What speed do you tow your caravan

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I reckon those caravans are downright unsafe. The idea you can load heavy weights into the back of a caravan ... behind the axle scares the absolute crap out of me.

If you want a cheap base station ( that will need repair ). Just watch pickles ... the first time a lot of them are loaded up in the arse end they'll end upside down on the side of the road.... then get carted off too the auctions.

please be careful with the amount of weight you place in the back of it ... Those things really worry me. They are too easy to load very heavy recreational vehicles into the back of!

They probably should be built like horse floats with the axles right at the back ... and monstrous nose weight until they have a load in them.

seeya,
Shane L.

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I will be loading 3 bikes maximum (1 full size, 1 mini and 1 mid) when traveling with the family, a total of 230kg. I'll be putting the weight as close as possible to the axle. The two 80l water tanks are in front of the axles as is the bathroom, kitchen, lounge, front bed and battery, the rear section is completely empty except for the two bunks. I'll be moving the spare to the drawbar.
The load capacity of the caravan is 750kg so maybe 500kg max in the back with full tanks. Personally I wouldn't put over 300kg in there. If you were putting a heavy quad or packing lots of gear in there I'd be very concerned. It has the ALKO ESC installed so I'm interested in seeing how well that operates. When I towed it empty the ESC wasn't connected and found it very stable.

I had a look around at the alternatives and there is nothing that has a better layout for carrying bikes and accommodation, all have their compromises. I was actually thinking of buying a Bushtracker and a dual cab ute to carry the bikes but a trip in a BT-50 cured me of that.

IMHO the first purchase for any towed "vehicle" over about 1.5 tonnes should be a towball weight measurer. I always test mine before I take off, but then again, I'm towing a 3 tonne plus brick with a D2 TD5.
I do have a HC licence, and have owned a Greyhound coach converted to an RV and towing my 4WD on a 3.5 tonne triaxle trailer, and hopefully always attempt to get others past me ASAP, (including slowing down/pulling off the road if needs be) even to the extent of SWAMBO wondering if we will ever reach our destination.

My biggest problem is some city drivers who have no idea of overtaking and do the usual wait until halfway time before suddenly undertaking the manoeuvre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWdcKdZ_OZw

Posted speed limit when conditions permit.
Including unsealed roads (ask Alien or Sitek).

Have cruised comfortably at the expensive side of the limit for hours without issue.

Having said that, I don’t tow a block of flats, just a Crossover [emoji41]

The boat (Shark Cat) is a bigger wedge height and width wise, and still happily sit on 110.

I'm becoming aware of an unwritten rule that dictates that one absolutely has to pull out in front of / catch & overtake a caravan even if it is travelling at the posted speed limit & not at the more leisurely 90km/h or so. Once past, you can slow down again to your speedo's indicated speed limit & get in the way of grumpy towing the caravan at the posted limit (106km/h on my speedo).

Further advice once past the caravan: Don't forget to speed up again when grumpy towing the van attempts to overtake you in the next overtaking lane.

Other advice: Overtaking is best done from a little way back to maximise the time facing oncoming traffic & then to cause grumpy to have to brake hard to make space for you in front of him rather than in the front of the oncoming HGV who will not back off because he is bigger than you.

Just my experiences.[bigsmile1]

I have just bought a DOT 6, and with a 22 year old 300Tdi CT 110 hope to at least make 90km/h, in fourth... downhill... with a tail wind... leisurely will be our pace... secondary and dirt roads our choice of contact with our wheels when we can...

Ninety is a good speed for a 300Tdi towing a camper, in our experience with an auto D1.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Ninety is a good speed for a 300Tdi towing a camper, in our experience with an auto D1.

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Yep, we just cruise with a 300Tdi, keep left, stop often, enjoy the journey, a little bit of Bob Seger, Bruce and Angus and the boys makes for a nice drive...

Should caravan owners undergo compulsory towing education? - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Yep. I'd be up for the course.

If I got a discount on my insurance maybe.