Towing Weight Legalities

rockylizard · Guru

Towing Weight Legalities

Yuglamron · Guru

Absolutely agree.

I just read that article too.

So many companies are doing this. Overstating the capabilities of their products. Towing and loading figures.

Some of these caravans need something like a Ford F350 to be absolutely legal.

The VW emissions debacle is such a big thing in the media, but why are they not going after companies that are putting peoples lives at risk by their claims about towing capabilities.

Read the books by Collyn Rivers about towing and loading. Sensible stuff.

Why do people put things on the back of their Caravans?

Tool boxes fuel/water containers etc.

A kilo at the rear can act like a ten kilo pendulum.

Friar Park · Senior Member

Not every person that uses a caravan or other rv is a dumbo

Some of us actually do have qualifications in mechanical engineering and know a bit about moments of inertia

Do you

Friar

Yuglamron · Guru

Yes Qualified engineer. Nowhere was the term Dumbo used.

Most people would consider Pat Callinan up to date with the rules re Towing. I refer to his online webpage. Even he is well aware of the extravagant claims made by Car companies.

Check out his latest offering.

http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue016/#55

This is a YouTube video that graphically shows what happens when your weight in your van is loaded at the front and rear. Same overall weight just loaded differently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=27&v=PFzrWHTG5e8

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 05:22:30 PM

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 05:55:35 PM

rockylizard · Guru

Friar Park wrote:
Not every person that uses a caravan or other rv is a dumbo
Some of us actually do have qualifications in mechanical engineering and know a bit about moments of inertia
Do you
Friar

Gday...

Sorry if providing the information offended you Friar. cry That certainly was NOT the intention.

Neither was it the intention to assume that anybody had no understanding of the way the 'capabilities' of the various vehicles are represented by manufacturers/marketers/sales people.

I would like to think the information falls under the category of forewarned is forearmed and may, in some way, assist members in having a slightly deeper knowledge and appreciation of the 'specifications' of, and how they apply to, vehicles on the market and how they can, or should not, be used.

I would be quite confident someone with the training, experience and qualification you have, would have been more attuned to assisting those without that training, experience and qualification so they may better understand what they may encounter when choosing and using a vehicle.

Cheers - and thanks for enlightening me - John

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Rocky - the rest of us are not experts and do really appreciate so many posts you put up about subjects like this, espcially when youve hunted down various URLs for us to read.

We appreciate your help John :)

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Load a car on car trailer backwards .. Unless Beatle VW.. Really gets your attention..

Radar · Guru

Hi All.

You know it is the hardest thing trying to tell people they are overloading there vehicles.

Been in the heavy transport industry 43 years to my retirement, good friend with similar score of years for the love of me can't get though to him with car and caravan weights.

Dual cab ute 3 tonne towing cap. extra 120 litres of fuel on board, 2 spares, tool box I love to have in my shed, 2 super large batteries, 2 portable frigs, a solar panel and thats the ute and there is more.

Now hang a large caravan of the back, have I painted a picture.

The real life saver here is he is a very competent driver, with his ability he could pass any test you put in front of him with a steering wheel.

The point I am trying to make one driver could get away with it and then there is a lot that don't stand a chance and it for these we hope read any article that placed for them to read.

I know I am mostly right with my weights as I spent the money and weighed the lot before and after. Ralph.