Grey Nomads Inconsiderate?

Jamjar · Senior Member

Grey Nomads Inconsiderate?

Santa · Guru

Jamjar wrote:
I'm somewhat confused by some of the comments here. Are you saying that if you aren't prepared to do 110kph while towing a caravan etc, then you shouldn't be on the road at all?

J.

-- Edited by Jamjar on Sunday 1st of November 2015 10:58:02 AM

Morning Jamjar,

Not at all, there are genuine reasons for moving at speeds well below the posted limit i.e. towing a van etc, under these circumstances it's the drivers responsibility to be aware of the fact that they may be holding up traffic and act accordingly, stay in the left lane or pull over when safe and allow following traffic to pass, and, when you come to an overtaking lane please don't speed up making it difficult for those who wish to overtake to do so.

It's all common sense stuff, just seems a lot of drivers are devoid of this quality nowadays. smile

mjt57 · Senior Member

Interesting comments.

In a recent magazine article there was a photo of a dozen or so motorhomes parked in the Mt Hotham car park. They were on some sort of club excursion. Much the same as what I and my mates do on our motorbike rides.

On the bike it's easy to zip past slower vehicles. But climbing from Harrietville to Hotham would've been an interesting experience for anyone following these vans, bike or car.

Someone asked here how the author of that article would've known that the vans were nose to tail if she was stuck behind one. I can only assume that she'd see the line of traffic as the road curves and bends.

I'm new to this, in fact, we're still to purchase our first van (but we "bought a Jeep"). So, I'm reading as much as I can on towing big rigs as you folks call them, etiquette, the mechanics behind the equipment and so on. So, when we hit the road for our first van holiday we'll neither be a pain for other road users or those whom we share camping grounds/caravan parks, etc. with.

Vince · Senior Member

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi All,

How many on here drive at 100- 110kmph, and for 5- 10 seconds LOOKING SIDE WAYS while driving with other traffic either towing a van or motor home with a car on an A frame behind your motor home.

ANSWER NON. Because you would be DEAD along with all those other innocent folks you killed along with you.

What's the rush. Your a long time dead. Stop to smell the roses. smile

If you don't like the folks up front at 80-90kmph pull over and have a cupper and a WEEEEE. wink

By the time you get behind the wheel they will have 20km on you. If you catch back up again you deserve a ticket. cry

Regards Jim & Lambie

brickies · Guru

When determing what your top driving speed should be , See how quick and and how safely you can pull up at that speed . You then may adjust your top speed .

Chucker · Veteran Member

Does the Officer / Police go to more accidents for Slow Drivers or Fast, Impatient Drivers ???

-- Edited by Chucker on Sunday 1st of November 2015 04:05:59 PM

KFT · Guru

Chucker wrote:
Does the Officer / Police go to more accidents for Slow Drivers or Fast, Impatient Drivers ???

-- Edited by Chucker on Sunday 1st of November 2015 04:05:59 PM

Chucker that is a very good question

a possible answer is one of the 3 targeted things drivers do

Drugs/Drink

Speed

Fatigue

Thank you for asking that question and allowing me to try to answer it.

frank

Young Simmo · Guru

I think the bottom line to this whole discussion is quite simple.

Most of us have been driving for something like 40 to 50 years and have developed habits and styles that nobody is going to change in a hurry.

I know I'm not changing my style at 75, people would say he is crazy get him off the road.

So if you see me, put your mobile phone down, turn your radio volume down from the top setting and cross your fingers.

Have a nice day everybody.

Happy Young Simmo.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Some car drivers simply don't have a go.. Just sit behind and stuff things up for everyone else ..

done dreaming · Senior Member

Semi drivers sit on or just above the speed limit and look how many fatalities they are involved in.Maybe a lot of our roads are not good enough for the speed limits designated to them.

brickies · Guru

Aus -Kiwi it is the people that just have a go that cause most crashes , They call them crazy

banjo · Senior Member

We have just driven the Nullabor from West to East, I drive a bigger rig, towing with a small truck, my truck has a "sweet spot" that gives best economy and ride comfort.
This spot is 95klm/hr, at this speed I can easily sit in top gear "6th" the motor is doing 2000rpm and my economy is excellent, at this speed I don't impede the traffic too much and truckies still have no problems if they wish to pass.

