How fast do you drive your little lorry?

[asmp]

Was trundling along in my car yesterday on a duel carriageway doing just under 70mph and was surprised to be overtaken by a newish 2 horse little lorry. There was at least one horse on board. I only tow and keep to about 55 mph. With livestock on board I would have thought with the risk of the animals moving about it would be better to keep the speed down but perhaps I'm too safety conscious?

 

[ROMANY 1959]

I always have q of cars behind me... They can just wait my horses are more precious to me and their safety while I drive them places.
Anyway there are limits a 3.5 ton lorry can go, I understand its max 55 mph on dual carriage and max 70 on motorways. And on motorways not allowed in fast lane.
I don't drive fast full stop..

 

[Nosey]

Scary! I'm also a plodder..dread to think what wld have happened if she needed to stop in a hurry
:-(

 

[TiaPony]

I'll stick my neck out and say I do 70 on motorways.

 

[Doncella]

I mine could do 70 I'd be astounded, although I can crack on at 60 with a horse on board on the motorway.
However, given the roads in West Wales I usually trundle.

 

[ladyt25]

If 3.5T then I suppose there's no reason why they shouldn't be going at 70mph. In our 7.5T I would be doing about 60mph on a motorway.

 

[Mariposa]

In our 7.5 I get very overexcited if I get above 50 on the motorway when I have 3 ponies loaded. I would rather go slow and steady, I always leave myself lots of time to get anywhere.

 

[kaluki]

found this

http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/DefensiveDriving/Speed/UK_Speed_limits.html

my 3.5 ton empty . down hill with the wind behind, about 60.

loaded 40.

don't like going too fast especially with neds on board, incase I have to brake cause some numpty cuts in front.

Romany, its only hgv lorrys not allowed in fast lane.

 

[Limbo-the day-]

I also do 60-70.

 

[Brontie]

60-70 with a trailer.

 

[amandaco2]

In the 3.5t about 55-60 in clear traffic.
The 7.5t about 45-55 on clear traffic.fuel consumption seems best that way.
I leave lots of space and if there's lots more traffic I go about 45-50 . There's always some moron who cuts in front to get to a slip road or services....

 

[slumdog]

I have a 900 year old 3.5t, we do about 35, downhill, empty. Seriously though, about 50mph on motorways and it wouldn't go much faster anyway tbh

 

[A&C]

When we had a horsebox it was driven at 50-60mph on the motorway. (5.5 tonne lorry)
Now we have a trailer so it is illegal to go faster than 60mph.

 

[Fanatical]

I can't go faster that 56mph anywhere as the lorry has a limiter. It is a very odd feeling when you are on a motorway, already at the limit and start going downhill - it won't let you go any faster.
I am a plodder though anyway, usually have a queue behind.

 

[Nightmare before Christmas]

my 7.5 lorry goes 70 on motorway but uses alot of fuel so I tend to unless in a rush drive at 55-60 mph.

 

[RobinHood]

With 1 horse on board I sit at 55mph on the motorway. Lorry would like to do 60mph downhill but I can't be bothered playing leap frog with speed limited lorries.

With 2 horses I get excited if I reach 50mph downhill with the wind behind me.

Otherwise I just drive according to the road. On a 40mph winding road I probably do 20mph round the bends and 30mph on straight bits with a clear view ahead. If lay-bys are signposted well in advance I pull over to let traffic past.

 

[PeterNatt]

As they say it depends on road and weather conditions but horses are a live load and will move thus effecting the stability of the lorry or trailer.
Bear in mind what would happen in the event of a blow out - especially a front one.

 

[Nicnac]

Don't have a little lorry but know many who do who drive at 70mph with one horse on board (would never put 2 on a 3.5t personally).

Bit scary those who tow at 70mph - or just plain stupid....

I have had a blow out at 50mph on a dual carriageway with 2 horses on board. I just thank my lucky stars that it was a rear outside wheel on a 7.5t. Scary moment although lorry didn't move.

Am tempted by a 3.5t but they just a) don't have the payload I need with 2 horses and b) are single axle behind so only one wheel on each side. I feel safer with 4 wheels at the back for 2 horses.

 

[suzi]

I tend to 50-55mph on motorways as that's where the lorry feels most comfortable cruising, the fuel consumption is best and as already mentioned it avoids having to leap frog other limited lorries.

 

[kaluki]

Don't have a little lorry but know many who do who drive at 70mph with one horse on board (would never put 2 on a 3.5t personally).

Bit scary those who tow at 70mph - or just plain stupid....

I have had a blow out at 50mph on a dual carriageway with 2 horses on board. I just thank my lucky stars that it was a rear outside wheel on a 7.5t. Scary moment although lorry didn't move.

Am tempted by a 3.5t but they just a) don't have the payload I need with 2 horses and b) are single axle behind so only one wheel on each side. I feel safer with 4 wheels at the back for 2 horses.

y 3.5 ton box has single rear axles with 2 wheels either side,as I think most do.

 

[blackislegirl]

Equitrek quote 60mph as the max speed for their 3.5t Sonic. Mine does 60mph very happily on dual carriageways with one pony on board. I wouldn't exceed that speed, though. Ecven though it may be a cautious limit I bet the insurance co would not be pleased if I had an acccident whilst driving at over the manufacturer's recommended speed limit. Ot the police.

 

[scots]

With my horse on a motorway 55-60mph - without 70plus

On normal roads say a 40 I would do 40 without and much less depending on the road if I had horse on board.

 

[stencilface]

55-60, although Peggy would like to go faster downhill if I let her!

Nicnac we had a front blow out in our last lorry on a dual carriageway with one on board, mum was driving and it wasn't as unstable as you imagine it would be, came to a safe stop on the hard shoulder.

 

[IsabelleJ]

It astonishes me that anyone would do more than 60mph with a horse on board. As for the person who does 70mph towing, you are breaking the law - the maximum you are allowed to do on a dual carriageway/motorway is 60mph, and on a national limit single carriageway road it is 50mph.

I have followed someone towing their horse at over 70mph, and it was terrifying. The trailer was swaying all over the place, but they had no idea that there was a different speed limit for towing. The number of people who tow without knowing all the rules is also terrifying

Edit to add: you are also not allowed to travel in the outside lane of a 3 lane motorway when towing.

Isabelle