Nearly had to use a refuge on the M1 yesterday.
Taking the caravan on the relatively short trip from home to a CAMC site in Buckinghamshire. Somewhere around Luton I was aware that vehicles were giving a toot on the horn and pointing back. After a couple realised they meant me!!
Couldn't see or feel anything odd and wondered if the lights were misbehaving. South of Toddington and headed for M25 west so no services.
Thought about continuing to a junction but got another toot and pointing and by this time there was a wide hard shoulder. A quick 'stop and examine' disclosed the rubber seal from the offside awning rail had detached itself and was trailing behind like a fifteen foot long streamer.
Removed it - a sharp tug pulled its fixing out - seal in car and we were on our way.
Should have stopped sooner, I was fixating on off the m/way rather than soonest safe/practicable. If I'd gone into a refuge I suspect I'd have been held there while the Traffic Officers ascertained I could get off safely.
Other lesson is that I clearly was not using my mirrors correctly or I'd have seen the seal much earlier in its departure sequence. Same length started to come away in France a few years ago but was quickly spotted as I was constantly checking the blind spots on N road from Rouen towards Chartres.
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