Thread: Hitting the road safely

I think if a driver doesn't feel comfortable tugging a van along at say 95 kmh then there is a problem somewhere. Plus, some vans are just ridiculously huge.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I think if a driver doesn't feel comfortable tugging a van along at say 95 kmh then there is a problem somewhere. Plus, some vans are just ridiculously huge.

If a caravanner can't maintain the speed limit where it is safe to do so then there is something wrong. You need a smaller van, heavier, more powerful tug, or, some driver training.

I have long (and loud) maintained that car/trailer rigs should be classified and a special licence endorsement be necessary for each class. Driver training and testing for each endorsement. The categories could be something like:- domestic box trailer (no endorsement needed), light combination, medium combination, heavy combination, very heavy combination. The tug power to weight ratio needs to be regulated. No longer to pull heavy multi axle rigs with less than 400 horsepower.

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

If a caravanner can't maintain the speed limit where it is safe to do so then there is something wrong. You need a smaller van, heavier, more powerful tug, or, some driver training.

I have long (and loud) maintained that car/trailer rigs should be classified and a special licence endorsement be necessary for each class. Driver training and testing for each endorsement. The categories could be something like:- domestic box trailer (no endorsement needed), light combination, medium combination, heavy combination, very heavy combination. The tug power to weight ratio needs to be regulated. No longer to pull heavy multi axle rigs with less than 400 horsepower.

Agree. On another forum, there's a newcomer who is asking questions about what he can tow with his '06 petrol Prado. He knows it's rated to tow 2500kg but he reckons he can get an upgrade to 3000kg so, I googled the Prado specs and the vehicle's Tare is 1960kg!!!
I wouldn't tow more than 2000kg with it.

My first D1 had a towing capacity of 4 tonne (might have been 4.5 ???) and I can only imagine how perfect the conditions would have to be for that to become a good idea (2t boat was "comfortable" enough for me). In saying that one of my mates' latest gig involves being despatched to panel shops and storage yards to weigh rolled over vehicles and what's left of their vans, boats etc. on behalf of the relevant insurance company.

I tow at 95kph to give the other loonies desperate to get wherever more room to get past safely. That last word is not often applicable with WA drivers. If they then want to sit right on my backside cursing so be it.... I couldn't give an FF as they say.
But even after saying that, as I've said before if I have to exceed the limit to get past some of the idiots on the road who appear to be deliberately holding things up, then I will do when safe to do so.
AlanH.

Originally Posted by Tombie

The biggest concern I hear from Bickie Dippers is "I can only tow safely at 85km/h. Over that it gets a bit wobbly" - ​In that case it isnt (A) Safe ( Legal

Thats great you take the time to listen. Do you also take the Time while dipping bikkys with them to explain their errors?

Your talent at explaining their errors here would obviously be a great help with this...