50mph on the motorway.

I think dawdling at 50moh us almost as criminal as smart motorways, almost but not quite.


Driving at 50 means greatly increased lane changes between lanes 1-2 and 2-3. This then causes cars to slam their brakes on and cause tailgating and at worst accidents.

Cars are more than able to do 70 even our kids 20yo 1.2 polo can cruise at 70. Modern motorhomes can do 60 and if they cannot I wonder if they are safe to be on the motorway ....?!

Cheers James
Nowt wrong with the vehicles, it's the codges behind the wheel that have the issues.
 
Why do people drive quite new motorhomes at 50 mph on busy motorways? I've travelled 50 miles or so on the M4 the last couple of Friday afternoons and have been surprised how many newish motorhomes I've passed going along at about 50 mph. Slow enough that there is a line of lorries overtaking them. My van is 25 years old but is still happy at 60, I generally trundle along at about 56 so as not to have to overtake too many artics, I would hate to be continually overtaken by them. My works transit will happily do 80mph fully loaded so why so slow? It's hardly because the driver is enjoying the scenery!
Relaxing and without stress?
I am quite happy in the inside lane, nearest the hard shoulder in case of incident and need to get out of harms way, keeping a good distance from the vehicles in front and a good distance should anyone wish to overtake and pull into the near side lane, whilst trying to maintain a constant 50 to 60mph.
70mph is not a target. It’s a limit, which some seem to observe.
😊
 
If you want to re-engage it, depress the reset button on the very end of the stalk and nudge the stalk upwards to the speed you require.
I’ve seen some Ducato have the end button labelled as “res” for resume.
After breaking or otherwise getting out of cruise , hitting that end button alone should get the previous cruise speed resumed.
Using + or - only if that old cruise speed is now wrong, 🤔👍🏻
For example, this Ducato’s cruise info.
 
My Ducato cruise control is set by first turning the knurled section of the lower left hand lever clockwise to engage cruise control, then whilst travelling at your desired speed, hold the aforementioned lever upwards for one second. This sets the speed at which your vehicle will continue to travel. Touching either the brake or the clutch pedal disengages cruise control. To resume your previously set cruise speed and re-engage cruise control simply press the button on the end of the lower left hand lever. This is marked RES.
If one wants to exceed the pre set cruise speed to pass slower moving traffic just press the accelerator. Once past the slower vehicle release the accelerator and cruise control will reacquire the preset speed. This sounds a lot more complicated than it really is.
 
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Always feel my holiday starts when I get ip to speed and cruse control is on. makes me smile every time . Speed i like to match the trucks so I'm going with the flow and not causing a problem.fuel it is what it is. relax enjoy you know you love it love to see another mh some dont wave. When you see a motorhome how can you not we are the most chilled people on the road and when we park we will talk to anyone . Its changed my life and outlook and im happier so bloody wave lol or is it just me thats nuts

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I get to speed and turn it on and it holds the speed im going love it . Only use it in normal traffic when plenty of space never when busy traffic you leave good space and always a twat that cuts in front of you sod his car I want my mh safe and shinny lol well dont we all bit I don't like is t Junction when road to my right is around 60 to 70 degrees or is that why junction thinking of putting a camera for that blind spot . Any one done that where is best top of mirror or bottom any one done it and tested it .
 
I would rather share roads with slow drivers, horse and carts, bicycles, caravans and milk floats, than those drivers who get so upset about being held up for a few minutes. Because without doubt, it is impatient and angry drivers who are the real danger on our roads.
 
My Ducato cruise control is set by first turning the knurled section of the lower left hand lever clockwise to engage cruise control,
On my Ducato the knurled knob is turned anti-clockwise as shown in the picture below.
6AAD7BFE-5412-4A0A-A4DD-81EA5936AA24.png

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On my Ducato the knurled knob is turned anti-clockwise as shown in the picture below. View attachment 509980
A link to the manual in post
#213
There’s more on the cruise control usage on a further page.
:rofl: i also indicated the use of RES in that post but nvm it’s MHF innit. 🤪
 
I'm sure that MPG has something to do with it, it is an obsession with many drivers. There is absolute proof that driving at >70mph will cost you many more pennies than driving at 50mph.
 
A link to the manual in post
#213
There’s more on the cruise control usage on a further page.
:rofl: i also indicated the use of RES in that post but nvm it’s MHF innit. 🤪
Unfortunately the link is not working on my iPad, hence my picture to clarify which direction to turn the knurled knob.
 
Years ago my dad wouldn’t switch on his lights until it was nearly dark to “save the battery” Old habits?

