Too slow for motorways?

[Dogstoat]

I am travelling back to Plymouth from Roscoff tomorrow. Destination Warwick.
The M5 north has some long, steep climbs on the way and my old 1990 non-turbo and very heavy Foster and Day Chuggabug can struggle.
At times, I can end up in 2nd (sometimes 1st) gear to get to the top of some long inclines.
At what point do I become an unacceptable hazard?
It does concern me…..any views?

 

[Figaro]

Hum, first and second gear on a motorway and I'm not surprised your concerned.
That's maybe 10-15-20 mph ? that really is too slow for a motorway and you are going to be a hazard.
In those circumstances,I'd definitely take the A roads.
I'm not familiar with your vehicle but even non turbo those maximum speed on inclines seem abnormal to me ?

 

[Elsie2010]

While there is no law for driving too slowly, the police can charge you for “driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users

 

[Jackd]

Our Lowloader when pulling 100 tons or so drops down to those kind of speed at times, but he has an escort vehicle behind him with all manner of flashing lights.

You would most definitely be a major hazard in my view.

 

[Dogstoat]

Hum, first and second gear on a motorway and I'm not surprised your concerned.
That's maybe 10-15-20 mph ? that really is too slow for a motorway and you are going to be a hazard.
In those circumstances,I'd definitely take the A roads.
I'm not familiar with your vehicle but even non turbo those maximum speed on inclines seem abnormal to me ?

It’s a 2.3 Mercedes diesel engine and the vehicle overall is in superb condition for its age. I don’t drive slowly on purpose obviously. It was built this way….it’s aluminium bodied and it just goes as fast as it goes. I bought it 2 years ago….it must have been doing this all of its life.

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[Dogstoat]

It’s a 2.3 Mercedes diesel engine and the vehicle overall is in superb condition for its age. I don’t drive slowly on purpose obviously. It was built this way….it’s aluminium bodied and it just goes as fast as it goes. I bought it 2 years ago….it must have been doing this all of its life.

 

[Figaro]

I'd take the A roads for sure

 

[chaser]

I would have it looked at, it isn't right.

 

[Dogstoat]

Thanks all….I think you’ve told me that which I already suspected….

 

[neilydun]

Is it a 208d ?

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[Dogstoat]

Wow! The A road route will take some time but it’s a good call.
There is nothing wrong with the vehicle….had it serviced etc….the engine sounds comfortable at 50mph on the flat but any more and it sounds as if it’s screaming…..I think it’s just of its time…. many owners over the years must have experienced the same issue.
This site is excellent for bringing context to problems. Why I’m glad I joined.

 

[Dogstoat]

Is it a 208d ?

Foster and Day 2.3 Mercedes 308d ‘Corsaire’

 

[Elsie2010]

Wow! The A road route will take some time but it’s a good call.
There is nothing wrong with the vehicle….had it serviced etc….the engine sounds comfortable at 50mph on the flat but any more and it sounds as if it’s screaming…..I think it’s just of its time…. many owners over the years must have experienced the same issue.
This site is excellent for bringing context to problems. Why I’m glad I joined.

Great excuse for some extra coffee and scenery stops

 

[Otter Spotter]

I would suggest getting it ‘remapped’ except I suspect the only electronics in the van will be your phone so I would empty your water tanks and toilet for every journey

 

[Dogstoat]

This is ‘she’…..

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[PaulyP]

This is ‘she’…..

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Love it !
Remember it’s all about the journey, not the rush to get there !

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

To be honest they weren't quick enough when new I had a 310 van of that model empty was just OK but put a load in it it went faster on the recovery truck.

 

[meanders]

To be honest they weren't quick enough when new I had a 310 van of that model empty was just OK but put a load in it it went faster on the recovery truck.

I suggest putting red hazard stripes on the back, at least better red reflectors/ reflective tape. Also, don't be afraid to put the hazards on. It will at least indicate to those following that they need to proceed with care.

