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?

 

[dazandandrea]

Anything less than 50 on a normal running motorway i would concider dangerous.
Trucks are limited to 60 so even they would be catching you up fastish.
If you are genuinely having to shift it into 1st on a motorway hill id get off.

 

[Folkranger]

I would trade it in for something fit for purpose.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

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.

Yes, and no ... displaying hazards indicates you know you are a risk. In the unfortunate event of a rear ender, you'd be asked why you went on the motorway. When I was plod, I'd often see cars outside chippys on double yellows with the hazard lights on - always started by asking the drivers why they'd put them on ...

 

[Just smiffy]

At least vehicles can overtake you on a motorway/dual carriage way they can’t on a single road and that’s when inpatient drivers will give you grief or cause accidents…

Stay on the motorway and anticipate the hill…

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[Dogstoat]

I’m not mechanically minded. However, my vehicle is a 5-berth and it’s only carrying me and my luggage.
The old gentleman who sold it to me owned it from new. He gave me a dossier which included every MOT since 1993 when it first required one so I know the 30,000 miles on the clock are genuine.
There is nothing wrong with the engine. I think the simple fact is that the power/weight ratio is wrong.
It’s just too heavy even when not loaded up. With the speed issue I wonder why this was not identified when they were manufacturing them.
Something of a paradox when a vehicle is licensed for use on the road, is working properly and to its capabilities but perceived as dangerous to use on the road at the same time.

 

[dazandandrea]

Do you know for a fact that there is nothing wrong with the engine?

 

[Dogstoat]

Do you know for a fact that there is nothing wrong with the engine?

Had it serviced, passed its MOT etc….how else do you check?

 

[dazandandrea]

Mot is no real indication of engine health neither is having it serviced.
I wonder if getting somewhere that can dyno test it would be worth while.
It might be that it is just age and weight that's affecting it.

 

[Realist]

Anything less than 50 on a normal running motorway i would concider dangerous.
Trucks are limited to 60 so even they would be catching you up fastish.
If you are genuinely having to shift it into 1st on a motorway hill id get off.

Trucks are limited to 56mph but legally can do 60mph max.

Just like the paddies do, foot down Friday and I’m still chugging along at 56.

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[Threeracers]

Ok, so I have found someone slower than me. I tend to travel at 40, creeping over that going downhill and going uphill hits me too, not quite needing first gear but my speed does drop to 30 on motorway inclines.

I would be inclined (see what I did there?) to take the motorway as you are easier to see and pass but as others have said if you regularly need to drop to first you might need to rethink this.

A big ”slow vehicle” sign on the back might help someone see you too. I have a warning sign…….

Safe travels

Mark

 

[dazandandrea]

Trucks are limited to 56mph but legally can do 60mph max.

Just like the paddies do, foot down Friday and I’m still chugging along at 56.

Cheers dude. That will be 56 real speed then as opposed to my speedo reading just over 60 .
I didnt know it was 56 .
Thanks

 

[Bessy765]

It’s newer trucks that are limited to 56 mph older ones can do 60 thats why some haulage firms run older wagons. At the end of the day it is up to the drivers behind you to drive in a manner that allows them to take whatever manoeuvres are needed to ensure safety. Not that it helps if some numpty runs into the back of you. UK motorways do not have a minimum speed limit just as such and on a three lane carriageway there is more room to manoeuvre around you than a single lane a road. Your engine did suffer from poor air flow and as it’s naturally aspirated it needs all the air it can get as a trial if you remove the air filter element for a short run and it performs a little better you could try a K & N air filter that are steel mesh construction and will allow a better flow of air into the engine. The other known fault was the handbrake nor releasing full causing drag.

 

[gus-lopez]

The 308D was only around 70hp when new. Pulling the weight of that MH it isn't any wonder it struggles.

 

[Figaro]

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!

Are you of Scottish decent ?

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[fifthwheel]

I’m not mechanically minded. However, my vehicle is a 5-berth and it’s only carrying me and my luggage.
The old gentleman who sold it to me owned it from new. He gave me a dossier which included every MOT since 1993 when it first required one so I know the 30,000 miles on the clock are genuine.
There is nothing wrong with the engine. I think the simple fact is that the power/weight ratio is wrong.
It’s just too heavy even when not loaded up. With the speed issue I wonder why this was not identified when they were manufacturing them.
Something of a paradox when a vehicle is licensed for use on the road, is working properly and to its capabilities but perceived as dangerous to use on the road at the same time.

I had an Autotrail the same year it was a 208d it performed exactly as you are describing yours.

 

[Lofty1]

Take it to a commercial garage, and have the pump adjusted a little, not too much as it will smoke.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

The van looks fantastic, could a more modern Merc engine be fitted. I had an old k-reg 308 and it went canny although the gear box was back to front lol

 

[tonyidle]

A turbo conversion would fix it

 

[Dogstoat]

I had an Autotrail the same year it was a 208d it performed exactly as you are describing yours.

I imagine a punter purchasing one of these brand new and then discovering the power shortcomings.
Are there simply not enough owners of these 1980’s …early 1990’s left to give the benefit of their recollections?
It seems apparent that the sluggishnesss of the non-turbo diesel engines in heavy bodies was inherent and that my vehicle is not ‘faulty’…..it’s what it is and what these vehicles have always been.
I will get a Mercedes engine specialist to advise me and update you with the results.
Thank you all for your input….very much appreciated.

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[Outdoors Dad]

That's definitely worth a punt, like I say a fantastic looking van that's worth keeping, looking and upgrading. Plenty more 4life to be had imo.

 

[fifthwheel]

A turbo conversion would fix it

TB Turbos said years ago the Merc 208 crank could not stand a turbo.

 

[Dogstoat]

At least vehicles can overtake you on a motorway/dual carriage way they can’t on a single road and that’s when inpatient drivers will give you grief or cause accidents…

Stay on the motorway and anticipate the hill…

After considerable deliberation….I took the M5 but followed your advice (just smiffy) in that I drove at higher speed than I normally do on the flat and downhill especially when I could see inclines coming up on the road ahead.This still led to several changes to 4th on long inclines…and a couple of 3rd gear for short distances near the top. More aggressive driving /speed did help though.
Taking the old girl to a weighbridge next week and having the engine tested.

 

[St3v3]

Sounds like it went OK. I would have suggested the motorway is better as it's easier for people to overtake and fit some flashing lights to give people as much warning as possible.

If it got really slow and I was concerned about approaching traffic I'd be in the hard shoulder, but I'm quite good at looking really far ahead. Getting stuck behind a breakdown would really suck

 

[Figaro]

Sounds like it went OK. I would have suggested the motorway is better as it's easier for people to overtake and fit some flashing lights to give people as much warning as possible.

If it got really slow and I was concerned about approaching traffic I'd be in the hard shoulder, but I'm quite good at looking really far ahead. Getting stuck behind a breakdown would really suck

You'll have your collar felt by the motorway plod driving on the hard shoulder.
Unless of course it's a smart motorway

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[St3v3]

Not if

You'll have your collar felt by the motorway plod driving on the hard shoulder.
Unless of course it's a smart motorway

Not if your vehicle is struggling you won't.

 

[Al-Di]

There is nothing wrong with it I hav had a 208 and 308 that's how they are you need to beasts it a bit when you see hills,
Do not try to put a turbo on it

 

[iandsm]

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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There is also an offence of failing to make reasonable progress.

 

[RoverOne]

About 10 years ago I had a 1984 207d Mercedes Cherokee. It had a big old steering wheel with no power steering ,no turbo. Its top speed was 55 ,nearly did 60 once down a hill .Up hills it would rapidly slow. I think it’s just normal for this age of motorhome . It was so well looked after and lovely inside . If it was a little quicker we would have kept it .
Good luck with yours

 

[Dogstoat]

About 10 years ago I had a 1984 207d Mercedes Cherokee. It had a big old steering wheel with no power steering ,no turbo. Its top speed was 55 ,nearly did 60 once down a hill .Up hills it would rapidly slow. I think it’s just normal for this age of motorhome . It was so well looked after and lovely inside . If it was a little quicker we would have kept it .
Good luck with yours

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Thank you.
I believe as you say, that these old Motorhomes are what they are. They have seats in the rear with no seatbelts. I would never be minded to but you could legally carry passengers without them. Before anyone bites my head off, think what a pillion passenger is on a motorcycle……dangerous but legal!
I also take on board the driving on the hard shoulder if absolutely necessary….but to be avoided if possible.
I can’t see plod trying to prosecute if you explained the reason. Also, owning and using old technology on the road can never be a crime. If the vehicle was passed as fit for use on the road when it was made then as long as there is no identifiable defect apart from inherent sluggishness then I can’t see that any crime is committed.
Just my view though.

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[St3v3]

. Also, owning and using old technology on the road can never be a crime.

I can't remember how far Fred Dibnah drove that traction engine at c.15mph for the tv show, but it was a damn long way. Not motorway of course, but he spent a lot of time holding up a lot of people lol.

I bet some of them wished it was a crime

Great guy