Coming East we were constantly stuck behind people towing vans at 75/85klm/hr ! this reduces my momentum and causes my truck to "hunt" between 5th and 6th gear constantly.
It kills my economy as in 5th I'm doing 2400rpm. and in 6th not fast enough to be in the perfect torque band that the truck is set up for. To pass these slowcoaches I have to find the perfect spot as my rig is over 17m long, and try and get some momentum to perform the manoever safely.

Most of these traffic impeders are running 18'/20' vans towed by 200 series cruisers or other quite capable vehicles, just trying to save a few cents by crawling along on perfectly good open roads.

This is the other side of the coin, I don't race anywhere with our rig, I can't, but there is a reason why a slight increase in speed would save a lot of frustration. But I will concede if you do not feel safe traveling at a reasonable speed then by all means do it, but pull over now and again and think of the poor buggers stuck behind you who aren't in a hurry but would just like to travel at a fair and economical speed.

mjt57 · Senior Member

Banjo said...

"Most of these traffic impeders are running 18'/20' vans towed by 200 series cruisers or other quite capable vehicles, just trying to save a few cents by crawling along on perfectly good open roads."

Either that or their incompetance is showing through.

Young Simmo · Guru

There are 23 million people in Australia and every one is different, reading these comments makes me think we should all be like sheep. Sorry, I will do it my way, and you can go past or stay behind the choice is yours. Other wise, tell all those people with camper trailers, to please go and buy a 5th Wheeler.

Simmo.

03_Troopy · Guru

Young Simmo wrote:
There are 23 million people in Australia and every one is different, reading these comments makes me think we should all be like sheep. Sorry, I will do it my way, and you can go past or stay behind the choice is yours. Other wise, tell all those people with camper trailers, to please go and buy a 5th Wheeler.
Simmo.

Oy, don't knock camper trailers. We had one for a few years and it travelled along nicely at 110KPH behind the Troopy. biggrin

brickies · Guru

If slower traffic is a big problem travel at night lots of truckie do that now , Also you can always stop and smell the rose , I would not think a grey nomad would be in hurry to get anywhere

Young Simmo · Guru

03_Troopy wrote:
Young Simmo wrote:
There are 23 million people in Australia and every one is different, reading these comments makes me think we should all be like sheep. Sorry, I will do it my way, and you can go past or stay behind the choice is yours. Other wise, tell all those people with camper trailers, to please go and buy a 5th Wheeler.
Simmo.
Oy, don't knock camper trailers. We had one for a few years and it travelled along nicely at 110KPH behind the Troopy.

Not knocking them mate, just trying to be sarcastic.

Simmo.

Baz421 · Guru

banjo wrote:
We have just driven the Nullabor from West to East, I drive a bigger rig, towing with a small truck, my truck has a "sweet spot" that gives best economy and ride comfort.
This spot is 95klm/hr, at this speed I can easily sit in top gear "6th" the motor is doing 2000rpm and my economy is excellent, at this speed I don't impede the traffic too much and truckies still have no problems if they wish to pass.

Coming East we were constantly stuck behind people towing vans at 75/85klm/hr ! this reduces my momentum and causes my truck to "hunt" between 5th and 6th gear constantly.
It kills my economy as in 5th I'm doing 2400rpm. and in 6th not fast enough to be in the perfect torque band that the truck is set up for. To pass these slowcoaches I have to find the perfect spot as my rig is over 17m long, and try and get some momentum to perform the manoever safely.

Most of these traffic impeders are running 18'/20' vans towed by 200 series cruisers or other quite capable vehicles, just trying to save a few cents by crawling along on perfectly good open roads.

This is the other side of the coin, I don't race anywhere with our rig, I can't, but there is a reason why a slight increase in speed would save a lot of frustration. But I will concede if you do not feel safe traveling at a reasonable speed then by all means do it, but pull over now and again and think of the poor buggers stuck behind you who aren't in a hurry but would just like to travel at a fair and economical speed.