 

[davanne]

We met a Dutchman in Spain with an old Merc he had an orange flashing light on top as he said on hills he was down to 20mph

 

[h1ghway1]

My 1999 2.8 fiat TD isn't brilliant up hills..in Spain and Portugal I follow hgv in the crawler lane as I ain't going to try overtaking and when they put there hazards on do do I..

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

This is ‘she’…..

View attachment 759296 View attachment 759297

That is one nice van!
All power to your elbow

 

[PaulOH]

How I share the OP's pain!! My '92 normally aspirated 2.5sofim is perky at low speeds and perfectly adequate for leisurely B-road, but is a bit on the slow side for A-road and not really up to the motorway if I'm thinking of fuel economy and noise levels.

Gentle inclines have me down to a quick 3rd-4th and an incline like to traverse a rail line will be a 3rd and less than 30mph. I sympathise with people behind me, but then we all drive a bit fast these days and I'm the (big) vehicle in front which might even pull in every now and again to let the queue pass.

I believe the OP will be much happier off the motorway where people don't expect speed so much and there is no possibility of dropping to 30mph which is super dangerous in an open road motorway situation.

 

[Mzracer]

While there is no law for driving too slowly, the police can charge you for “driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users

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I thought there used to be signs on motorways saying minimum speed of 20 mph, but that was going back to the times where the signs also said no mopeds on the motorways.

 

[Flairy]

She looks well cared for keep up the good work .

 

[neilydun]

Foster and Day 2.3 Mercedes 308d ‘Corsaire’

The non turbo`s have always been a slow old machine, but good for miles and miles.
It does sound a bit on the slow side even for a 08. What weight are you pulling ?

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[Coolcats]

I am travelling back to Plymouth from Roscoff tomorrow. Destination Warwick.
The M5 north has some long, steep climbs on the way and my old 1990 non-turbo and very heavy Foster and Day Chuggabug can struggle.
At times, I can end up in 2nd (sometimes 1st) gear to get to the top of some long inclines.
At what point do I become an unacceptable hazard?
It does concern me…..any views?

you can get pulled over by the police if your causing a hazard on the motorway and that would include going too slow. My guess and you need to check, would be anything less than 50mph.

 

[Elsie2010]

I'd say you'd be fine on M62
Seriously though, if it takes an extra 'however long' best to get there safe and stress free

 

[RedFrame]

I would imagine that the Police would have something to say if you went on a Motorway with a vehicle you knew would be travelling at 30mph or so.

I certainly wouldn't risk our's or anyone else's lives doing it.

Cheers
Red.

 

[gus-lopez]

My 1999 2.8 fiat TD isn't brilliant up hills..in Spain and Portugal I follow hgv in the crawler lane as I ain't going to try overtaking and when they put there hazards on do do I..

& do you know why they put them on? Because there is a minimum speed limit of 50% of posted limit on all spanish roads including motorways.
They put them on to cover themselves in the event they are hit by another vehicle & to lesson the problems in the event that happened.

I thought there used to be signs on motorways saying minimum speed of 20 mph,

It always used to be bridges & tunnels in the UK.

I would imagine that the Police would have something to say if you went on a Motorway with a vehicle you knew would be travelling at 30mph or so.

Showmans triple trailer vehicles travel at 20mph & I've regularly come across them on dual carriageways in the UK.Many cranes only do around 30mph.

 

[The Old Man]

I am quite serious and not intending to make jokes at your expenses.

Many years back I rode around in a one litre aircooled van, it was not fast but bimbled happily around Europe.

However when travelling certain routes I would be watching the weathernce

If the Mistral was blowing in France I would not even attempt to be heading north!

Even today, I still have a 'high' profile van, but powerful enough, when travelling from Wales to Devon I chose days with a northerly wind and wait for a southerly to blow me home!

I can save half a tank of fuel by watching the weather!