Towing legally
Submitted: Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 11:57
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youngharry52
Hi everyone,
Just wondering how many people out there are towing caravans legally bearing in mind the GVM, GCM restrictions, ie, a 100 series landcruiser is limited to 580kg including towball weight added goodies and the occupants. 200 series isn't much better at 600kg. At least a 200 series can have a GVM upgrade of up to 500kg with
suspension changes etc.
Interesting to see all the caravaners with boats on their vehicles too...... Seems to me the whole thing is a bit of a farce. Btw, I really don't want an F truck as a daily drive and it looks as though a
suspension upgrade may be required for these to increase their GVM also.
I am very interested in your ideas as I am at a loss to know what to do..
Regards
Chris.
Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:07
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:07
Chris
this topic comes up from time to time but has anyone been pulled over by the weights and measures guys or the RTA for a weight
check?
they're too busy trying to gain revenue from trucks to be bothered with the "voting public".cheers.
AnswerID:
402063
Follow Up By: Member - mazcan - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 14:45
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 14:45
hi
in my travels i have never ever seen weights and measures weighing a caravan and towing rig and despite the fact the majority are conscious of their legal obligations and drive as law abiding citizens there will always be those that take the risk no mater what
there would be ---imho---- a large majority of these rigs over the legal limits and in a lot of cases down right dangerous
but they are still out there on the roads one sees them every day
for instance every year in april /may you can see rigs heading up north to escape the winter chill from down south here and out of
perth with what look like grossly overloaded outfits overloaded rigs including the boat up on top of the 4wd as
well
very few have trouble but when they do i'm sure they would be struggling with insurance claims as the police do a very detailed report when a crash occurrs these days but dont know if they have ever weighed whats left at a
crash site
the above is my personel observations and would hope that all will respect the safety of themselves and other road users ????????
cheers
FollowupID:
671511
Follow Up By: Dave(NSW) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 15:35
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 15:35
mazcan,
Last time I came out of
Adelaide through
Tailem Bend on the start of a long weekend the scaly's where giving the trucks a brake and hammering the tourists.
Cheers Dave...
FollowupID:
671524
Follow Up By: Member - mazcan - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 18:47
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 18:47
hi dave
well thats s.a
i have never seen that in( wait awhile)w.a but may if i wait awhile longer it may happen
cheers
FollowupID:
671578
Follow Up By: Member - Duke (TAS) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 20:35
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 20:35
Chris
Do what the rest of us do. Load it up and go.
Duke
FollowupID:
671606
Reply By: Notso - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:25
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:25
Some of the things I've seen towing vans are frightening! If I did it I'd be killed in the first 200ks.
I had a Nissan patrol wagon which had similar weight restrictions too. I now have a Dual Cab 1 Tonne ute that has a higher Payload. But I weighed the whole rig last trip out and I was still 300kg below GVM, and
well below GCM.
I think the biggest issue with potential overloading is insurance in the event of a major accident. If the Insurance Co can get out of paying they will.
AnswerID:
402065
Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:25
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:25
Mind you I'm not suggesting that you do anything illegal here.
FollowupID:
671482
Reply By: Fab72 - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:39
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:39
Saw a Diahatsu Terrios towing a 17-19ft van through the
Flinders Ranges near
Wilmington last year. Scarey.
AnswerID:
402067
Follow Up By: Member - Timbo - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 15:24
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 15:24
What about this fella'?!
Image Could Not Be Found
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Reply By: Road Warrior - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 14:24
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 14:24
I think one of the main issues with GVM...err, issues, is the lack of education around for what your vehicle can and quite clearly was not designed to handle. People who don't tow or travel often think they can just hitch up 'whatever' to their vehicle and she'll be right, without giving any consideration (or even knowing what it means) to GVM and their own driving ability with towed vehicles.
DPI in WA publish a brochure about it but the only place I have seen it is at the O'Connor inspection station!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 15:23
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 15:23
You do see some sights, I think the best one was an old bus converted to a motor
home with a Tinny hooked up upright on the back, but the killer was, the Outboard was mounted on the Front of the Bullbar.
I suppose if he had it running it'd dispose of any road kill that hit it??
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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:30
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:30
Hi All
I know a few Caravaners that tow just under or at the legal weight limit, but when they go on extended trips and
Free Camp, they fill their water tanks up and that takes them approx 200 kgs over the max straight away, our van carries 240 litres but we rarely travel with full water tanks.
Cheers
AnswerID:
402096
Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:33
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:33
Daza
what about all the liquid you carry in bottles in ya cupboards?
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Reply By: Member - Royce- Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:46
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:46
In some ways towing a caravan can be more complex and dangerous than a truck.
It's strange that anyone can jump behind a wheel and tow without an articulated licence endorsement!
AnswerID:
402100
Reply By: Member - Carl- Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:03
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:03
There seems to be a difference between a "suitable" and a "legal " vehicle.
Many vehicles are legal but far less are suitable. Many new Twin Cabs, have a legal towing capacity but are not suitable for towing large caravans. I do not think you can tow a 24 Jayco stirling with a Navara twin Cab. Just get a windy day, on a winding pot holed road and crossing that double white / yellow line is so easy. Do it as a truck is coming and you can be dead.
Towing caravan accidents are not the best out of 5. You only get one chance.
If you add unsuitable and illegal tow vehicles together they will make near 50% on the east coast. Look at this a week before Christmas, and add unroadworthy old caravans, the toll is higher.
I think a "touring caravan" can really only be towed by a cruiser, F truck, GMC or Patrol. How can
young people
fork out that amount of money for these however.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: splits - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:57
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:57
Chris
There is some interesting reading on towing weights on the attached link. It would appear the car manufacturer's off road towing weights are
well below the maximum weight as listed in all of their advertising and specification brochures.
Be careful with upgraded suspensions as
well. No amount of heavier springs, shocks etc is going to strengthen the chassis, axles, wheel studs and axle housings. These are the parts that crack or break in overloaded cars, not the new
suspension.
Site Link
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 19:17
Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 19:17
Actually a 100 ser 1HDFTE can carry 642kg manual and 672kg auto.
Its GVm is 3260 including roof rack and towball loads
The GCVM is 6680kg.
If you up the GVM you up its carrying capacity but by doing so reduce the.
towing capacity because you cant upgrade the GCVM
Have a read of my reply 7 in thread 75578 saves repeating it.
AnswerID:
402138