So let me see if I've read your post correctly.

You are right and everyone else is wrong.

You travel at your so called "sweet spot" but no one else can.

How hypocritical.

Happy to be corrected if I read it wrong Banjo.

banjo · Senior Member

Baz421 wrote:
banjo wrote:
We have just driven the Nullabor from West to East, I drive a bigger rig, towing with a small truck, my truck has a "sweet spot" that gives best economy and ride comfort.
This spot is 95klm/hr, at this speed I can easily sit in top gear "6th" the motor is doing 2000rpm and my economy is excellent, at this speed I don't impede the traffic too much and truckies still have no problems if they wish to pass.

Coming East we were constantly stuck behind people towing vans at 75/85klm/hr ! this reduces my momentum and causes my truck to "hunt" between 5th and 6th gear constantly.
It kills my economy as in 5th I'm doing 2400rpm. and in 6th not fast enough to be in the perfect torque band that the truck is set up for. To pass these slowcoaches I have to find the perfect spot as my rig is over 17m long, and try and get some momentum to perform the manoever safely.

Most of these traffic impeders are running 18'/20' vans towed by 200 series cruisers or other quite capable vehicles, just trying to save a few cents by crawling along on perfectly good open roads.

This is the other side of the coin, I don't race anywhere with our rig, I can't, but there is a reason why a slight increase in speed would save a lot of frustration. But I will concede if you do not feel safe traveling at a reasonable speed then by all means do it, but pull over now and again and think of the poor buggers stuck behind you who aren't in a hurry but would just like to travel at a fair and economical speed.
So let me see if I've read your post correctly.
You are right and everyone else is wrong.
You travel at your so called "sweet spot" but no one else can.
How hypocritical.
Happy to be corrected if I read it wrong Banjo.

Nowhere did I say I was right or wrong, I just gave another reason why someone may want to travel a little faster. You obviously didn't see this, so be it.

Do I really care ?

No.

Delta18 · Guru

It is the old, old story. Anyone going faster than us is a frickin' maniac, anyone going slower is a 'road hog'! confuse smile

Incorrectly calibrated speedos are some of the problem, somebody thinking they are driving at 90kmh by their speedo may only be doing 82 - 83 actual.

Just today we returned from Jurien Bay to Pinjarra, 300 odd km, I was driving at 95 - 105kmh by my speedo and only came up to a few vans doing maybe 85kmh. Because of the largish speed differential I could sweep past them in very little road space. Had they been doing closer to my speed I would have found it more difficult to pass.

With truck driving in my past life I have learnt to pass slower vehicles without fuss and in fact the slower they go in relation to my speed the easier it is to pass them as I spend less time on the 'wrong' side of the road.

I think some people cussing slow drivers could maybe do with some lessons on how to pass safely. evileye

Radar · Guru

Delta18 wrote:
It is the old, old story. Anyone going faster than us is a frickin' maniac, anyone going slower is a 'road hog'!
Incorrectly calibrated speedos are some of the problem, somebody thinking they are driving at 90kmh by their speedo may only be doing 82 - 83 actual.
Just today we returned from Jurien Bay to Pinjarra, 300 odd km, I was driving at 95 - 105kmh by my speedo and only came up to a few vans doing maybe 85kmh. Because of the largish speed differential I could sweep past them in very little road space. Had they been doing closer to my speed I would have found it more difficult to pass.
With truck driving in my past life I have learnt to pass slower vehicles without fuss and in fact the slower they go in relation to my speed the easier it is to pass them as I spend less time on the 'wrong' side of the road.
I think some people cussing slow drivers could maybe do with some lessons on how to pass safely.

So true Delta so very true. Our Nissan Navara 8ks out at 100ks,

From years of driving transports, something doing 90ks is a breeze to pass, when there speed is above 95 is more nerve raking and a lot of plañing goes into it to do the job in safety.

Good comment. Radar.

