New user - motorway travel.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:43 pm

A 1098 certainly has no trouble keeping up with HGVs on the motorway even uphill. The only trouble with cruising in the wake of a lorry is when another one decides he's going to overtake you because his limiter will let him do 1MPH more than the lorry ahead of you. After several minutes of thundering alongside, covering you in road spray and annoying all the drivers queuing up behind him, he suddenly pulls in inches from your front bumper.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:37 pm

Yes - that annoys the devil out of me too - why on earth the truck driver being overtaken doesn't just accept what's happening - and lift off just for a few seconds to let the 'faster' truck past. It's even more annoying when after several miles - the overtaking truck fails to make it, and the inside truck starts to inch ahead again!! AARRGHHH!

Post by **dunketh** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:14 am

I never knew trucks were limited to 56mph. I've certainly seen them go faster than that. Is is a mechanical limitation or just a verbal "dont do it" thing?

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:19 am

toothache i should try out the seats for yourself before deciding on replacing them. If properly maintained (webbing renewed etc) they are really comfy IMO, and I've heard others say that too. Personally, and a lot of people would disagree with me, I haven't yet seen a replacement for the Minor front seat which looks appropriate (although if you have specific back problems the look of the seats must take a way way second place to whether they place a strain on your back!)

Have fun looking, and take the advice about joining the MMOC and getting knowledgeable advice on any cars you are considering, it's easy to buy a real trial of a beast of a money pit without realising until it's too late, otherwise... but also there are lots of good cars around and you just need to know which bits to check before you buy

I did loads of motorway miles in my previous van with no problems at all. Standard set-up (1098) provided enough zip to overtake when needed and cruise at a sensible speed throughout the journey. Though I never did Scotland to the south, I did some pretty long journeys. Just make sure the mechanics and suspension etc are kept properly serviced. Vans are more noisy than cars - I'll be wrapping my current (resto) van in Noisekiller as I have ME which makes you very noise-sensitive!

Good luck and let us know how you get on

wibble

Post by **Orkney** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:25 am

I never knew trucks were limited to 56mph. I've certainly seen them go faster than that. Is is a mechanical limitation or just a verbal "dont do it" thing?

think they are supposed to be limited/restricted mechanically - not that you'd know it - think its the same for coaches too but a faster speed - ive had trucks passing me at 80 in a normal car have followed coaches doing 90!

Reckon the mechanics 'alter' the limiters somehow.
Mind you cant condone it too much becuase sure as eggs are eggs if i won the lotto and got one of those restricted supercars the first thing would be coming off is the restriction on it

Post by **Judge** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:26 am

wibble_puppy wrote:If properly maintained (webbing renewed etc) they are really comfy IMO, and I've heard others say that too.

Try a few trips on MOT, and from LE to Orkney and see if you feel the same way

Post by **chickenjohn** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:32 am

Furrtiv wrote:I've never had a problem doing 60-65mph on the motorway. Maybe I've just been lucky, as I'm content to sit at those speeds in the slow lane and allow everything else to pass - and aren't trucks supposed to have limiters (British ones, at least)?

Same here in my Traveller- 60-65 is its natural cruising speed. Make it do 70 and much more fuel is used, and I suspect much more engine wear.

If I want to do 80+ MPH I have another car that can do that and a lot more MPH besides!

BTW, good luck in your job search Furtiv.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:32 pm

Reckon the mechanics 'alter' the limiters somehow.

I believe some people swap wheel/tyre combos around so the limiter is set on a smaller rolling radius to allow a bit more speed to pass other trucks. Also the trucks can be coasted over the limited speed but as soon as the throttle is used the speed is reigned in. I don't think it applies to some vehicles, the national express coaches certainly don't hang about.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:37 pm

dunketh wrote:I never knew trucks were limited to 56mph. I've certainly seen them go faster than that. Is is a mechanical limitation or just a verbal "dont do it" thing?

