Thread: Grey Nomads - things I've learnt in the last few days.

What's with the sticker on the back. Normaly something along the lines of ( dave and Joyce on channel 40) So you collar them on the radio and kindly ask them to pick up the pace or move over and get one of two responses first and most common it seams is to be told where to go and the other is no response at all. Dont give a rats if you want to get around like some sort of creating Jesus but get off the road if your holding up traffic this is when ppl pull stupid moves to pass and risk every ones life

I agree! No point in having the sticker if you are just going to bite heads when asked to aid in the journey!

I towed a classic behind my P38 in August, we caught a caravan at 80kmh, he was sitting on 70kmh in a 100 zone. Couldn't get past him...

Smoothing back to my perceived original intent of this thread, I also did a 3 month trip a couple of years ago & found that a lot of caravanners would pull up, set up their rig, pull out a table & 2 chairs & sit & play cards or whatever & have no interest in having a look around the area they were in. Most didn't even unhitch their vehicles. One old girl made me laugh when she told me that she'd just emailed her daughter to say that they'd enjoyed Broome & were heading South to Perth. They came in the day we arrived, stayed 2 days & never ventured out of the park but did socialise (i.e. cards) with other nomads they'd obviously met before. How could she say that they'd enjoyed someplace they'd really never seen
And, yes, I'm 60 & grey but no freakin "Nomad"

Originally Posted by Tombie

Because it's illegal

Impeding the flow of traffic is the offence.

And because it's bloody dangerous!

If you are that sensitive to fuel cost - drive less, not slower!

Driving up to 20kph under the speed limit it is not illegal.
Also you have to take into consideration that there are many roads were it is not safe or are not provision to pull to one side.
From WA authorities:

The speed limit when towing is generally the posted speed limit, however in Western Australia the maximum speed for trailers over 750kg ATM is 100km/h. However some vehicle manufacturers impose reduced speed limits when towing. This may be across the board or it may be when the weight of the trailer exceeds a certain limit. Where such limits apply, this typically means that the vehicle is restricted to a maximum of approximately 80km/h.

Vehicle cruising speed will ultimately be governed by legal speed limits, road conditions, the power of the towing vehicle, the driver’s experience and any speed limits recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Lower speeds put less stress on the vehicle and save fuel. Be conscious, however, that slow moving vehicles can cause major traffic hold-ups and considerable frustration to other drivers. Check your mirrors frequently and, where possible pull over and allow traffic to pass.

It is also a good idea to keep in the left lane where possible so that faster traffic is not impeded.
Note that said a good idea not compulsory

Have to agree Saitch. Bugger sitting round in a caravan park or camping ground no matter where you are. Tonight's our second night in a tent in Bendigo, and we've hardly spent any time in the park at all - other than now because SWMBO wants to catch up on laundry while we're here.

We've been out all day today touring the local sites - she wanted to see the Chinese Precinct and the Pottery while we're here. I've seen it all before, as I went to the School of Mines here (many moons ago). Tomorrow we're off to Daylesford, as she wants to pick up some smoked whiskey that she got from a business there some time ago. So will have a good look around Daylesford / Ballarat tomorrow (I haven't been to Daylesford before but know my way round Ballarat) - then a quick hop onto the boat on Saturday.

Have so far caught up with two AULRO members during our travels and that alone has made it a good trip - hope to catch up with a couple more before we head home again.

Lota grey nomads watch tv , drive at 80/ 90/100kmh , play cards , and generaly do what makes them happy . Lota other people whing on websites about what other people do or dont do , come on people its a free country not a dictatorship ,live and let live . Some of these older people probably built the roads were driving on anyway .

Sorry if it ****es anyone off but I'm travelling around oz and almost never go over 90kph unless we are in a hurry for some reason. Then it's only 100 anyway.
We aren't towing anything but have a bit of weight on board and the td5 just seems to run better going a bit slower.
I'm only 23 but can relate to the oldies with the reduced fuel cost as well as being able to take in the surroundings a lot better.
I just enjoy the drive more.

I also understand the tv thing to a point. These people are living on the road and I can see why they sometimes might like to watch it. We often watch a movie or tv series we like on out laptop after the sun goes down as it gives us something to do. But we do get out and see the sites and would never have a antenna or dish

I don't how ever see the need to have all the comforts of home in a massive box you tow around. But then again i'm not old...yet

Did the trip from Cairns to Brisbane and back with the wife and kids (6 of us) D2 with a box trailer with all the gear.
Getting past one car towing a caravan on an unfamiliar road, hitting the overtaking area with enough momentum to feel confident about your overtaking if single laned can be a bit of stress. Encountering plenty of "Grey Gonads" as they were effect affectionately known traveling their 80 and then speeding up when the road is clear (all the possible overtaking areas). Little bit of patience and they were either passed, or they pulled over.
My biggest nightmare is when a number of cars form up into a "moron cluster" and the only way to pass is by overtaking 3 or more cars and that just ain't gonna happen. If a space was left in between cars to go around one at a time that can be managed, but 1/2 a car length seems to be all that is allowed when moving in a "moron cluster". It should be noted "moron clusters" are formed by all sorts of vehicles, not just "grey gonads".