motorhomes in the third lane (1 Viewer)

kat_lewis

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May 25, 2013
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since a nipper but only got back into it seriously recently when we inherited my mum's van
We drove back from the port last night with clear roads, just a few lorries and other MHs. Speeds were in the 50s and we had an easy journey :Smile: One thing that did niggle though was a MH that overtook us in the third lane at a speed of 60 plus (more like 70 lol). As I was overtaking a large lorrry at the time the turbulance was a bit off putting :Sad:. I don't have a problem with him choosing to travel at that speed (I don't know the circumstances - he may have left the kettle on at home) but personally I don't think a MH should be in that lane.
Question: do you overtake in the third lane?
 

Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
36,191
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Sutton on Sea, UK
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Adria Panel Van.
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Unless the motorhome is towing then he has every right to be in the third lane at speeds up to 70mph, over taking you:thumb: Yes I use that lane from time to time.
 

Forestboy

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Jul 31, 2007
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Cant see a problem he's allowed to use it for overtaking.

We use it when needed either that or follow some middle lane hogger for miles and miles as they refuse to pull over to the left. :Eeek::Eeek:
 

Snowbird

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Apr 24, 2009
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Old Mercedes owners dont have to worry about such things, getting into the middle lane can sometimes be a struggle :RollEyes:.
 

Wyaye wires

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Sep 13, 2009
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Not a problem he's allowed...




Much worse are the toe rags in cars who dawdle on the inside lane until you pull out to overtake and then they accelerate away to avoid being overtaken by a MoHo...:Angry:

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Bailey58

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Jun 23, 2010
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I've always assumed that a motorhome up to 3500kg is the same as a car as far as speeds and motorway usage is concerned. I did get flashed by a lorry once when overtaking in Dartford tunnel when tugging in days gone by. :Doh:
 

DBK

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Jan 9, 2013
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This is not meant as criticism of the OP but in an ideal situation you should avoid travelling 3 or even 4 abreast on a motorway. It reduces your options if one of the other vehicles has say a blow out and you need to swerve out of the way quickly. Of course it is hard if not impossible to avoid doing this when all the lanes are full but the average speeds may well be lower in such circumstances. When traffic is light and you are in the middle lane overtaking a truck and another vehicle is in the third lane about to overtake you then ideally either accelerate or back off to avoid the three abreast situation where you are all in a straight line across the motorway. The danger is worst when the relative speeds of all three vehicles are similar. If the vehicle in the third lane is a car flashing past I wouldn't bother.
 

Tootles

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Was a newbie, now a Middie.
Old Mercedes owners dont have to worry about such things, getting into the middle lane can sometimes be a struggle :RollEyes:.

And that's on country lanes! ::bigsmile:

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Spottycatz

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Feb 17, 2013
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Still making mistakes! But they're not as costly.
Third lane, oh yes, as when these slow buggers in the middle lane make me put the foot down. :ROFLMAO:
 

sean n maggie

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Apr 29, 2014
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if i need to then i use it,,,i dont want to be sat behind a middle lane hogger driving at 60 when i can go past him ,,,then i go right across his front in to the nearside lane,,,,most of the time the lane hogger stays where he is,,,they are the ones who should get tickets,,,,,,:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

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longdog

Banned
Apr 16, 2013
255
287
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Yep! I have used the 3rd lane to overtake in order to maintain progress and without impeding road users behind me :thumb:
 

maz

Jan 26, 2011
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One thing that did niggle though was a MH that overtook us in the third lane at a speed of 60 plus (more like 70 lol).

I very occasionally make it into the third lane - usually at 56 mph to overtake a lorry at 55mph overtaking a lorry at 54mph. :winky: However I know I am perfectly entitled to be there even tho' my van is well over 3500kg. On the even rarer occasions when I've reached over 60mph in the third lane (to get past some ninny who has been doing my head in for a while) it feels like a cause for celebration - almost as tho' a bottle of champagne should be cracked open. ::bigsmile:
 

lesleyjean

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Jun 21, 2008
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I use the third lane a lot when I am speeding down to Benidorm and can't wait to get there:Smile::winky:

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Apr 2, 2014
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As an aside, when I can see I'm about to be overtaken by something large, I drift to the right hand side of my lane. Usually, the overtaking vehicle will drift right as well. I can then drift left, thus creating a larger gap between us, and significantly reducing the buffeting. I'm talking about a slight drifting incidentally - not a swerve!
 
