Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
Browny90 wrote:
Nigel, Do you know A. Marriot?
If you mean Andrew Marriott who used to work for Witter Towbars, then yes, our paths have crossed.
8th May 2018 4:10 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
ChasD wrote:
Russell wrote:
Not sure where you have looked, but recently at the NEC caravan show all Swift caravans had ATC fitted as standard or within the list price.
There were other makes that did not have it fitted but they were few and far betweeen.
Highbridge Caravan Centre ltd, Somerset. The salesman also said, “ ATC isn’t really necessary, it depends on your vehicle.”
The caravan in question was a brand new Swift Challenger 560. ( the Conqueror had ATC)
It seems it’s a case of a salesman saying anything to sell!
Check of Swift website shows ATC as Factory fit option.
It’s not neccesary in the same way that ABS, Stability Control et al isn’t neccesary on a car.............until you need it!
8th May 2018 4:12 pm
Zikzik
Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: Nr Bath
Posts: 83
I have towed our Eriba Triton more than 1000 miles so far with my D4. It weighs only 1200kg all up but is low and aerodynamic compared to normal ‘vans. I an not suprissed it has not felt in any way unstable at speeds up to 70ish so far, but would be interested if Nigel has any stats on these Eriba’s ?D4 XS just sold. The best car I’ve owned. Over 10 years and no problems.
8th May 2018 7:40 pm
ratrunner
Member Since: 20 Nov 2015
Location: cotswolds
Posts: 195
I think you would be able to tow an Eriba at quite a fast speed. I had a Troll one of the best caravan we ever had until wife decided we want a bigger caravan with all mod cons..hence we have a Bailey Senator..brilliant caravan BTW
9th May 2018 10:39 am
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
I was quite happy towing our Airstream 532 at French AutoRoute limits - but it did get thirsty - now with their strange new laws I am never sure what our speed limit is so I stay around the 60 mark - and - that improved its MPG LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
9th May 2018 11:41 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
with the weight of that, Ted and the Disco - 56mph is the limit in France (for those of us that dont choose to ignore it)
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
9th May 2018 1:58 pm
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
I seem to recall reading an article stating that an Eriba Troll remained stable at 135kph towing speed. Not sure I would want to test that but there have been many times that my speed has crept up forgetting that I had our Eriba on the back.
9th May 2018 7:32 pm
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
I'm not about to advocate towing at speeds that are illegal or unsafe but it does surprise me how many caravanners stick religiously to an indicated 58 mph even if it means getting caught up with the HGVs. In reality they are probably only doing 54 mph.
I and my outfit are most comfortable at an indicated 62-63 mph in good road conditions which in reality is probably about 58-59. Obviously if conditions dictate I would reduce my speed.
On the way back from Somerset last weekend I passed a caravan doing what I would guess was about 52 at about 60 (my actual, indicated speed 63). The driver was clearly very agitated by my actions with lots of gesticulations as I passed him.
When the towcar tests are done at a track I presume a calibrated speedo is used to ensure each car is actually doing 60, rather than relying on the car's indicated speed?
10th May 2018 7:33 am
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
Cars are as supplied, but speeds measured with Race-Pro GPS devices.
10th May 2018 8:23 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
@ discoT. It's Muppets driving at 52 when they can be doing 60 legally that get caravanners a bad name. I don't know about theym jesticulating at you, it should have been the other way round.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
10th May 2018 8:35 pm
Dan1720v
Member Since: 28 Mar 2018
Location: Street/Somerset
Posts: 176
My old e61 535D with a Twin axle Brian James and Megane R26 track car on the back would happily tow at 90+. Wouldn’t even know it was there. My ex made a comment about how many cars/4x4’s towing horse boxes she’d been in where they’d described them as “not knowing it was there” but even she agreed that my setup was genuinely the only one that could hold truth to that.
20th May 2018 7:37 am
maxbasscat
Member Since: 03 Jan 2016
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 1267
D4mation wrote:
You can tow a caravan on French motorways at 80 mph
Many years ago on the motorway going down to Biarritz with top box on car thinking about the stability to watch a big Merc go past towing a speed boat 100+mph ......no pictures but true utter madnessD3 2.7 Zermatt silver (not another one)
D3 4.4 V8 Zambezi silver
D3 4.4 V8 Adriatic Blue
D3 2.7 (gone) Tonga Green
D3 4.4 V8 LHD Tonga Green
FFRR TDV8
Defender 300
20th May 2018 7:47 am
Barn1e D3 Decade
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
I am nearly 3000 miles into my trip and have been to 9 sites in 6 weeks towing our Bailey caravan. I have tended to stick to 65mph if conditions allow, that way i can avoid an HGV creeping up on me and overtaking. I would much rather be in control of that manoeuvre and choose when to overtake - avoiding bends or waiting to avoid a high-sided vehicle overtaking me whilst I am overtaking.
As regards the ATC, I have wondered if it really helps. Did not have it on previous caravan but have it on this one. The best set up for me is 100kg on the tow hitch and as much weight in Disco as possible. When we travelled with two boys, two Kayacks and 4 bikes the towing was even smoother than it is now. Glad i had the v8 brake upgrade!2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
20th May 2018 11:18 am
Tiger
Member Since: 13 Mar 2006
Location: Wales
Posts: 490
maxbasscat wrote:
D4mation wrote:
You can tow a caravan on French motorways at 80 mph
Many years ago on the motorway going down to Biarritz with top box on car thinking about the stability to watch a big Merc go past towing a speed boat 100+mph ......no pictures but true utter madness
Not with a Discovery you can't! unless whatever you're towing doesn't weigh much at all.
It's a bit of a daft law but hey it's French, the limit is gross train weight so our with our lightweight caravan + the disco the weight is over 3.5T
D4 = 2583 kg
Van = 1000kg (which is light)
=3583kg so we are limited to 90kph
If I was towing it with a much lighter car (such as a Ford Focus) I could do 130kph
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