Several years ago we saw a HGV come to grief on Porlock Hill, it was a rigid flat-bad and as he negotiated one of the hair-pins his rear bumper/under-rider grounded out, leaving the driven rear wheels spinning.
I know that feeling. I had a Corolla Estate in the eighties and going down an angled drive and turning left was never an issue. The car was traded in for a Passat and the first time I turn left I realised that the rear overhang was a lot longer than the Corolla as I got stuck with rear wheel hanging in the air. Very embarrassing!
In a straight line, it would only work for "proper" 4x4s with a rear-wheel drive bias - all the front-wheel drive based "soft-roaders" would lose too much weight over the front wheels and lose grip.
On the hairpin with a caravan, you'd need the bottle not to lift off the power as you go round it - so not for me either.
I'm surprised there isn't a Youtube of a caravan coming to grief on Chimney Bank.
Some front wheel drive biased 4X4 transfer drive to the rear when required. I went on a Land Rover Experience course and the Freelander with Haldex did just that, in fact when cross axled it could put drive to a single wheel. My two cars (Volvo and Superb) with Haldex 4wd were front biased for normal use, but transferred drive to the rear when required. Still did not help much exiting flooded CLs near Penrith.
Haldex FWD 4wd systems, like those from Borg Warner and Magna, use a centre clutch which can fully lock which splits the torque 50:50 - the brake ABS is then used to to transfer torque across an axle - they can put drive to a single front wheel but not a single rear wheel.Some front wheel drive biased 4X4 transfer drive to the rear when required. I went on a Land Rover Experience course and the Freelander with Haldex did just that, in fact when cross axled it could put drive to a single wheel. My two cars (Volvo and Superb) with Haldex 4wd were front biased for normal use, but transferred drive to the rear when required. Still did not help much exiting flooded CLs near Penrith.
Proper 4wd systems, ideally with a Torsen centre diff, are able to continually vary the torque split according to grip - however they are continually in use giving inferior fuel consumption.
I once towed up Porlock hill in North Devon. Perhaps 40 years ago. A Fiat 132 auto with a Srite Musketeer. This was due to my not doing proper jurney prep. But I made it without an issue. Worst thing was the road width varied so I had to stop a few times.
John
John
Unhitching was Plan A. Strangely enough the night before I woke in the night and in a semiconcious state started going over the route. This lead to wondering about what happens if the roads closed. It's happened to us before without the caravan.
When the situation arise we were on a slightly wider section so being optimistic I gave it a go and we did it. Much to the amusement of others I suspect and just in time before the emergency services came through.
Sadly this is the third fatality of a motorcyclist in the last week.
When we got to the site I still couldn't reverse onto the pitch. Did manage to parallel park in the local town though. Not something there's a lot of call for on Skye.
When the situation arise we were on a slightly wider section so being optimistic I gave it a go and we did it. Much to the amusement of others I suspect and just in time before the emergency services came through.
Sadly this is the third fatality of a motorcyclist in the last week.
When we got to the site I still couldn't reverse onto the pitch. Did manage to parallel park in the local town though. Not something there's a lot of call for on Skye.
Hmm! Never come across tgat one before, but it certainly exists. Below is from the Govt Road Signs manual.
Every day is a school day.
The alternative caravan route isn’t that suitable for HGVs given their greater size and weight. It’s pretty rural. Wonder what 74 is as a percentage of the whole, and was ‘ iffy’ weather a contributing factor in some blockages, or load shift perhaps. There’s a Phd in there for someone😱
I’ve driven solo many times on Sutton Bank. Of all the hills mentioned this is one I’d happily do with the caravan.
A shift load on any HGV is unacceptable today!
When we stayed at a CL in Hutton le Hole we drove Sutton Bank a few times as we toured around and I’d have been happy taking one of our outfits up it, we’ve seen similar driving in France. But as for load shifting it’s quite feasible, given we get reports of issues sometime on the M4 a level straight route. Not long ago a load of Marmite fell off and blocked the yeastbound carriageway.
Back in the winter near Junction 18 M4 a lorry overturned loaded with Vicks Vapour rub.
Police said there would be no congestion for eight hours.🤪
Police said there would be no congestion for eight hours.🤪
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