Last edited:

maz

Jan 26, 2011
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The UK speed limit for a motorhome is not related to its maximum permitted weight - it is related to its unladen weight. Below 3050Kg unladen it's as per cars, above that it is less. See https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

But on a UK motorway the speed limit for a motorhome is still 70mph - whether it's under or over the magic 3050kg unladen. It's on dual and single carriageways that the difference in weight comes into play. :Smile:
 

maz

Jan 26, 2011
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As an aside, when I can see I'm about to be overtaken by something large, I drift to the right hand side of my lane. Usually, the overtaking vehicle will drift right as well. I can then drift left, thus creating a larger gap between us, and significantly reducing the buffeting. I'm talking about a slight drifting incidentally - not a swerve!

Blimey, that's a pretty major 'edit' of a post to the one I just replied to! From weight/speed limits to drifting about. That's not an edit - that's a complete rewrite! ::bigsmile:

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Feb 16, 2013
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uttoxeter
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We drove back from the port last night with clear roads, just a few lorries and other MHs. Speeds were in the 50s and we had an easy journey :Smile: One thing that did niggle though was a MH that overtook us in the third lane at a speed of 60 plus (more like 70 lol). As I was overtaking a large lorrry at the time the turbulance was a bit off putting :Sad:. I don't have a problem with him choosing to travel at that speed (I don't know the circumstances - he may have left the kettle on at home) but personally I don't think a MH should be in that lane.
Question: do you overtake in the third lane?

Yeah, it could well have been me:Blush: I was up the m1 yesterday and having been away for a couple of weeks was just ready to get home BUT must admit I never feel happy in that lane as having been a van driver for twenty years I have had a few that have just Suddenly give up and died for no good reason and always wonder what the hell you do if it stops while you are in the third lane with motors all around you.:Eeek::Eeek:
 
Jan 27, 2013
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Seven plus years
Third lane as and when required.

But TBH I'm not sure what the speed limit is in my MH :Blush:. Can anyone advise?

MTPLM: 4250kg

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SUGGY

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Nov 23, 2011
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What about when you are in the second lane doing 65 overtaking a lorry etc and a 4x4 pulling a caravan overtakes you like you are standing still :Eeek:

i have heard many big 4x4 owners saying " i can tow at 70 / 80 with my 26ft van no problem " :Sad:

we travel around 57 mph and rarely get MH passing us but loads of caravanners :Doh:
 

Chris

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May 5, 2010
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I use it nearly every time I go on the motorway in the van.

I also use the left hand lane to undertake middle lane hoggers.

Against the law I know, but the hoggers probably don't know it:Doh:

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Forestboy

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Jul 31, 2007
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I use it nearly every time I go on the motorway in the van.

I also use the left hand lane to undertake middle lane hoggers.

Against the law I know, but the hoggers probably don't know it:Doh:


Of course they don't it's their divine right granted to them personally and hand delivered in a golden envelope by God. So why should they give a s""" about anyone else and be inconvenienced by having to pull over to the left.
Personally I'd like a missile launcher on the front and then I could blow the b"""""s to Kingdom come.

Glad I got that off my chest feel much better now.:ROFLMAO:
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Eastbourne East Sussex
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Since 1972
Use third lane when necessary except when towing. Caravans are not allowed in the third lane (unless there's more lanes) but I have seen some there.

Some 4x4 could tow a large caravan at 70,80,90+ mph. My Disco could (except I don't have a caravan) but it's illegal and very dangerous too.
Apparently the most likely caravan to be turned over will be behind a Disco as its so easy to forget it's there.
 
Apr 2, 2014
285
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But on a UK motorway the speed limit for a motorhome is still 70mph - whether it's under or over the magic 3050kg unladen. It's on dual and single carriageways that the difference in weight comes into play. :Smile:

...which is what my link says, I believe:Smile:

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