Am I driving too slowly?

[wombat1]

Two trips out now, the first 200 miles took 6 hours, the second 100 miles took 3hours 20 minutes. The road types travelled were mixed, but for the majority of the journey they were single carriageway A roads.

On average I am only achieving 30 MPH.

Is this a figure that other more experienced towers are achieving?

 

[rob_jax]

The very best towing speed you should achieve on single carriageway A roads is 50 mph, and often (in Bucks anyway) our country A roads have a limit of 50 mph or even 40.

Include a few town centres, stopping for coffee and toilet breaks, and towing on A roads can result in what appears to be quite slow average speeds.

Just tow safely, and if you do notice a queue of milk floats behind you, pull into a layby when convenient.

Robert

 

[Robert_374242026]

Disregard some remarks,30 mph is not that bad you might have been doing 60 mph at times.On some of my trips which i do around 1500/2000 miles my computer say's anything between 40/45 mph and i might have doing 60/70 mph at times. S o don't worry do what feels comfortable for you.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi Dadio

30mph average is reasonable for towing so don't worry 300 miles in 10hrs sounds about right to me

colin

 

[GeorgeB]

Dadio,

No, average of 30mph in the UK is about right for that type of roads, my last time out 2hrs 15 mins to tow 68 miles, about 45 of them dual cariageway or motorway.

The only time I achieve a "decent" average mph (45 to 50) is when I tow long distances in France, purely because I can maintain a consistant high speed for long distances on the excelent french motorway system

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello dadio

Average speed is dictated by the distance travelled and the time it takes. There are many factors that affect how fast you can travel, so for instance travel between Gloucester and Birmingham by motorway and at times you might achieve an average speed of 55mph, however change the time of day and that average may be much lower due to traffic.

Change the route to use the A38, and that would drop even lower, so trying to achieve a particular average speed is a not a realistic challenge here in the UK.

Provided you do not hold other traffic up unduly, travel at a safe and comfortable speed.

 

[emmitdb]

Greetings Dadio,

Last year whilst touring France and keeping off the motorways I took particular notice of things like average speed (got a car with one of those fancy computers)

I noted on three seperate occasions that despite doing 50mph when out of the towns and villages and keeping to 30mph when in the built up areas, my average was 38mph at the end of the three drives.

Take into account that the roads are better, wider and quieter in France, then your 30mph aint bad!!!

 

[Steve L]

Hi Dadio.

I wouldn't worry too much about speed, the most important thing is that you arrive safely.

Speed will grow with experience and confidence.

It takes me 45 mins to get from Leominster down the A44 and arrive at Fforestfields between Hundred House and Builth wells, which is a distance of 35 miles. The road is quite hilly and has many bends.

I tow a twenty foot twin axle van with my 2 Ltr Laguna estate.

Because I'm familiar with the road I can keep a good pace, but I never let complatencey get a grip.

The van is loaded the same for every trip and the nose weight checked before setting off. 75Kgs is good for us for stability, below 60Kgs and nodding creeps in.

Be safe take your time and don't let others goad you into doing speeds or driving on roads you don't feel comfortable with.

All the best Steve L.