Road closure query

Submitted: Monday, Mar 09, 2015 at 21:38
ThreadID: 117002 Views:2100 Replies:4 FollowUps:7
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Hello, I'm about to travel up north & through the Kimberleys , so have been checking the road reports.
When they say closed to vehicles over 3tonnes does that mean your car plus what your towing. I have a prado & 2Ton expanda caravan so not sure if it applies to me or not?
Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Monday, Mar 09, 2015 at 23:05

Monday, Mar 09, 2015 at 23:05
ss--ss

If you do a search for the Kimberleys you will be sure to draw a blank do a search on the Kimberley (NO plural).....enjoy your trip...... sorry to be a PITA
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Reply By: Ron N - Monday, Mar 09, 2015 at 23:31

Monday, Mar 09, 2015 at 23:31
ss-ss - The definition is "vehicle over 3 tonnes". A car is one vehicle, a caravan is another vehicle.
So you are quite O.K. to proceed with your Prado and 'van, if the road closure is for vehicles over 3 tonnes.

Be aware though, that a road in the above condition is going to be soft or spongy or slippery - so you if you're not up to car and caravan sliding, and mud splattered centimetres deep over everything, you might want to wait a little longer, until the road is open to all traffic.

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Geepeem - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 07:34

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 07:34
Hypothetically what if you were towing with a F250 with a kerb weight of just over 3 tonnes……would that be allowed??
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Follow Up By: toffytrailertrash - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 09:32

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 09:32
NO...We have a Silverado 2500HD and I have asked the various Roads Authorities (WA & SA) this very question and their answer was "yes, only if you have a lot of money to fix the roads". Apparently if you damage it against the signs, you wear it.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Ron N - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 09:38

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 09:38
Geepeem - There's nothing really hypothetical about the weights. If either towing vehicle or 'van is grossing (all-up weight) over 3 tonnes, then you're not allowed on a closed road where the restriction is "over 3 tonnes".

This is for towbar hitch couplings only, of course. If you are utilising a 5th wheel setup, that would change the gross weight scenario.

As regards registration, a 5th wheeler van and its tow vehicle are classed as two separate vehicles, but the combination would likely be classed for gross weight measurement purposes, the same as a semitrailer.

Even though a prime mover and semi-trailer are classed as two separate vehicles when registered - when hitched together, for gross weight purposes, they are treated as one unit.
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 09:59

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 09:59
Geepeem
Doesn't need to be an Effie or Silverado to go over the 3T limit.
For example, the GVM of a LC 100 or 200 are both over 3T, the latter being 3350kg.
Secondly, while the GCM is not mentioned, take into account that damage to the road under poor conditions would be significantly greater when towing.
The advantage of a van is that you can just camp where you are and wait the extra day or so for things to dry out.
Cheers
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Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 13:58

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 13:58
With my experience in local government in WA the over 3 tonne category restriction includes vehicles towing trailers. You need to read the fine print in the legislation to find that reference. It is not a matter if you can get through it is the damage you do to the road.

Neil

AnswerID: 549714

Follow Up By: Member - Bludge - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 16:03

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 16:03
With you Neil and others,

If the caravan can be disconnected from the Prado and driven over the road by its self, then its an vehicle, but as it can only move when attached to a vehicle, its a trailer, then the Gross weight is the GCM of car and trailer.

Queensland "Gross load limit signs

You must not drive past these signs if your vehicle weighs more or is longer than what is shown on the sign.
A detour sign will show a different route for vehicles that are too long or heavy."

If every trailer/caravan was a vehicle then a Road Train is just 12/18 tonnes, plus a 60 tonne trailer, plus another 60 tonne trailer, plus another 60 tonne trailer, not 200 tonnes.


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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 23:22

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2015 at 23:22
That's a bloody heavy road train example you gave, Bludge. :-)

I doubt if it would be allowed on any highway, closed or otherwise. GCM of 120 tonne might be closer to the mark,

Bob

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Follow Up By: Member - Bludge - Wednesday, Mar 11, 2015 at 12:25

Wednesday, Mar 11, 2015 at 12:25
Thanks Bob,

You are correct most 3 trailer rigs would be 116 tonnes (maxing at 125 in certain conditions) in most southern and eastern states

I took the 200 tonne from that refers to West, Northern Australia and parts of Northern Queensland.(click here)

"A roadtrain may be over 50 metres long and can weigh up to nearly 200 tonnes!"
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Reply By: Ron N - Wednesday, Mar 11, 2015 at 13:12

Wednesday, Mar 11, 2015 at 13:12
The Main Road WA specifically places vehicles into "classes" when dealing with road closures.

These "classes" are "Cars and Utilities", "4WD vehicles (up to 3 tonnes)", and "Trucks (Vehicles over 3 tonnes gross)".

The "Definitions" clause is as follows ....

"Definitions;
Closed: A road or section of road that is, or is likely to, become unsafe to general traffic or a particular CLASS of traffic, or where the road would be damaged by general traffic, or a particular CLASS of traffic. A closure is legally enforceable under the Main Roads Act" ... (my capitals).

Here's a link to a 2013 road conditions report, and it says nothing specific, about car and caravan combinations.

Road Condition Report - 2013

Cheers, Ron.

AnswerID: 549765

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