Towing trailer - max speed?

[Orangehorse]

I have just read that the maximum speed for towing a trailer is 60 - but does that apply to horse trailers too?

I want to use my trailer on the motorway and I was going to get a sticker for the back with the speed, as many drivers do not seem to realise that the trailer is going quite slowly. However, I can't see that I would every drive at 60 with a horse in the trailer!

On my previous trailer I had a black on yellow sign that said "Slow Vehicle"
and I noticed that lorries used to start to overtake me from a long way back, which was good, but I don't know if it was strictly legal, as we weren't very slow.

I just want to alert following drivers that we are not speeding along at 70 and please don't ram into the back of my trailer.

 

[cm2581]

60 on a motorway and dual carriageway, 50 on single carriage way, no other 'special' rules with regard to speed. 60 on a quiet motorway with little or no wind not going downhill, fair enough. Add in traffic, wind or downhill and you're bonkers to say the least. But that goes for any trailer! I rarely go above 50, but do on occasion if the conditions make it sensible. Equally I stick to 40 on a motorway if conditions require!

 

[Orangehorse]

The thought of towing a trailer with a horse at 60 makes my mouth go dry with fear.

 

[gill84]

My mums hates towing on a motorway. She plods on at about 50 and gets passed by literally everything but better that than her fly along and not be comfortable. Put some caution horses stickers on the back if your really concerned

 

[Clippy]

If I have 2 horses on, I never go above 45. 50mph is IMO plenty fast enough on a motorway for anyone to travel livestock

 

[Bosworth]

Be careful, going too slow on a motorway is actually far more dangerous. You cause traffic to build up behind you, lorries can sit behind you. vehicles just do not see how slow you are going and are likely to ram you from behind. if you want to do less than 50 ( in good conditions) then really you should not go on a motorway. It is perfectly safe to tow a horse trailer at 60 provided that your towing vehicle is a decent 4x4 and is capable of towing the trailer ( loaded) with ease. As a driving instructor we always teach the learners to move towards the speed limit so as not to be a hazard to other road users. That is of course providing the conditions allow. I.e not down hill, not horrifically windy or with limited visibility. If you are struggling to drive towards the speed limit then you are actually far safer using the A roads and not the motorways.

 

[Flashpaddler]

I also never go above 50mph. I believe the BHS website has some really good pages on towing horses and how to make it as comfortable as possible for them.

 

[PorkChop]

I am one of those that does tow at 60mph on a motorway - I do think it depends what you tow with though.

If you are not happy going that fast then don't worry, but I would also worry about going too slowly.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I like hazard stripes, also a SLOW VEHICLE sign, to be honest I think "slow for horses" might only work for other horse aware persons
There is nothing to stop you sticking on "Max Speed 50" sign, or is there a ruling against that?

 

[tallyho!]

Why care? I travel at 50 on a m'way with horses/cattle all the time and no-one said anything nor have I been stopped for going too slow.

In my land rover, it will only go uphill at 30mph!!

I would worry about yourself and forget other people.

 

[Piglet]

Max speed is 60, I never go above 50 as the last thing I want is to fishtail, at least if you do start to swing, you are more a to accelerate out of it safely. Also a horse is a living animal and if you are driving too fast and horse moves around, it could cause you to sway. I am amazed to see trailers overtaking me and disappearing into the distance quickly when I am travelling at 50mph. Best to arrive late in this world than early in the next - includes the horse.

 

[perfect11s]

Be careful, going too slow on a motorway is actually far more dangerous. You cause traffic to build up behind you, lorries can sit behind you. vehicles just do not see how slow you are going and are likely to ram you from behind. if you want to do less than 50 ( in good conditions) then really you should not go on a motorway. It is perfectly safe to tow a horse trailer at 60 provided that your towing vehicle is a decent 4x4 and is capable of towing the trailer ( loaded) with ease. As a driving instructor we always teach the learners to move towards the speed limit so as not to be a hazard to other road users. That is of course providing the conditions allow. I.e not down hill, not horrifically windy or with limited visibility. If you are struggling to drive towards the speed limit then you are actually far safer using the A roads and not the motorways.

