Inconsiderate Caravaners

Lum

You don't even need to be towing a caravan to get that one idiot right up your backside who never overtakes.

Happened to me in an old VW Passat estate when I had a car engine in the back that manage to escape from some of the ropes we'd tied it down with, so had to take it rather steadily. I tried pulling to the edge of the road, left signal, waving the idiot past when it was safe to overtake but he wouldn't budge.

Eventually there was a layby and I had to pull over because of sheer embarrassment of the length of queue that had been created.

forgotmyname

Im a caravanner and the number of people who MUST PASS is mental sometimes.

Im sure some people think they can overtake the caravan and pull in between it and my towcar.

If it wasnt so dangerous it would be funny to watch people overtake me thinking its me holding them up when they overtake and find there is a vehicle in front of me.

I would love to fit cameras all round my car and caravan to record some of these idiots.

knightstyle

Well it was the A381 to Totnes and then A384 to the A38. Have a look, not many places to pass and it was a busy Friday. I was 3rd then 5th car with a white van away inches from my boot, we call them suppositories in France!

harveybobbles

I think ALL HGV's and caravans should be made to drive at night. This would free up the roads quitrea lot!

I also think that HGV's should be banned from using lane 2 of the motorways - Have you actually timed how long long it takes one lorry to overtake another lorry? Just so Bob san see if his 56mph is faster than Phil's 56mph.

Then you get about 3 or 4 miles of slower moving traffic behind.

mikey72

Most heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are banned from the French road and motorway network every weekend between the hours of 10 p.m Saturday and 10 p.m Sunday, and bank holidays. Works perfectly there, we need the same.

James_N

im-lost wrote: »

and your journey is more important because? im sure wherever you needed to go would still be there when you turn up.
You know the speed limit? its not there as a target, and even caravans have as much right to be on the road as you.

why should the caravan pull over? there's no law that says they should.

If anything, those flashing lights etc are the inconsiderate ones.

Your answer shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how to drive well: drivers should make "good progress". Driving at well below the posted limit for no reason is not good progress, and presents a danger to other users - not just inconvenience. If the caravan driver cannot reach near limit speeds on normal gradients, then the car / caravan set is underpowered - and therefore another danger.
Other drivers may well be frustrated and flash lights, etc, but this can't be recommended either.
It's normal to pull over - and in Wales I am happy to report that farmers, do do this if their route is more than field to field, lorries too.

James_N

forgotmyname wrote: »

Im a caravanner and the number of people who MUST PASS is mental sometimes.

Im sure some people think they can overtake the caravan and pull in between it and my towcar.

If it wasnt so dangerous it would be funny to watch people overtake me thinking its me holding them up when they overtake and find there is a vehicle in front of me.

And, of course, you are leaving enough room for these overtakers, aren't you? Not just driving as close as you dare in an awkward "overtake if you dare" way.
I wonder.

gingerdad

neilmcl wrote: »

That simply isn't true. Caravans ARE allowed on to the Isle of Man as long as you have a permit, and these a rarely refused.

I lived on the isle of man for 5 years and never saw one. Been over 4 or 5 times a year since and also never seen one.

gingerdad

rev_henry wrote: »

Er, you do need to do an extra test to tow anything bigger than a small trailer now, just only applies if you got your licence within the last 10 years or so, I forget the date...

Good point 1997 I think is the date.

neilmcl

gingerdad wrote: »

I lived on the isle of man for 5 years and never saw one. Been over 4 or 5 times a year since and also never seen one.

That doesn't mean they're banned as the other poster stated!