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

[Bird]

isnt it amazing the different forms of logic in this country.

one end realises that people can make their own decisions
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/10/15/326156_ntnews.html

while the other end is doing their best to take every cent off you they can
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/10/15/08/42/vic-launches-hidden-mobile-speed-traps


So much for "uniform" road rules.

[KingBilly]

So much for "uniform" road rules.

The rules are pretty much uniform but I think their interpretation and enforcement are another matter entirely 

KB

[Bird]

The rules are pretty much uniform but I think their interpretation and enforcement are another matter entirely 

KB

uniform....


or

[KingBilly]

Oh Lost, you've done it again 

KB

PS Or is it just to help you crack the 10 big uns?

[elle.mac]

wow interesting about the 100kmh when towing in WA - think I had better pay attention to the speedo - but would be interesting if an interstate driver is caught above that and contests it - i know when QLD wasn't mandatory to display P plates if you got caught without it in NSW and fined you could challenge it and get off as you are licenced under QLD laws.

[TOPNDR]

I'm at a loss to understand why anyone would think they could successfully contest the speed limit in WA just because it's different in other states.  I have no doubt the magistrate hearing you plead your case, won't give a toss, in fact if the magistrate is a native of WA he'll just mumble about bloody easterners and fine you double! 

[Bunyip]

I reckon many of us would be surpisingly close to or even over that 4.5t mark.

Like Crisp Image said, be careful not to mix up Gross Vehicle Mass (individual vehicle) and Gross Combined Mass (combined total of vehicle and trailers).

Having had to take two learners through 120 hours I can tell you that when on country roads I keep a watch of cars behind us (and get the learner too as well) and when there are a couple of cars, or a long time with no overtaking opportunities, I get them to pull over when it is safe.

As said driving too slowly can be jsut as dangerous as driving too fast, people get impatient quickly (LB will say i do this) and tend to do stupid things (I try not to do this, rather just rant and rave inside our vehicle).

Bunyip

[Pipeliner]

I think the question should be "Why do people feel the need to drive slower when towing than when not towing?"  If it's because their tow vehicle isn't powerful enough to tow at normal road speeds then IMO they shouldn't be towing anyway - similarly if the trailer starts becoming unstable at higher speeds, or the front of the tow vehicle is so light that the steering loses control.

I tow my 1500kg trailer behind my 2.8CRD Jeep and the only time I am physically aware of it being there is going over the Toowoomba Ranges or Cunninghams Gap - and on both those roads I am less of a problem than the semis and B-doubles.  Other than that I can motor along at the speed limit without a problem.

As regards fuel economy, last Christmas going down to Adelaide I did half the journey with the cruise set at 100 and the other half at 80, and the difference was about 2L/100 - say $3.50/100km on average.  What sort of vehicle was saving $50/day???

[Bird]

Learners in Victoria can sit on the speedlimit
Im fairly sure in NSW they have to stick to 80 Max - is that still the way? Also they arent allowed to tow a trailer

[Bunyip]

Learners in Victoria can sit on the speedlimit
Im fairly sure in NSW they have to stick to 80 Max - is that still the way? Also they arent allowed to tow a trailer

Correct Lost, max 80 Kph and no trailers allowed.

Problem is once they get their P plates and can tow a trailer they know absolutely everything so will not listen to an old fart teaching them how to reverse etc..

Bunyip

[Bird]

Correct Lost, max 80 Kph and no trailers allowed.

Problem is once they get their P plates and can tow a trailer they know absolutely everything so will not listen to an old fart teaching them how to reverse etc..

Ok, how does a learner from Victoria stand in NSW or vice versa?

Th sad part is kids are only taught how to pass their licence.. not how to drive. If you failed those that dont deserve to pass, they would drive anyway.

[treads]

Ok, how does a learner from Victoria stand in NSW or vice versa?

When in Rome, do as the Roman's do

[elle.mac]

Another thought is the loophole that exists when moving states - if you only have your Autos in QLD you technically can drive a manual if you move and transfer your Licence to NT even if you don't have a clue.

[Bird]

When in Rome, do as the Roman's do

missing the point... why is a learner considered skilled enough on one side of border to to the limit and then cross a magic line and instantly be considered not as skilled so must drop speed..  just another one of our ****ed up rules/laws.. That makes it 2309482098023984029834029384098 now.

[treads]

missing the point...

No, I was just answering your original question. It's the same as us being able to do u-turns at lights; but in NSW you can't (unless otherwise signposted).

I don't make the rules 

[Footy Shorts Shane]

I don't make the rules 

The rules are that stupid, conflicting and consequences of knee jerk reactions here in Qld, that a lot  of those who enforce them here have little to no idea of the rules/regulations/legislation. And then there's the NCOP..................

Shane.

[Bird]

And then there's the NCOP..................

I've alwys wondered what that stands for
N  ever
C oming
O ....
P  eople


The O has me

[Jeepers Creepers]

Speed signs are only a guide to work from anyway...... 

I'm the same as some of the others, if it's a 100 zone, we do a 100+ 10% until recently, when the margins changed.
Now its the signed number + 5% and yes, i do tend to get nabbed once in a while.

I'd be mortified if i was holding up traffic, as i get the tom tits when someone does it to me.

The ol Jeep shuffles down a gear or two and gets itself over most climbs without issue or dropping under the magic number.

I might add here too, the CT behind the Jeep behaves very well, so towing at a decent speed is easy.

[Marschy]

"Why do people feel the need to drive slower when towing than when not towing?"

1. Increased braking distance
2. Decreased vehicle maneuverability should something bounce in front of the vehicle

I typically drop my speed between 5-10 kph because I'm towing a bloody heavy camper trailer, not because my car is not powerful enough.

Cheers, Marschy

[Footy Shorts Shane]

The O has me

Out.

It's best to stay in the closet.

[albany_nomads]

I'm at a loss to understand why anyone would think they could successfully contest the speed limit in WA just because it's different in other states.  I have no doubt the magistrate hearing you plead your case, won't give a toss, in fact if the magistrate is a native of WA he'll just mumble about bloody easterners and fine you double! 

Dead right... If I drive in the eastern states like I am at the moment ( I'm  driving in Tassie ) it's my responsibility to a adhere to that states road
rules . No magistrate would have pity on me coz  I'm from WA. :-)


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[albany_nomads]

1. Increased braking distance
2. Decreased vehicle maneuverability should something bounce in front of the vehicle

I typically drop my speed between 5-10 kph because I'm towing a bloody heavy camper trailer, not because my car is not powerful enough.

Cheers, Marschy

Again dead right


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[lindamc]

1. Increased braking distance
2. Decreased vehicle maneuverability should something bounce in front of the vehicle

I typically drop my speed between 5-10 kph because I'm towing a bloody heavy camper trailer, not because my car is not powerful enough.

Cheers, Marschy

Agreed! But for me my car struggles towing that weight up hills so we are forced to slow down...but damned if that means I shouldn't be towing cos my cars not powerful enough!!!!

[Black-Pig]

I drop my speed for a few reasons, fuel economy, braking distance and for the fact I have had a trailer I was towing take me off the road, in dry conditions doing less than 80, and I can tell you this really puts the wind up you and makes the bum grip the seat real hard when that happens.
Before you ask I don't know why it suddenly got the sways up as it was loaded pretty even with a little extra in the front for tow ball weight.

[bushbandit]

This same question came up on the Caravan and Motorhome Forum a few years ago when i owned one and it was a hot topic of debate on there as well.