Is it expected we tow our camper at the speed limit??

[weeds]

I try as much as I can travel at the speed limit......on the flat no problems as I can belt along all day at 105, as soon as it gets hilly I'm flat to the boards and going backwards

If I come up behind somebody that's cruising at say 90km/hr I just sit back with enough space for others to leap frog me and than the one in front.....mainly cause I just ain't got enough up and go to get around quickly and safely.....if I'm held,up for ages than we just stop for a break and kick the footy

Plus I'm on holidays so no big rush

I read plenty of arguments that if you cannot do the speed limit than you shouldn't be towing......

Thoughts?? I am assuming most on would understand towing and touring but ya never know


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[JCAT]

I like to sit on 90-95 when towing if I am not in a hurry.

The difference in fuel consumption on our recent trip by dropping 10 km/h hour was around $50 over the day - 850 k's. That is a huge difference to the hip pocket. Our big trip next year is going to be around 15000 k's, probably somewhere in the vicinity of $1000 difference over the trip. A no brainer really.

[Landyline]

Tow at whatever speed you please but if you're holding up traffic then let people past one way or another when safe.

[Barry G]

Tow at whatever speed you please but if you're holding up traffic then let people past one way or another when safe.

X 2.  The limit is a maximum not a minimum.  Drive safely at a speed that is comfortable for you and your vehicle, be considerate of other road users, and enjoy your trip!

[Symon]

I read plenty of arguments that if you cannot do the speed limit than you shouldn't be towing......

Thoughts?? I am assuming most on would understand towing and touring but ya never know

I'm one of those people.  I don't mind if someone is cruising in the 90's, in fact I have been known to plug along at 90 myself on occasion.

But people who sit on 80 or less are downright dangerous unless they pull over on a regular basis.  If they pull over I don't see much of a problem, but many don't.  From talking to these people over the radio some really don't care that they are holding up traffic and creating a dangerous situation.  These are the people who should not be on the road.

[rodw]

I'd driven many vehicles that are barely capable of doing 70 let alone 80 and the speed limit is way out of reach. But rather than hang back and wait for someone to pass you, let the guy behind see the road ahead as soon as he gets up to you and pull over and let him by at the first available opportunity. People who ignore upcoming traffic from behind really annoy me. If you are considerate to them, they won't loose their patience and then do something silly that could tangle you up with them. With my pop top I sit on abut 92 km/hr. I once passed a van in convoy chatting on the CB doing about 70 and he had no idea I was behind him until I was beside them. Road was straight and no oncoming so I just stuck to my speed all the way.

[Rumpig]

i'm a firm beleiver in travel at whatever speed you like, just maintain the same speed when it comes an opportunity for people to overtake ie...don't speed up at overtaking lanes people 
i myself tow at atleast the speed limit most of the time, nothing ****s me more then fools speeding up when you overtake them with a trailer on the back or having them suddenly speed up when the overtaking lane starts. if i get on a windy or steep road and see someone being held up behind me, i will try and move over somewhere to let them get past, it's just common curtisy IMHO.

[nbd73]

Buddy, I don't have this problem but Symon made some valid observations.  Agreed the limit is a max not a min but 1 qualifier I would put to that is 1 lane roads in which case Symon's philosiphy comes into play: pull over when its safe if you cant keep up with the limit.  We all need to be considerate of other road users and the limits of their individual set ups, but this works both ways ie patience with others tempered with consideration.  In a perfect world we would all be towing with vehicles that can handle any slope etc but this aint the case, and in any event what one person considers safe and legal isnt always the same approach of the vehicle behind or in front of you.  In all reality there is no right or wrong response to this, I have often pulled over for the "tailgater" behind who is in a hurry, only to pass them at the next servo while they fill up, get a pie or whatever.   

[smartyingreen]

As a professional driver and a driving instructor within my industry we teach to drive to the conditions and within the vehicles capabilities. This to most of us with naturally aspirated tanks dragging an extra few kilo means we are rarely going to make the speed limit in open zones.
I do believe within speed restricted areas there should be no real reason to tow another 15- 20kph below, this does frustrate most.
When towing myself I will try and give those behind good vision and opportunities to pass. Having said that if they choose multiple times not to take it I will eventually give them no more opportunities.
And yes, speed up when I plan on going around you at an overtaking lane - you will get a nasty look!

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[rossm]

Sometimes the speed is less important, like when you have three or four caravanners who are so afraid to be out on the road that they tailgate, giving faster vehicles no chance to leapfrog through the convoy. I know a guy who does some caravan training and I have mentioned this to him and he just rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Yes, he says, he tries to  drum it in, but some people just don't get it. My son goes to geraldton each month on business and the caravanners on brand highway drive him mental. God knows what it is like for truck drivers who put up with it all the time. 

[albany_nomads]

I try as much as I can travel at the speed limit......on the flat no problems as I can belt along all day at 105, as soon as it gets hilly I'm flat to the boards and going backwards


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I. Can only speak for WA but if you are towing your camper at  105 km/ hr then you are breaking the law
Don't know what the limit is in other states but max for trailers and caravans in WA is a MAX of 100 km/hr


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[Dion]

As others have said, if you have to tow at below the speed limit, be courteous and don't hog the road.