DarylC · Veteran Member

I try to sit on the speed limit when there is traffic around & often get comments from truckies on being a responsible caravaner.
In fact the other day on the road from St Arnaud to Avoca in Victoria I was sitting on 100kph (by the GPS, 106 by the speedo) with a truckie behind me.
I called him up & offered to pullover or back off if he wanted to come around but he was very happy to see a van at speed that he could sit behind.
He had plenty to say about the annoying "Grey Nomads" that sit below the speed limit & don't make any effort to make his job easier. Selfish is the word he used & I concur.

I feel perfectly safe sitting on 100kph or 110kph (120kph in NT) & wonder if people who don't feel comfortable at those speeds must have the wrong set up?

As mentioned above it is easier to pass a vehicle going well below the speed limit .... BUT only if there is room to pass otherwise you can be stuck behind for several kms.

If I see a vehicle coming up behind at a greater speed I will make every effort to let them get around either pulling over or braking as they go around me.

In my mind it's just common courtesy.

banjo · Senior Member

DarylC wrote:
I try to sit on the speed limit when there is traffic around & often get comments from truckies on being a responsible caravaner.
In fact the other day on the road from St Arnaud to Avoca in Victoria I was sitting on 100kph (by the GPS, 106 by the speedo) with a truckie behind me.
I called him up & offered to pullover or back off if he wanted to come around but he was very happy to see a van at speed that he could sit behind.
He had plenty to say about the annoying "Grey Nomads" that sit below the speed limit & don't make any effort to make his job easier. Selfish is the word he used & I concur.

I feel perfectly safe sitting on 100kph or 110kph (120kph in NT) & wonder if people who don't feel comfortable at those speeds must have the wrong set up?

As mentioned above it is easier to pass a vehicle going well below the speed limit .... BUT only if there is room to pass otherwise you can be stuck behind for several kms.

If I see a vehicle coming up behind at a greater speed I will make every effort to let them get around either pulling over or braking as they go around me.

In my mind it's just common courtesy.

DarylC

Well said and a perfect explanation, of good driving manners and courtesy, how it should be.

mjt57 · Senior Member

Found another long thread about caravan drivers and how they should have to have licences to tow. It stems from a Dashcam Owners sourced video where a van starts to merge right and gets squeezed by a truck passing it. http://www.candm.com.au/watch-caravan-collides-with-truck/

Hey Jim · Guru

Brain x 2

We have a 200GX TTD and its sweet spot is 102km in fifth at 1800rpm towing 2000kg boat total with everthing folded down in the boat, no roof racks, with the TC locked up all day, up hill and down dale. We do the same trips across the Nullabor to Exmouth getting 16.2 - 17.6 constantly both ways.

Out new pop top van (delivery late Dec ) is 2000kg unladen. So will be keen to see how she tow's.

jim

03_Troopy · Guru

Here's a couple:

HiAce98 · Veteran Member

Sorry Dorian but I have too much fun holding up impatient drivers to just stay home.
And Santa, anyone who drives in the "duel" lane should expect to get into a duel! Pistols at 50 paces maybe? Or did you mean dual?

03_Troopy · Guru

HiAce98 wrote:
Sorry Dorian but I have too much fun holding up impatient drivers to just stay home.
And Santa, anyone who drives in the "duel" lane should expect to get into a duel! Pistols at 50 paces maybe? Or did you mean dual?

Well it's easy to see how these articles get started, with attitudes like yours.

antigoon · Veteran Member

In the last six months I have twice driven from Melbourne to Townsville return and also Melbourne to Perth return. Along the way I came across many nomads travelling in vans and for the most part this was not a problem. Often, there was a convoy of vans, not that this is a problem in itself, but the fact many would not leave room between themselves and the van in front was the cause of frustration. It matters little whether you want to drive at 70,80, or even 90 kmh so long as you leave a gap in between. For a car this is not so much of a problem, but it was a problem for trucks and other nomads who wanted to travel at 100 kmh. I found few nomads responded to calls on Channel 40 to see if they might be willing to drop back to create a gap despite advertising such on the rear of their vans.

Worst of all were the nomad vans in far north Queensland who wold speed up to 110 kmh as soon an overtaking opportunity presented itself. I would like to say this was a rare experience but it happened several times over the past couple of years.