Before cars got alternators. If your car had a dynamo, at engine idle speed the battery would discharge. Tungsten headlight bulbs drew about 80 watts. I can understand the logic of switching off the headlights and wipers if stuck in traffic, in those days.

Hmm ... the 1960s don't seem that long ago ... sigh
 
the link is not working
:doh: Thanks for the heads up. I’m on an iPad and…. Yes, today the link is dead.
Page 2 of the Ducato Cruise control usage.
7EF2892A-A446-4C62-816F-5D1E62401BD6.jpeg

I did test the link at the time but maybe it only worked as it was ‘live’ in my Safari cache or summat 🤔

edit: also, the info is an add on to page 1 from Pausim but different Ducatos manuals :(

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I'm sure that MPG has something to do with it, it is an obsession with many drivers. There is absolute proof that driving at >70mph will cost you many more pennies than driving at 50mph.
Or get you to your destination any quicker.😄 BUSBY.
 
I'm a fan of keeping just ahead of the HGVs. The last thing I want to see is a lorry right up my bumper!

I've experimented with the Cruise Control on our Peugeot Boxer based Elddis Accordo and compared it with the readout on a GPS. I've concluded that the best speed to set the CC to is 62mph. This gives an actual speed (measured by the GPS) of 58mph, so just ahead of the HGVs limited to 56mph. Other vehicles may read a different higher speed than actual.
 
Since I retired , I drive a lot slower than when I was at work, I had years of driving as fast as I could, up to or sometimes above the limits, years ago 80 on a motorway was the normal speed and several vehicles would still overtake, now 70 is normal and fewer cars overtake. I now drive much more slowly on single carriageway roads without the fast cornering and accelerating I used to do, and on a good dual carriageway or motorway I will do between 65 and 70, unless I'm towing. OK it may take a few minutes more but much more relaxing.
 
MPG, i'm happy getting 12 mpg out of Bertie:eek:
You are obviously not driving close enough to the lorry in front. Slowly pull up into it's slip stream and you will see your digital mpg indicator take off. It use to be a pain when lorries used to slow on inclines but now their speed is fairly constant. :unsure: :giggle:

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You are obviously not driving close enough to the lorry in front. Slowly pull up into it's slip stream and you will see your digital mpg indicator take off. It use to be a pain when lorries used to slow on inclines but now their speed is fairly constant. :unsure: :giggle:
Digital mpg indicator?? on a 71 E-Type, not found it yet. :ROFLMAO:
 
Why do people drive quite new motorhomes at 50 mph on busy motorways? I've travelled 50 miles or so on the M4 the last couple of Friday afternoons and have been surprised how many newish motorhomes I've passed going along at about 50 mph. Slow enough that there is a line of lorries overtaking them. My van is 25 years old but is still happy at 60, I generally trundle along at about 56 so as not to have to overtake too many artics, I would hate to be continually overtaken by them. My works transit will happily do 80mph fully loaded so why so slow? It's hardly because the driver is enjoying the scenery!
Old and stupid?
 
Since I retired , I drive a lot slower than when I was at work, I had years of driving as fast as I could, up to or sometimes above the limits, years ago 80 on a motorway was the normal speed and several vehicles would still overtake, now 70 is normal and fewer cars overtake. I now drive much more slowly on single carriageway roads without the fast cornering and accelerating I used to do, and on a good dual carriageway or motorway I will do between 65 and 70, unless I'm towing. OK it may take a few minutes more but much more relaxing.
Not unlike my speed reduction story.
What I found is speeding - or just general high speed behaviour - is just a bad habit. Just choose to have a better one.
I used to be a 90 to 95mph motorway driver. But when I had a car with cruise control setting it at those speeds seemed wrong, so 80mph (76mph indicated on SatNav) seemed better and less likely to attract police attention.
Then I got a car with an accurate Speedo and just stuck with setting 76mph on the cruise.
At no point have I regretted slowing down. As it is on today’s roads, driving faster just gets you quicker to the next obstacle!
We’re lucky. In the 80’s when I started driving, the roads were quieter. Lots of one car families.
Now all the 17 and over seem to have cars and both sexes. And driving until a lot older. Sorry for minor stereotyping.

oh! That’s car driving, The MH is 60mph max motorway and good trunk road dual carriageway. And not threatening limits off those.
 
It’s strange that so many retried people give you death stares because you overtake, wanting to do the speed limit, whilst they forget completely that they used to be the same before retirement.
 
Old and stupid?
Elderly………possibly.
Stupid……….a matter of personal choice.
Well insured, cautiously driving to the road conditions, within their comfort zone and capability and considerate………..
Most definitely!
And you don’t have to be old to be stupid.
Any age will qualify.

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