for a dry road surface - what else could they be? Unless of course the precise coefficient of friction of the tyres, road surface, brake linings, etc, etc., ambient temperature, relative humidity, etc, etc was recorded during the tests! And then, how meaningful would those figures be?

It really is pretty simple - a car / caravan combination takes around 20% longer to stop than a car alone travelling at the same speed, and should be driven accordingly. And a car / caravan can stop more quickly from 60mph than a car alone from 70mph in similar conditions.

 

2) Of course, conditions vary, as do cars, caravans, tyres, people, etc. But yet again, in similar conditions, a car / caravan combination will take around 20% longer to stop than a car alone, and should be driven accordingly.

 

3) Where on Earth did you get that from?? It is legal to drive faster in France, and, by the way, just as in the UK, the motorways have a far lower accident rate than other roads.

 

4) As I said, if you observe most caravans on the motorway, they are being driven far more than 10mph slower than the cars around them, and can therefore stop in a considerably shorter distance. Just because a car / caravan outfit is being towed at 60mph (or 70mph) does not in itself imply any undue danger additional to the normal day-to-day hazards of driving. Again, this really is pretty simple stuff. We have all seen idiots driving past schools at emptying time at 30mph - legal, yes (ish), but safe......? Likewise, there are many who drive at 90+mph on clear motorways in good conditions, which, whilst illegal, does not necessarily pose any undue danger. Likewise again, there are some who tow caravans at 70mph on clear motorways, etc, etc. I think most people understand this.

[Guest bigelvis]

First day i bought my caravan (alpine sprite xl) i was on motorway overtaking, didnt notice my speed had crept to 70mph, when i felt like someone had rammed brakes on, checked rearview mirror to find that caravan was low at one side, pulled over to find my tyre had blown out on 'van, so il be stickin to speed limits in future, wasnt just the m6 that had skid marks that day il tell you lol.

[tim-spam]

Your problem was caused by a tyre that was either too old, damaged, faulty, of insufficient load capacity or under-inflated, and whilst failure would have happened more quickly at 70 mph than 60 mph, it would still have eventually failed at the lower speed.

 

For safety's sake, fit tyres of the correct load rating, properly inflated and change them at least every five years. Slowing down a bit is not good enough.

[big_kev]

another statistic - surely it depends on miles driven not just cars on the road

 

Probably the only sensible thing said on this column.

 

 

 

Unlike the comment from someone that they stopped quicker whilst towing than when not towing.........yeah right !

 

Also please do not tow anything ( with its own braking ) over 1.5 Tons with a Galaxy it is illegal and very dangerous.

 

Plus they do not have sufficient torque........no just kidding about that bit :16:

[El Dingo]

I once towed a caravan onto the hard shoulder in France, just north of Bethune. The (British) owner had got into an uncontrollable *slapper* and had slammed into the central reservation. So we hooked up the 'van onto my (factory fitted) towbar and dragged the offending item off the motorway. It was the only time I ever used the towbar.

 

True story.

 

It was scary to see that thing swing from side to side, with those high profile tyres almost rolling off the rims.

Edited February 19, 2007 by El Dingo

[RADIOTWO]

Unlike the comment from someone that they stopped quicker whilst towing than when not towing.........yeah right !

 

Big Kev,

 

I don't know who you are refering to to, but have you ever towed a trailer?

 

Radiotwo

[tim-spam]

Also please do not tow anything ( with its own braking ) over 1.5 Tons with a Galaxy it is illegal..

It's not.

Edited February 20, 2007 by tim-spam

[raymac]

you could try asking this bloke :46:

 

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/305691/caravan/

[Guest MATT jr]

oh dear...this was a smoldering log...think its just relighted!

 

MJR

[El Dingo]

you could try asking this bloke :lol:

 

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/305691/caravan/

 

It's a cracker! :rolleyes: