Towing long distances

S_N

S_N

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As many of you know I am in the process of moving. I will be towing B overnight, from Cornwall to East Cambridgeshire. I have just had a thought about fuel stops - how do I find out which services are 24hr on the route I am taking? I have 2 routes to choose from, bearing inmind I will be setting off at 8pm.

Route 1 = A30, M5, M42, M6, A14, A10 = by car 6hrs 13mins

Route 2 = A30, M5, A30, A303, M3, M25, M11, A11, A142 = by car 6hrs 8mins

I'm more inclined to go for Route 1, as it will be less twisty for B!

All help MUCH appreciated!! Thanks!!
 
Only Mrs B? No Hector??
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I think you can ask the AA. they sent me a map before and it had petrol stations on it I think. good luck with your journey.
 
I would go route one much smoother for B. The A303 particularly at the beginning is a S**t road. All the motorway services wll be open so that should not be too much of a problem.
 
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Only Mrs B? No Hector??
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Hector is staying at his Dad's till I can find somewhere that will take a youngster!
 
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I would go route one much smoother for B. The A303 particularly at the beginning is a S**t road. All the motorway services wll be open so that should not be too much of a problem.

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Ha ha - yes, the A30/303 is FAB road eh - well it is in good weather, when you're not towing, not in a rush and there aren't loads of other cars on the road! I'd love to live in the Blackdowns!! Am very familiar with that route, as I travelled home weekly for my day off when I worked at Catherston - it's only my familiarity with the route, that made me suggest it + I have towed that way to Dorset before now.

Ahhh OK - that's definitely sold route 1 for me - wasn't sure if they would all me open 24/7 or not. Thanks for that hun!!
 
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cor blimey!!! can you google it ? OR.. I expect there is a site which tells you where petrol stations are

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lol - the AA route planner shows all the services - so fingers crossed eh - I have breakdown with the horsebox/trailers association thingy, so all should be ok!
 
Good Luck

I would check the travel news before you go or as you are travelling because an accident or something and you will need to revert to B. There is nothing worse than getting stuck in traffic!
 
Route 1 will be the best.

If you go onto organisation of horsebox and trailer owners they have tips for travelling long distances and an aa route planner.

Also check your roadside recovery is up todate and that your membership card in in your car.

Check also the highways agency website for listing any roads which are closed overnight!! That may influence your trip!

Allof the petrol stations on the motorways are 24 hours-the rest of the services usually have a basic shop open.

Good luck
 
Oh how exciting! Yes you will be fine on the M'ways as pretty much 100% are 24 hour - you should only need to stop twice at the VERY most (would have thought once would do but depends on your tank) and you can do those on the M'way and then on the A road
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Route One will definitely be the easiest route for B, not so twisty but you must watch yourself that you don't become hypnotised (spl!) and drowsy as it is so easy!
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Play lots of loud music and sing - told you those lessons would come in handy! - keep the windows open and take regular breaks for coffee and a leg stretch so you can check on B too.
If you stick to motorway the services will be open for fuel (last one on M6 is Corley I think) there are one or two on the A14 that stay open too due to the ferry traffic; think there's one at Thrapston, sure local bods can tell you but as long as you stop at Corley and top up you'll have more than enough to get you to base.

What about top doors, shut or open? Will she mind lights glaring in behind her if open as lorry lights are a lot higher than cars; I know mine would be upset if I left them open plus I'm always worried in case something gets hooked around the door or fittings and starts pulling trailer sideways which happened to a friend of mine, very scary! That's why I suggest breaks where you can open jockey door for a bit more fresh air else she might start sweating.

Hope you have a lovely trip and get settled in really quickly - what an adventure!!
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Route 1 will be the best.

If you go onto organisation of horsebox and trailer owners they have tips for travelling long distances and an aa route planner.

Also check your roadside recovery is up todate and that your membership card in in your car.

Check also the highways agency website for listing any roads which are closed overnight!! That may influence your trip!

Allof the petrol stations on the motorways are 24 hours-the rest of the services usually have a basic shop open.

Good luck

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GREAT advice!! Thank you!!!
 
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Route One will definitely be the easiest route for B, not so twisty but you must watch yourself that you don't become hypnotised (spl!) and drowsy as it is so easy!
frown.gif
Play lots of loud music and sing - told you those lessons would come in handy! - keep the windows open and take regular breaks for coffee and a leg stretch so you can check on B too.
If you stick to motorway the services will be open for fuel (last one on M6 is Corley I think) there are one or two on the A14 that stay open too due to the ferry traffic; think there's one at Thrapston, sure local bods can tell you but as long as you stop at Corley and top up you'll have more than enough to get you to base.

What about top doors, shut or open? Will she mind lights glaring in behind her if open as lorry lights are a lot higher than cars; I know mine would be upset if I left them open plus I'm always worried in case something gets hooked around the door or fittings and starts pulling trailer sideways which happened to a friend of mine, very scary! That's why I suggest breaks where you can open jockey door for a bit more fresh air else she might start sweating.

Hope you have a lovely trip and get settled in really quickly - what an adventure!!
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Wonderful advice thank you!! I had thought to travel her with the interior light on and the door behind her (right hand side) closed. I the weather is VERY windy, then both will be closed!! Am gonna have a thermatex on standby, as she may get chilly - I know she's not clipped, but still!! She'll have soaked hay, a likit and carrots when we stop and the offer of water obviously!!

I've bought Homer's Odessy on CD to listen too - I never finished the book! Also have 4 Eddie Izzard CD's and LOTS of good music!! I won't be alone though, as my friend will be coming with me - though she may be sleeping (if I let her - *evil laugh*)
 
Just one thought, should you break down call the horsey breakdown directly, we made the mistake of calling the AA first, our natural reation to a problem with the jeep not starting parked in a field. It took us over 30 hours to eventually get home with then the possibility of having to pay for the trailer to be towed the 5 hours home to Wilts from Staffs. Our nightmare day! but worth remembering if anyone should find themselves in this situation.
Good luck with your trip.

We have been looking at similar problems we might encounter in the States on our trip, our trailer will be 41' long so not that easy to manoever in tight spaces!! We have been told to use truckers stops and if we get stuck anywhere the Walmarts allow you to camp in their carparks overnight and even have horse stalls in some of them!! How civilised!
 
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They usually are fine here GTs for artics
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It could well just be our big goose-neck trailers.
 
I would think only 1 fuel stop would be necessary. My jeep 2.5ltr petrol will tow from northampton to cheshire and back on a tank of fuel. Just over 5 hours.
I would recommend filling up when tank is half full. Nothing worse than getting low on fuel and worrying where the next fill up is.
 
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