macka17 wrote:

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ANY Tug that physically weighs LESS than it tow. is dangerous.
No matter what the paper on vehicle says.
Fine in straight line, But ANYTHING happens untoward. and trailer can control you.

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 That would rule out almost every truck on the road today.

Using a good hitch and correctly balanced and braked with a well maintained tug is what is important.

Pre 1989 when the new ADRs were introduced that specified towing limits set by the manufacturer, it was universal across Australia that you could tow up to 1.5 times the Gross Vehicle Mass, and, tens of thousands of us did tens of thousands of miles/kilometers quite safely.

I for one did over 40,000km towing an 18x8 Millard (1,100kg) with a 1989 1.5 litre Mitsubishi Lancer (1,680kg). The average 18' van TARED in at little more than 1,000 to 1,200 kg back then.
Fast forward to today with vans being fitted with all manner of home conveniences and those van weights have at least doubled, the tug weights have reduced by up to a third, and the tug engines are up to 50% more powerful.

Of course somethings got to change with those outdated regs!

Do remember, that pre mid 90s, Victoria and the NT were the only places in this country that you could drive at speeds exceeding 80kph if you were towing anything over 500kg.