Motorhome speed limits UK

[barryd]

Reading between the lines it sounds like you really don't like driving much at all, the opposite of me really.

I used to Kev but once the old van got so long in the tooth I hated it driving it. Loved the van itself though. Don't forget old Hank used to do 10000 miles a year and went all over Europe. Of course the scooter is the one that does all the miles and has done for many years. Usually more than the van on a long tour. For me that is where the real adventure is, the van just gets us there. I would much rather go up the Col du Tourmalet on the bike than the van but of course have done it more than once in / on both.

I am hoping that this new van will be much more of a joy to drive and ill rebuild that confidence in the vehicle I once had in the old one but our style of touring will remain the same. Longer stays in one place using the bike every day and the van as a base.

 

[linkshouse]

Trucks are 56mph or 90kph

Edited

I’m not sure what you’re classifying as truck but looking here https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits I can’t see anything with a 56mph speed limit. I’d have to say it seems an odd value.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I used to Kev but once the old van got so long in the tooth I hated it driving it. Loved the van itself though. Don't forget old Hank used to do 10000 miles a year and went all over Europe. Of course the scooter is the one that does all the miles and has done for many years. Usually more than the van on a long tour. For me that is where the real adventure is, the van just gets us there. I would much rather go up the Col du Tourmalet on the bike than the van but of course have done it more than once in / on both.

I am hoping that this new van will be much more of a joy to drive and ill rebuild that confidence in the vehicle I once had in the old one but our style of touring will remain the same. Longer stays in one place using the bike every day and the van as a base.

Yes, I get that, it's just not an option for us with no scooter rack.

I really do hope you get to liking it though mate, it is chalk and cheese compared to Hank, the engine alone is at least three developments on from him, not to mention the gearbox, steering and brakes are miles better, although the brakes don't feel it, but they are there when you really jump on them as I found out in France when some stupid woman just dragged her kids into the road

If I had the wherewithal I would like a larger van (not A class) and a garage large enough for a decent sized mobility scooter and room for two electric bikes that don't need to be pedalled (Liz does not have the bend in her knees to pedal a bike so it would need to be doctored) so Liz and I can just bugger off for the day like wot you two do.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I’m not sure what you’re classifying as truck but looking here https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits I can’t see anything with a 56mph speed limit. I’d have to say it seems an odd value.

Actually you are correct Sir (bow, scrape) they changed it a few years ago and I'd forgotten.

Ye Oldie Speed Limits

Hi all Not sure if this is the right place to ask but I was wondering about the speed limit of lorries over the last 50 or so years. I’ve been driving lorries for well over a decade now and all the stuff I’ve driven has been limited to at most 56 and some 52. I’m sure some of those supermarket...

www.trucknetuk.com

 

[barryd]

Yes, I get that, it's just not an option for us with no scooter rack.

I really do hope you get to liking it though mate, it is chalk and cheese compared to Hank, the engine alone is at least three developments on from him, not to mention the gearbox, steering and brakes are miles better, although the brakes don't feel it, but they are there when you really jump on them as I found out in France when some stupid woman just dragged her kids into the road

If I had the wherewithal I would like a larger van (not A class) and a garage large enough for a decent sized mobility scooter and room for two electric bikes that don't need to be pedalled (Liz does not have the bend in her knees to pedal a bike so it would need to be doctored) so Liz and I can just bugger off for the day like wot you two do.

I am sure I will like driving it Kev. I already do. Its not exactly exciting sitting on the motorway though but I always hated that in any vehicle. Well apart from the unrestricted M74 Autobahn between Gretna and Hamilton in my Prelude or Fiat 20v Turbo.

 

[mark61]

I’m not sure what you’re classifying as truck but looking here https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits I can’t see anything with a 56mph speed limit. I’d have to say it seems an odd value.

56 MPH is not the speed limit, but a 56 MPH limiter is mandatory.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I am sure I will like driving it Kev. I already do. Its not exactly exciting sitting on the motorway though but I always hated that in any vehicle. Well apart from the unrestricted M74 Autobahn between Gretna and Hamilton in my Prelude or Fiat 20v Turbo.

Oh no it'll never be exciting, just well up to the job, I always felt, even with the 2.8Jtd (which is no slouch) that I was physically carrying it, the new ones don't make me feel like that even though mine is only 100bhp it flies compared to previous vans, the 5 speed box is much better than the 6 speed too I feel, not sure what the ratios are but it does feel about right for how I like to meander about on back roads.

 

[barryd]

Oh no it'll never be exciting, just well up to the job, I always felt, even with the 2.8Jtd (which is no slouch) that I was physically carrying it, the new ones don't make me feel like that even though mine is only 100bhp it flies compared to previous vans, the 5 speed box is much better than the 6 speed too I feel, not sure what the ratios are but it does feel about right for how I like to meander about on back roads.

Feels like sixth is a bit of an overdrive. I think this van pulls much better than I think it does. I overtook a lorry last night on a steep uphill bit of the A1 and it was nearly hitting 70 in fifth. Old Hank would have been down to 50 in forth or maybe even dropping to third. You just dont feel it as its much more refined. The stereo is ace so thats all that matters.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I tried to google the various ratios on different models but not found anything useful.

