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G4EBT > FUEL 14.02.08 20:12l 154 Lines 5748 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : DC7936G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: Oz caravan towing weights
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0MRW<DK0WUE<F4BWT<ON0AR<VK6HGR<GB7ESX<GB7FCR
Sent: 080214/1801Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:61609 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:DC7936G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : FUEL@WW
Bob, VK6BE wrote:-
> That regulation must be a local one in the eastern states as it does
> not apply here.
Bob, I know you'll think I'm taking a pop at you - I'm not.
But I'm nonplussed as to why make bold assertions, passing off your
opinions as facts instead of checking your facts first. However many
time you repeat and opinion it does not become a fact.
It's one thing to say "as far as I know that doesn't apply here", but to
categorically say as a fact that it doesn't apply without first checking
can mislead others and reduce your credibility. Then you get frightfully
indignant and upset and paint yourself into a corner.
This is where we came in - remember?
What you say is simply not correct - the towing regulations were
nationalised in 1998 and apply throughout Australia. The only one
specific to WA is an upper speed limit of 100km/hr when towing.
>The only regulation regarding size of which I am aware is
>that vans over a certain size must have electric brakes fitted.
Not so.
Not according to the Australian National
Caravan and Recreational Towing Guide.
Quote:
All vehicles on Australian roads are subject to rules and regulations
designed to promote safe road use. However, regulations applying to
vehicles towing trailers have sometimes varied between the States and
Territories, making life for interstate travellers somewhat confusing.
In an attempt to remedy this situation, new regulations were introduced
in December 1998 that nationalised the speed limits applicable to vehicles
towing trailers and to the maximum ATM.
Speed Limits:
For a motor vehicle and trailer combination that has a GCM of less than
4.5 tonnes, the posted speed limits apply - unless the manufacturer of
the towing vehicle has stipulated a lower towing speed limit.
The only exception to this is in Western Australia where the maximum speed
limit is 100km/h for vehicles towing a trailer with an ATM of over 750kgs.
However, if you are a Provisional license holder, you should check with
the individual States or Territories to ascertain what towing laws apply
to you.
Maximum Trailer Mass:
*Throughout Australia* the allowable maximum mass for the trailer is
either the capacity of the tow vehicle's towing attachment or the towing
limit specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the towing vehicle,
*whichever
is the least*.
If the vehicle's manufacturer has not made a recommendation
as to the towing mass, then the following rules apply:
A vehicle may tow a laden trailer of up to one and a half times the
unladen mass of the tow vehicle, provided that the towbar is rated
accordingly and the trailer is fitted with brakes that comply with the
requirements stipulated in the Australian Design Rule ADR38.
If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, then the maximum mass must not
exceed the unladen mass of the motor vehicle. The unladen mass of the
vehicle can be found in the vehicles handbook, or check with your dealer.
All trailers with a GTM exceeding 750kgs must have brakes.
End quote.
I'm not sure who wrote this below to which Bob responded, but the above
regs expand on it, in that if the trailer is fitted with brakes it can be
1.5 times the weight of the towing vehicle, otherwise it must not exceed
the weight of the vehicle:
> > Four wheel drives are used here for caravan or boat towing because of
> >the rule that the unladen towing vehicle must be heavier than the laden
> >caravan. The larger Holden and Fords just make the grade for the
> >smaller long distance touring caravans.
Once more, I'd repeat that almost anything we need to know can be found
via internet so long as we use it intelligently and seek out experts in
their field.
In this instance, the National Caravan & Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide
has been produced in response to overwhelming public demand by experts.
To quote:
In the Guide you will find a wealth of technical information, handy hints
and advice, which - when put into practice, will help you to tow your
caravan or other recreational vehicle with a greater degree of confidence
and safety.
There are currently over 330,000 registered recreational vehicles -
including caravans, camper trailers and tent trailers in Australia.
The popularity of these vehicles is growing rapidly, with new
registrations of around 18,000 units every year.
Of course, there are also innumerable other types of trailers such as boat
trailers, horse floats and the humble box trailer, which are used for both
private and commercial purposes.
But no matter what vehicle you tow and what your level of experience (from
first-timer to old hand) you will find the Guide is an invaluable
reference tool.
Refereed by nine technical experts with many years of collective towing
experience, the information in the Guide is both practical and, at the
time of publication, consistent with the applicable national road and
towing regulations.
End quote.
True, I don't live in Oz, I don't own a 4x4, I've never towed a tin shed,
nor have any inclination to do so. But the people who wrote the above
information do live in Oz, and do know about these things.
If others value their own opinions above these experts, so be it.
Not arguing, not point-scoring - just explaining.
I make no apologies for quoting from a reputable source:
http://www.towingguide.com.au/index.html
A google search "australia+caravan towing regulations" produced 6,570 hits
in under 0.5 secs. I chose the most relevant one from the top ten. It
isn't difficult.
Oh bother, 6k again.
Best wishes
David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 17:54 on 2008-Feb-14
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