Exactly .. not many people object to a slow moving vehicle on non motorway roads esp if the driver isn't a selfish pig and pulls in to allow other vehicles to get past every so ofern,
however on the motorway its an terifiying sight to see a horse trailer limping along at about 45 its playing Russian roulet with the horses and people's lives!!!!, if you havent got a suitable tow car or arnt confident to drive at a safe speed stay off the motorway...

 

[Luci07]

Exactly .. not many people object to a slow moving vehicle on non motorway roads esp if the driver isn't a selfish pig and pulls in to allow other vehicles to get past every so ofern,
however on the motorway its an terifiying sight to see a horse trailer limping along at about 45 its playing Russian roulet with the horses and people's lives!!!!, if you havent got a suitable tow car or arnt confident to drive at a safe speed stay off the motorway...

I don't agree. I think 60 is really pushing it whatever you are towing with. I have a heavy trailer, very big horse and a Jeep and stick to 50. If I slip over 50 I can feel that the trailer is not so "grounded". I stick on the inside lane and never have a problem, neither am I holding up traffic either. I personally also prefer to have a little leeway so I can accelerate out of a slip stream when a particularly large lorry goes past. I drive a lot in my job and used to live in London so am experienced - and normally a lot quicker but not with my boy on the back of my car.

 

[LMuirEDT]

Exactly .. not many people object to a slow moving vehicle on non motorway roads esp if the driver isn't a selfish pig and pulls in to allow other vehicles to get past every so ofern,
however on the motorway its an terifiying sight to see a horse trailer limping along at about 45 its playing Russian roulet with the horses and people's lives!!!!, if you havent got a suitable tow car or arnt confident to drive at a safe speed stay off the motorway...

Agree. I think it's up to the individual really but I think towing at 60mph is fine as long as conditions permit. Imagine towing ur horse and suddenly finding urself catching up with someone else going dramatically slower cos that's what it's like for lorry drivers.

 

[tallyho!]

You should never accelerate out of a fishtail.

 

[perfect11s]

I don't agree. I think 60 is really pushing it whatever you are towing with. I have a heavy trailer, very big horse and a Jeep and stick to 50. If I slip over 50 I can feel that the trailer is not so "grounded". I stick on the inside lane and never have a problem, neither am I holding up traffic either. I personally also prefer to have a little leeway so I can accelerate out of a slip stream when a particularly large lorry goes past. I drive a lot in my job and used to live in London so am experienced - and normally a lot quicker but not with my boy on the back of my car.

It might be a good idea to have your outfit checked over to check the tow ball is at the correct hight the tyres are matched and corectly inflated and the axles and suspension on the trailer are ok etc, these can cause stability issues and the symtoms you describe...

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Most people I know tow as if they have forgotten there are horses in the back......I prefer to stick to 50mph, still get there on time, horses don't get swung about and have never found my speed to be an issue with other road users, I always let people past if at all possible.

 

[ROG]

CAUTION HORSES is a much better sign as it informs other road users that you may have to drive differently to accomodate the horses

This will assist other road users for all situations especially roundabouts where you do not want the horse to be slung from one side to another in a short space of time.

SLOW VEHICLE does not say why it is so and other road users may say to themselves - why are you here now annoying me if you know it is slow? - sad but true

 

[Piglet]

On reading all the posts, I think it is down to personal choice, I for one will be sticking to my 50mph, I do very little motorway or dual carriageway driving, I am a confident driver with my C+E licence, I have a good 4x4 pick up, Batemans trailer (I also check tyres of said trailer before every journey). I just an happier towing at 50, a friend of mine is a vet and she has attended several overturned trailers where the blame lies on the driver going too fast.

 

[lilaclomax]

I agree that the CAUTION HORSES is the best sticker to put on the back of the trailer.

The maximum speed is 60 whilst towing on motorways and dual carriageways and you can only use the first two lanes of the motorway, the maximum is 50 on single carriageways.

At present there is no law regarding minimum speeds but if driving too slow and deemed to be a danger to others around you, there may be a risk of prosecution for dangerous driving. With the 80 mph discussion due to take place in the near future there may also be an additional advisement to minimum speeds, the minimum mph is not likely to made law though as it would be difficult to enforce due to traffic build up, road works etc...