 

[mark61]

Wouldn't be surprised if both 5th and 6th are overdrive gears.
Obviously I don't mean the old school overdrive, but the modern concept where any gear less than 1:1 ratio is an overdrive.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Mine are as thus

italiaspeed.com: Fiat Panda 4x4

italiaspeed.com: FIAT DUCATO X250

www.italiaspeed.com

 

[mark61]

Gear ratios are just that, gear ratios. It's the final drive that gives the real ratio as in terms of RPM to MPH.

I don't know about Fiat, but pretty sure they do it too, but my van will come with a different differential ratio if you, for example, have a factory fitted tow bar.
All will use the same gearbox, but there's a choice of around 5 final drive ratios they'll choose from.

 

[Nabsim]

Gear ratios are just that, gear ratios. It's the final drive that gives the real ratio as in terms of RPM to MPH.

I don't know about Fiat, but pretty sure they do it too, but my van will come with a different differential ratio if you, for example, have a factory fitted tow bar.
All will use the same gearbox, but there's a choice of around 5 final drive ratios they'll choose from.

Do you know what this means Mark?

SV DIFFERENTIAL GEAR LESS RING GEAR AND PINION ASSEMBLY - DIFFERENTIAL WITH 1 LOCK; CENTRE OF FLANGE 30; I =4.11

 

[r4dent]

If I had the wherewithal I would like a larger van (not A class) and a garage large enough for a decent sized mobility scooter and room for two electric bikes that don't need to be pedalled (Liz does not have the bend in her knees to pedal a bike so it would need to be doctored) so Liz and I can just bugger off for the day like wot you two do.

SWMBO also has a mobility problem, and couldn't cope with her electric bike.
She now has an electric trike with a thumb throttle so she doesn't need to bend her knees.
She has mastered "launch control". Brake on (which cuts the power); Throttle fully open; release brake and off like £$%^ off a shiny shovel.

We have a trailer large enough for her eTrike and my eBike. ( a lot cheaper than changing the MoHo)

Her trike (like most trikes) has an enormous basket. Our trug fits easily so I no longer have to carry stuff to the wash up area.

A lot slower than the 1100 BMW motor bike, but suits us in our current situation.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I did enough towing and nowhere for a trailer at home.

 

[GeoffL]

Note that some convertors put the MIRO as the unladen weight, so are you sure? Although judging on the size that might be correct.

@barryd : you need to check the definition of unladen weight/MIRO for your van and then subtract the mass of anything that can be removed without tools. Basically, the rules say you must include stuff that's usually used on the road, except for fuel -- but that doesn't include stuff you'd need for habitability. Even better, strip out all your soft furnishings, the spare wheel, jack, EHU lead etc. Take out any portable gas bottles, make sure all your tanks are empty, minimal fuel, etc. etc. then take it to a weighbridge and get a weight ticket. If that's 3.05 tonnes or less, you're good for the higher limits and have the evidence to prove it.

 

[mark61]

Do you know what this means Mark?

SV DIFFERENTIAL GEAR LESS RING GEAR AND PINION ASSEMBLY - DIFFERENTIAL WITH 1 LOCK; CENTRE OF FLANGE 30; I =4.11

No, no idea.

 

[barryd]

@barryd : you need to check the definition of unladen weight/MIRO for your van and then subtract the mass of anything that can be removed without tools. Basically, the rules say you must include stuff that's usually used on the road, except for fuel -- but that doesn't include stuff you'd need for habitability. Even better, strip out all your soft furnishings, the spare wheel, jack, EHU lead etc. Take out any portable gas bottles, make sure all your tanks are empty, minimal fuel, etc. etc. then take it to a weighbridge and get a weight ticket. If that's 3.05 tonnes or less, you're good for the higher limits and have the evidence to prove it.

I would rather spend a fortnight camped on an Industrial state with Kev!! Are you insane? Just spent over two weeks filling it up with stuff!

I think when it was weighed empty with a driver and a third of a tank of diesel and a bit of water it was 3380kg but if you look at that pic from the Swift Manual it has the official unladen weight at 3118kg I think anyway. I Doubt it will ever be an issue.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I would rather spend a fortnight camped on an Industrial state with Kev!! Are you insane? Just spent over two weeks filling it up with stuff!

I think when it was weighed empty with a driver and a third of a tank of diesel and a bit of water it was 3380kg but if you look at that pic from the Swift Manual it has the official unladen weight at 3118kg I think anyway. I Doubt it will ever be an issue.

I mentioned it once and you keep harping on about it, are you on female hormones too???

It actually was the quietest place we stayed on the whole trip, two cars left not long after we arrived and that was it., I even POId it just in case.

 

[barryd]

I mentioned it once and you keep harping on about it, are you on female hormones too???

It actually was the quietest place we stayed on the whole trip, two cars left not long after we arrived and that was it., I even POId it just in case.

Come on Kev! You only "have" to mention it once to get the pish ripped out of you on here!! Makes a change from it being me! I'm sure it was lovely!