Yamba to Glen Innes

Submitted: Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 10:38
ThreadID: 129997 Views:2891 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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Hi there in 3 weeks will be in Yamba for a week then need to travel to Glenn Innes eventually ending up in Singleton for a family event before coming home in Sydney with 17foot van in tow.Just wondering what the road (Gwyder highway) Is like for towing a van.I've had a look at the map on line and looks to be a winding road.

cheers
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Reply By: ken triton - Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 11:21

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 11:21
Hi Michael,
The Gwyder Hwy is fine, a little windy in places and a bit hilly, but no problems it's a nice drive.
Enjoy your trip
Regards
Ken
AnswerID: 589267

Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 14:56

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 14:56
You are not one of those frightened by a few steep gradients and a bit of twisting road are you? The only time you should be worried about negotiating roads that are shown on road atlases as solid thick red lines is if your rig is overloaded. Sure you will have to slow for bends and use low gears to ascend or descend the steeper gradients. However making your tug work a lot climbing steep hills does not stress it, it actually does some good letting your motor spin a higher revs in low gear on steep hills. If yo spend all the time driving with low revs doing light duty you will never run your pistons to the top of their maximum travel, this produces a lip at the top of the cylinder that may cause some top ring damage if you do need to stress your motor later in its life.

If you are looking at a way to cross the mountains without going over roads like the Gwydir then you will have to go north of Brisbane or come south to Newcastle and use the Golden Highway.

I have used every one of those routes over the great divide frequently over the years. Once you have used them a few times you will become accustomed to driving them. You will find them interesting drives, yo may even reach the stage you look forward to driving them. All those routes that are shown with thick red lines are regularly used by semi-trailers so they should not be a worry to you.

Go forth with a positive attitude and you will enjoy the drive.
PeterD
Retired radio and electronics technician

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AnswerID: 589274

Follow Up By: Michael 1954 - Sunday, Aug 16, 2015 at 12:45

Sunday, Aug 16, 2015 at 12:45
Thanks nomadic.NO NOT REALLY...........Only reason i asked is being new to the vanning thing this will be only the 4th time out with the van.First was to Wingello the weekend after be bought the van in Oct'13 2nd was to South Belmont and 3rd down to Merry Beach/Narooma earlier this year.
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Aug 16, 2015 at 14:07

Sunday, Aug 16, 2015 at 14:07
Good to see you have a positive attitude to driving the hilly country. Take it easy and you will get your hand in towing your van, go forth and enjoy the trip.
PeterD
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Lifetime Member
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Reply By: Member - Gary W (NSW) - Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 16:47

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 16:47
Try this site...it often shows the gradient of the road...very informative.
Bonzle.com
Gary
AnswerID: 589279

Follow Up By: Kevin G6 - Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 17:22

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 17:22
Michael,
The road is fine a little up and down in places, take it easy and have a break before going up the hill the rest stop at the mann river bridge Jackadgery ( lollback rest area ) is a good spot.
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Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 19:35

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 19:35
The Gwydir Highway is one of the easiest climbs up and across the Great Divide in NSW. If you think that's windy, try the Oxley Highway from Port Macquarie, even the Bruxner Highway from Casino is windier.
AnswerID: 589287

Follow Up By: Member - johnat - Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 20:32

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 at 20:32
Don't you just love people who are scared of a road with a turn or two?

That's why the steering wheel is there! So you can negotiate bends!

I've been from Tamworth to the coast any number of times, via bendemeer, Walcha to Port, via Armidale down the Waterfall Way, via Glen Innes and Tenterfield thru Casino - all with van in tow.

No problems at all!
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FollowupID: 857103

Follow Up By: Kevin G6 - Sunday, Aug 16, 2015 at 14:21

Sunday, Aug 16, 2015 at 14:21
Not everyone has the same experience towing a large van as you.
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FollowupID: 857146

Follow Up By: Member - johnat - Monday, Aug 17, 2015 at 21:39

Monday, Aug 17, 2015 at 21:39
Yeah, 4th trip since Oct '13! Really wearing out them tyres, huh!

Oh, and never claimed that I pull a big van, just that there's not many places that don;t have some turns, or hills! Gotta get used to them, or stay home!
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Follow Up By: Member - johnat - Monday, Aug 17, 2015 at 21:40

Monday, Aug 17, 2015 at 21:40
Oh, and 17 foot ain't really all that big! :rolleyes:
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FollowupID: 857266

Follow Up By: Michael 1954 - Tuesday, Aug 18, 2015 at 17:11

Tuesday, Aug 18, 2015 at 17:11
Maybe just maybe Johnat that you and your family enjoy good health which allows you to get away often.
im not in the posion to just go when i want to as i still work and looking after a eldery parent .

roll your eyes all you want
I know 17ft is not that big didnt want one n e bigga as could not have parked it at home.

nuff said
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