I also hate it when dimwits decide they don't want to be passed by a 4WD towing and speed up.  Had that happen to me going up Cunninghams gap recently, idiot in a Prado decided he didn't want a Pajero passing him so he floored it as I came up to him.  Luckily the Paj was already well underway and his dumb exercise didn't really impact me, but it could have ended up tears if I had to brake hard and pull back in.   

[nbd73]

As others have said, if you have to tow at below the speed limit, be courteous and don't hog the road.

I also hate it when dimwits decide they don't want to be passed by a 4WD towing and speed up.  Had that happen to me going up Cunninghams gap recently, idiot in a Prado decided he didn't want a Pajero passing him so he floored it as I came up to him.  Luckily the Paj was already well underway and his dumb exercise didn't really impact me, but it could have ended up tears if I had to brake hard and pull back in.   

I hear ya, happens ALL the time.  People see a trailer under tow and decide they MUST get in front because you will be slow, for 200series diesel owners this is a moot point as we are generally able to keep up, if not set the pace even with said trailer on the back.  Not trying to boast, merely agree.  It's not dissimilar to the good old traffic light scenario where a single lane road splits into 2 for a set of lights and then has  a merge straight after it.  Designed for one thing: drag racing and queue jumping.  The number of idiots that jump into the other lane just to go 0.0005 km/h faster mounts daily, what these people think they achieve is theirs to take to the grave and good on them, the rest of us just breathe in and forget it ( except for rants on myswag like this!!)

[TOPNDR]

Weeds. Mate. You need a TTD 200 Series!  . It'll do the speed limit, no worries.

Personally I think it all boils down to consideration.  If a vehicle can't, or the driver doesn't want, to do the speed list assuming road & weather conditions are suitable, they should pull over and let the traffic past.

Unlike the old codger the other day on the Kennedy Hwy, doing 70 from Atherton to Mareeba.  He was hunched over the wheel, probably sh!tting himself with a long line of traffic backed up behind. And Macy so frustrated that they overtook him on bends, and across double white lines.  Others will plod until an overtaking lane appears, then speed up to stay "in front". 

[treads]

Weeds. Mate. You need a TTD 200 Series!  . It'll do the speed limit, no worries.

I somehow doubt Weeds will be changing to a Toyota any time soon 

[fishfinder]

I. Can only speak for WA but if you are towing your camper at  105 km/ hr then you are breaking the law
Don't know what the limit is in other states but max for trailers and caravans in WA is a MAX of 100 km/hr


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is that only for braked trailers ? and for trailers not fitted with brakes 90km/hr ?

[JCAT]

In Vic, if you are twoing a trailer, braked or unbraked, the speed limit is 100 km/h even if you are in a 110 km/h zone. Whether it is enforced or not???

[D4D]

In Vic, if you are twoing a trailer, braked or unbraked, the speed limit is 100 km/h even if you are in a 110 km/h zone. Whether it is enforced or not???

Really?

[muzza01]

I am in the same boat as you weeds. Our 105 will happily tow the CT at 100 Kms along flat roads but quickly pulls up on hills.  I drive safely and pull over to let others pass when the opportunity is presented.  Most people give me a wave of thanks when I do this.

[KingBilly]

I. Can only speak for WA but if you are towing your camper at  105 km/ hr then you are breaking the law
Don't know what the limit is in other states but max for trailers and caravans in WA is a MAX of 100 km/hr

is that only for braked trailers ? and for trailers not fitted with brakes 90km/hr ?

In Vic, if you are twoing a trailer, braked or unbraked, the speed limit is 100 km/h even if you are in a 110 km/h zone. Whether it is enforced or not???

Three "opinions" on speed limits when towing.  Any of you three care to quote some legislation to back up your claims?  I thought Australia had uniform road rules.

KB

[ozbogwam]

Three "opinions" on speed limits when towing.  Any of you three care to quote some legislation to back up your claims?  I thought Australia had uniform road rules.

KB

Uniform road rules, if only that were true.

[KingBilly]

Uniform road rules, if only that were true.

That's my understanding.  Will check some legislation.

KB

[weeds]

I. Can only speak for WA but if you are towing your camper at  105 km/ hr then you are breaking the law
Don't know what the limit is in other states but max for trailers and caravans in WA is a MAX of 100 km/hr


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105km/hr on the speedo.........which equats to 98/99km/hr on the GPS

[Alan Loy]

I think that if a driver or there rig cannot safely do 80 kph then they shouldn't be on the road.  The closing speeds are much to high for safety under this not to mention the frustration of other drivers.

Leaving a gap in front is the most basic courtesy and should be compulsory if it's not already.

Why oh why do people speed up in passing lanes

[weeds]

I somehow doubt Weeds will be changing to a Toyota any time soon 

 

i did briefly start looking at 76 series.......