For those who have recently taken their Class 1 and 2 tests the advice is to try not to go less than 1/4 (25%) of the speed limit on 'A' roads and motorways - that equates to 52.5mph on the motorway and 45 mph on Dual carriageways.

As others have said to stay on the safe side, if you do not feel comfortable driving between 50 and 60 and there are other options for you to use to reach your destinations then please consider these.

 

[ROG]

Speed limits and rules when towing are listed in the highway code so that should not be an issue

One that gets many thinking - a dual carriageway with 3 lanes in each direction - Can a trailer be used in lane 3?

 

[Luci07]

It might be a good idea to have your outfit checked over to check the tow ball is at the correct hight the tyres are matched and corectly inflated and the axles and suspension on the trailer are ok etc, these can cause stability issues and the symtoms you describe...

Jeep has just had its MOT and Trailer was checked over at the beginning of the year for its annual service. I am also very "hot" on tyre pressures and have a tyre checker/pressure so I can check my trailer at home. I know its acdurate as every now and then I will do the Jeep at a garage and check it against my own gauge at home.

I have seen someone towing in front who was obviously going a lot faster than me and their trailer was starting to move. She was driving an Ifor as well.

Thanks for the tips but its not the case with my trailer and car.

 

[Luci07]

Speed limits and rules when towing are listed in the highway code so that should not be an issue

One that gets many thinking - a dual carriageway with 3 lanes in each direction - Can a trailer be used in lane 3?

Legally yes, but .... why ever would you?!!

 

[Luci07]

You should never accelerate out of a fishtail.

Never been in that sitatuation but was told a long time ago to accelerate a bit when a very large lorry goes past. I won't question it cos knowing my luck I will ignore that and something WILL happen.

 

[Shazzababs]

I normally find myself a nice big artic to sit (not too close) behind. They do about 55mph.

Definately depends on the towing vehice though, with a Defender I have towed at 60 and its smooth and controlled, but my mother tows her pony with a mondeo estate and that is scary above 40. Another reason for having a decent 4x4 which is made for the job.

 

[biccie1]

If you have a correct towing combination (with everything as it should) towing at 60 (road conditions permitting of course ) should not lead to any unstableness etc. If it does there is something wrong.

If you feel the trailer start to move behind you should not accelerate or brake, simply ease off the pedals and allow the trailer to fall back in behind you correctly.

I can see why we cannot have minimum limits but I do agree that if you are not comfortable towing at a minimum of 50mph you should not be on a motorway. Simply because it is not fair on other road users. I hate having to pull out into the second lane when I am only doing 50-60mph because someone in the slow lane is driving too slowly. Trying to pull out into the second lane with a trailer (doing 50-60mph) on a busy motorway (everyone else doing 70mph etc) is a nightmare and it drives me mad that I am forced to do it due to someone else not being able to drive at motorway speed.

I believe that when travelling on a decent motorway (this is where road conditions come in) the horse will not feel any difference really between 45 and 60mph if you are travelling in a straight line and safely. It is poor driving that causes a bad travelling experience for a horse rather than being towed at 60mph.

 

[flyingfeet]

I used to tow at 60mph on motorways - my rig is good and my trailer never felt light (unless blowing a gale, and then I either didn't go or went slower)

Like others I will choose a HGV to park behind, this stops lorries cutting in too close in front (remember to flash them once they are a safe distance past!)

I don't think travelling a horse on a straight road at 60mph poses any hazard. I also have cctv so I can keep an eye on

However I think people go far too fast round corners with their trailers and I've seen many mount the curb. A horse is most likely to fall over, get frightened or have an accident whilst navigating a bend.

 

[ROG]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7171154.stm

Too slow and its a prosecution

 

[ROG]

I also have cctv so I can keep an eye on

For the driver or the passenger?

 

[wench]

I have managed to get up to 60mph on a good flat straight road before when towing horse. Whoops - soon slowed down though. Unfortunatly my truck is that good at towing you dont notice the speed!