Thread: The Discovery 4 is a second rate tow vehicle

I'm not saying this is right or wrong because frankly I don't know, but an older ex NSW's coppa I know well reckons that you need a Medium Rigid truck license (from memory) if you drive any vehicle on NSW's roads with a greater combined mass then 4.5 ton (again from memory).

Is this right or wrong? If it is then most large van / 4x4 combo's would easilly be breaking the law. If it isn't then what is the law on car licenses and towing?

cheers,
Terry

Only a car licence (class C) is required - GVM not GCM. The following is from the RTA web-site.
Car

A 'Class C' licence covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM)
GVM is the maximum recommended weight a vehicle can be when loaded.
A 'Class C' Licence allows you to drive cars, utilities, vans, some light trucks, car-based motor tricycles, tractors and implements such as graders.
You can also drive vehicles that seat up to 12 adults, including the driver.
Rigid vehicle licences


Different licence classes are required by drivers of rigid vehicles:

• A Light Rigid 'Class LR' covers a rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. Also includes vehicles with a GVM up to 8 tonnes which carry more than 12 adult including the driver and vehicles in class 'C'.

Originally Posted by PAT303

^^on a car license with no heavy vehicle experience. Pat

AND, it is illegal on a car licence if the combined weight of the 4WD and Trailer you are driving exceeds 4.5t in NSW.

Baz.

I have achieved a new forum record for me. Banned in 18min, user name deleted.

Apparently they don't like having all these things discussed pointed out.

Back on topic for a moment gents;

After all the BS on other forums and some confusion even on here I thought it would be best to go directly to the horses mouth (sorry to Gary from Hayman Reese no offence meant) and ask the techo's at Haymen Reese what their thoughts are on D3/4's and WDH's and are they needed. This was the emailed responce I got back this morning from Gary in their technical department.

After reading what Gary wrote as far as I'm concerned it is the end of the debate. Feel free to repost this reply elsewhere if you think it would help to educate the luddites.


Hello Terry,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding towing with the Discovery 3/4. We are lead to believe that the majority of vehicle manufacturers recommend that a WDH should not be used on their vehicles that have Self Leveling Suspension. This recommendation should be adhered to, if for nothing else other than for warranty reasons of the vehicle.
In the case of the Disco 3 and 4 I completely agree with the recommendation, these vehicles appear to tow better when the WDH is not installed, the SLS on these vehicle does a very good job at correctly distributing the ball load being applied across both axles.

I hope this information has been useful to you and if I can assist you any further please feel free to contact me.


Gary Gardiner
Towing Technical Support Rep. QLD

Cequent(tm), a division of TriMas Corporation Pty Ltd

E-Mail: ggardiner@trimas.com.au Cequent
Mobile: PO Box 4050
Phone: Dandenong South VIC 3164
Fax: Australia


Cheers,
Terry

Thanks Terry

Had a simular conversation with a tech at Caulfield Caravan Show about my R.R. WDH not recomended with SLS. Even tho I had fronted up with money to buy . Told to save my money for something else.

As for licences if I can remember rightly in Vic on ordinary car licences up to a GVM of 4.5t & GCM of 9t. Checked this out a couple of years ago when looking at 5th- wheelers

Gary

I went one step further and rang Gary from Haymen Reese technical departmet just now and asked him several more questions on WDH's and D3/4's and to make sure he was cool with me posting his email. He was very accomodating and helpful to say the least.

One thing he said that put a smile on my face was, he believes 99% of vehicles when towing a heavy load need or would benefit from having a correctly adjusted WDH fitted.

He added, the only vehicle he has found so far that does not need a WDH is the D3/4/RRS as the LR SLS system is very good at distributing weight across both axles.

Might be best not to tell the ToyoPooter owners on the various van sites about this or they might have an even bigger dummy spit and go burn down the Hayman Reece factory.


cheers,
Terry

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

I have achieved a new forum record for me. Banned in 18min, user name deleted.

Apparently they don't like having all these things discussed pointed out.

What did you post? Have you got what you wrote?