Question:

Is it an actual offence to be in a caravan while it's being towed on the highway?

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I was behind one the other day and there looked like two men sitting in there having a chat!

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17 ANSWERS


  1. not if your a gypsy


  2. Definitely illegal, the driver would have been charged with endangering life. Just look at what happens to a van in a crash, compared to a modern car!!

    One of the reasons that no passengers are allowed in towed caravans is the braking system, which relys on the weight of the van pushing on the coupling to apply what passes for brakes. Another reason is - more importantly - WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION , and the correct  "down weight " on the coupling - in-correct distribution can cause snaking, and at worst cause the van to overturn. That is why it is important to stow any bulky objects over the axle(s), or better still get rid of the wobbly box !!

    Top Gear & Brainiac Science Abuse have got it spot on!!! The " Showmans Living Vans " are usually an "A Frame" Drawbar, fitted with air brakes, but are limited by law to a max of 40 mph if part of a 2 trailer set up.

    I have followed many of our "Travelling Community" with children sleeping in the caravans, while they dash between illegal camp sites!!

  3. I believe so. Could it have been a motor caravan??

  4. Yes it is if you are in the UK, not sure about other countries. It is a health and safety issue, as a caravan being towed only has two wheels so it is therefor not very stable.

    A friend of mine was towing  a caravan a few years back, doing about 40 mph a car cut in from of them causing them to swerve. The caravan turn over several times. Everyone in the car was fine. Hence the need for the law.

  5. yes without a doubt in the uk

  6. In the UK it definitely is illegal.

  7. yes

  8. Yes it is just about illegal everywhere, very dangerous.

  9. It`s illegal

  10. It is very illegal and dangerous to be in a car being towed.

  11. I'm quite sure it is illegal to be in a hitch-up trailer caravan, but I'm not sure if that applies to properly linked showmen's caravans based on truck-trailers.

    After all, a bendy-bus is nothing more than a truck a trailer combination, with seats.

    I would tink it would be illegal in any towed caravan, on the basis of no seat-belts or forward facing, secure seats.

    Just my hunch without checking the legal facts, but it makes perfect sense to me not to travel in a caravan, unless it is a motor-home or motor-caravan.

    PS: I've just realised that a "caravan" towed by a steam traction-engine, is perfectly legal, but that may be down to historic vehicle exemptions.

  12. All depends on how it is connected... so not sure if its illegal as I wasnt there... but defintely really ******* stupid and dangerous!

  13. Yes its illegal(in the UK anyway)Too many idiots on the road these days!

  14. in england yes its an offence

  15. Yes, it's a specific offence to carry passengers in a trailer..

    The only exceptions are certain farm vehicles, under certain conditions.

  16. yes it wasnt when i was little but it is now

  17. Offence to carry passengers in a trailer

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