Vehicle checks M5

[Steve N Tracy]

Vehicles especially vehicles towing caravans are being checked on the M5 between Taunton and Wellington,
https://www.somersetcountygazette.c...cking-caravans-heading-m5-taunton-wellington/

 

[sedge]

Yeah - was in the news yesterday that they were having a concerted clampdown this weekend - but wasn't clear whether it was caravans they'd be checking or whether it included 'motor caravans' - or in fact what they were checking!

 

[Guffy60]

Get that rear air suspension pumped up so the backs not sagging and looking over loaded. A rally friend who was motorway traffic said with vans etc to see if overloaded they looked to see how close rear wheel arch to wheels and how much of a bulge was there in the tyres. Both potential signs of overloading I understan.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Not just the M5 several locations across Devon and Cornwall and yes it is a full check aimed mostly at caravan and motorhome users but not exclusively

 

[robrace]

Checking lots of towing vehicles!Tv this morning said something like 40% of vehicles checked had faults.Little lad got killed by a trailer that came off its tow vehicle.I witnessed a Land Rover cut a corner and the jolt from the kerb unhooked it’s large trailer! It careered across the road and hit a parked car narrowly missed and elderly pedestrian!We can all get a little careless when towing.I had mr racing car and trailer come adrift!Luckily I saw what was happening and stopped it as it run into the back of my car!The plug in tow bar had dropped out.Could never fathom out what happened as the tow bar wouldn’t stop in unless it was locked into position with the key!I never trusted it again and always used my motorhome for towing

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[gus-lopez]

Get that rear air suspension pumped up so the backs not sagging and looking over loaded. A rally friend who was motorway traffic said with vans etc to see if overloaded they looked to see how close rear wheel arch to wheels and how much of a bulge was there in the tyres. Both potential signs of overloading I understan.

Bloke I know of runs 3,5T sprinters ,first thing he does is change rear springs for 5T ones & up rate tyres. Looks like it is empty when overloaded?

 

[Wack]

I got stopped by VOSA in my 3.5t pickup towing a trailer on the way to chesterfield about 10 years ago, I think they had a garden shed that folded flat as they drove out because I didn't see them hiding

They take me into a layby just outside chesterfield, 2 get out

One looks like he wanted to join the police , about 35 dressed like a stormtrooper

The other about 50 and a little more casual

Have you got a tacho, yes, OK

Stormtrooper says I think you're overloaded so we'll take you to a weighbridge

I point out all the boxes have weights on them, they're spread out so the truck and trailer are balanced and I've been doing this job for 15 years working for the same company so I know what i'm doing

Stormtrooper says , hmm OK, i'll check your bump stops , dives on the floor and starts crawling about under the pickup

Up to this point the other guy hasn't said a word , while he's under there he leans over and whispers, "he likes rolling about in p1ss"

I got the impression they weren't best of friends

stormtrooper then decides I'm not overloaded as he's brushing himself down and they let me go.