The Caravan Owners Club

[PeterMartin]

I've just collected a new caravan from Germany. The dealer advised me to take great care with the motorway speed limits. Just because you see some German caravans doing 100 kph (60 mph) doesn't permit 'foreign' registered units doing the same!

A new law in Germany applies only to German registered tow cars and German registered caravan combinations that have an approved safety hitch fitted. The caravans have a circular '100' speed sticker attached. The Winterhoff W3000 is an approved hitch and fitted to HOBBY vans.

British units have a maximum speed limit of 80 kph (50 mph).

OK, we have an anomaly with the 2.3 v 2.5m width problem, whilst the German have their 'new' biased speed limit!

Take care in your foreign touring - especially after a spell in France with caravan speeds up to 130 kph (78 mph)!

Peter

[Roy Armstrong]

It is not just the hitch, the caravan must also have shock absorbers and pass the caravan equivalent of the MOT.
It is unlikely that any UK caravan will comply.

Also note that it is illegal to use cruise conrtol on many roads in Belgium.

[ArtistsRifles]

Don't you just love the "common" EEC legislation......

[vaughn123]

Just to clarify. Anyone can apply to drive at a 100kph with a caravan in Germany, including the British/Irish. All it takes is a quick & simple safety check at one of many Tüv (mot) stations. For full details see: http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/EGB/pr ... _10326.htm

German National Tourist Office

[beejay]

Just to clarify. Anyone can apply to drive at a 100kph with a caravan in Germany, including the British/Irish. All it takes is a quick & simple safety check at one of many Tüv (mot) stations. For full details see: http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/EGB/pr ... _10326.htm

German National Tourist Office

Good news, thanks for the link. It seems that things have moved since the introduction of "Tempo 100". Originally for German outfits, then the Dutch got approval (and can test/issue certificates, but at a higher price than the link quotes). The CAR also needs a 100 sticker on the windscreen. This is so speed cameras can identify approved outfits. It appears that an appointment will be needed, it is not a "pop in and wait" set up.