Below 7.5 Tonnes they can do 70 legaly, over 7.5 Tonnes 60 MPH on Motorways. Few are limited to the limits, but the driver has to turn in his Taco Disc to the distribution manager, which goes on record. I have seen Tesco artics and Parcel Force artics doing closer to 80 MPH in the early hours

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:06 pm

Below 7.5 Tonnes they can do 70 legaly, over 7.5 Tonnes 60 MPH on Motorways

It's more complicated than that. 7.5T vehicles built after a certain date have to have a 56mph limiter. Older than that and they are effectively unrestricted. All vehicles of that size regardless of age are restricted from the outside lane of a 3 lane motorway. I'm sure there are more confusing regulations but my ears fur up whenever someone tries to explain them.

Post by **toothache** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:55 am

For me (at least in my old 2CVs) the high 60s mph (66-70) I found a nice motorway cruising speed. Significantly faster than those vehicles restricted to 56 or 60 mph, yet not ‘competing’ with those up at the 80s. It was fairly noisy and was working the 2CV engine hard, but on the other hand that engine was designed to be run at near flat-out speeds. (There’s always a bit of fun and laughter at 2CV meetings where new users comment on how slow their cars are - because they are treating them as ‘standard’ engines and not actually working them hard enough.)
This is actually what prompted my initial question about sensible long distance cruising speeds (and indirectly how good is the cooling system at maintaining a reasonable engine running temperature), and also as a reminder to myself, assuming I go the MM route, of the required change in driving style.
So now it is just a matter of finding a nice MM for sale around the Central Scotland area.

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:09 am

There's no problem at all with the cooling system providing it's not silted up - the radiator has plenty of reserve capacity.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:59 pm

alex_holden wrote:There's no problem at all with the cooling system providing it's not silted up - the radiator has plenty of reserve capacity.

Indeed, the Minor is massively over cooled, and with regular anti freeze serviceing should never overheat. I added an overflow bottle to catch any vented coolant. Make sure rad cap is 4Lbs type.

Post by **HarryMango** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:36 pm

MoggyTech wrote:
dunketh wrote:I never knew trucks were limited to 56mph. I've certainly seen them go faster than that. Is is a mechanical limitation or just a verbal "dont do it" thing?
Below 7.5 Tonnes they can do 70 legaly, over 7.5 Tonnes 60 MPH on Motorways. Few are limited to the limits, but the driver has to turn in his Taco Disc to the distribution manager, which goes on record. I have seen Tesco artics and Parcel Force artics doing closer to 80 MPH in the early hours

There are a number of current/Ex truckers who visit this forum so in defence of them a few facts :-

ALL Large Goods Vehicles are limited to 56mph (even though the speed limit is 60) - when going downhill with a weight on the momentum can take them over this if not kept in check.
The speed limiter is calibrated & sealed but obviously can be disengaged by a bent driver/operator - this is illegal
I very much doubt that you saw a Tesco truck doing 80, it would be more likely doing 50 on the motorway as most supermarkets lorries do & the operators take a very dim view of their drivers flouting tachograph and working time directive regulations.

There are certain lorries from certain places that do drive over 60 but please do not tar us all with the same brush.

Rog

Post by **matt993fod** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:19 pm

My car is a 1098 but I use a 4.55:1 back axle for better pull up hills. With this combination you can do motorway speeds alright, but the poor engine is screaming a little. I don't really like revving the poor old thing. Its only done twenty thousand miles, but I still can't bring myself to do it.

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:34 pm

Mine seems to love being rev'd hard.
They're tough old lumps, I'm sure it doesnt do any harm to red-line it once in a while.

4.55 would do my nutt in ... its bad enough with a 4.22.

Post by **motherofgod** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:23 pm

Until I met the previous owner of my car I didn't know about the speedo not reading correct! His friend had borrowed the car with him following, cruising down the motorway, when the minor was pulled over . the police had clocked him at 74. He said the speedo was only at 50! only a 14mph difference! sufice to say the speedo goes to 90 which has been passed in a mad moment. sometimes it's nice to go slow

James

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:08 pm

My car is a 1098 but I use a 4.55:1 back axle for better pull up hills. With this combination you can do motorway speeds alright,

I'm with dunketh it must be painfull on the ears and it will lower the top speed, I know a few van owners who have changed up to the 4.22 so that cruising speeds are quieter.

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:09 pm

working the 2CV engine hard, but on the other hand that engine was designed to be run at near flat-out speeds

Spend any time on French 'B' roads and you'll realise why!