Just yesterday I was on a trip from Wagga Wagga to the South coast to visit family via the Hume Hwy. Come onto the Hume from Wagga and spotted a van approx. a klm ahead. I was only towing a 6 x 4 trailer this time and had cruise set on 104 klms. I don't speed at all, too costly for fuel and also knew that there was a little weekend blitz on, coppers everywhere. This rig slowly pulled away and when I exited the Hume at Yass to get onto the Barton Hwy I had cut his lead down to about 500 mtrs. A lot of times I lost him on the gradients but the overall question is why push so hard, use so much fuel and why take so many risks at speed. It wasn't a small van but any means, I could see it had a bogie axle but unsure of the length?
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Age does not weary us, makes us go travelling more
Not wanting to sound "picky" but if you had reduced his lead from 1km to 500 metres and you were doing 104kph then he would have been doing the legal speed limit (100kph?) so well within the law.
Personally in my Territory with the van I cruise at 90 kph, but if I had a twin turbo 200 series Landcruiser I'd sit on the limit whatever it was. Also if I had a 200 series I could afford the extra fuel!
Yep so many break the limit too,,, I was legally doing 110k on the SE freeway out of Adelaide in 2009 (car only NO VAN) and a 4wd and van about 24 ft I would guess passed me as if I was standing still,
What I always ask is what would the do if they blew a REAR TYRE ON THEIR TUG especially shorter wheelbase models,,, would be a disaster in many instances IMHO.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Three years ago on the Hume Highway, I had a grease seal on our Jayco Eagle go at 100Kph & did not know it. I'm very thankful towards a young couple in their Mercedes sports car for waving me down 41Kms south of Gundagai. The axle was shot as the bearings were welded to the stub axle. Only the inner bearing had some appearance of a bearing! Five minutes later, I would have been a statistic.
Warren
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
So you where more worried he was going faster than you over distance .. Just worry about your rig and driving .. Saving your money and fuel .. It was only. 6X4 trailer .. Light as !
I believe that in NSW if you are towing and have a combined mass that is greater than 4500kg the maximum speed limit is 100kmh regardless of whether the sign posted speed limit is greater than that, this may also be the case for the other states as well.
Adding to the speed element, why do people drive up to 800kms per day? If they're retired they should do things in smaller increments because they're missing so many great places along the way.
A lot of people say that they've been to a certain town but actually all they've done is drive through it & know nothing whatsoever about it.
Slow down, take things easy & take time to really see this great country of ours. At a more relaxed speed you can actually enjoy the scenery while you're driving.
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
Heck yes . Agree with stopping in towns for look around etc . Trouble is over 40 or so years we've been flat out to see or do things on Holliday on max of 4 weeks annual leave ! It takes some time to get used to s l o w i n g down life style wise . Having said that about driving . Long time ago when upgrading my licence I stopped at rounderbout and a few other things to be SAFE !! The instructor said if don't GO when you should I'll have to mark as not confident driver ! I've always kept that in mind !! This isn't so much about speed ! More about merging etc . Getting up to speed of traffic etc .
We drive at 80 -90 kph with the van on. I have the distinct record of only passing another vehicle on roads other than towns and cities, about 6 times on our last trip of 15,000 klms.
I Arrived same at each destination, and to my knowledge I did not cause any one else to be at a disadvantage due to my driving habits.We rarely travel more than 150 - 200 klms in a day. After all we are Grey Nomads and our lifestyle is to enjoy the journey.
If the limit is not 100 when towing a caravan/trailer then it should be ! We have all almost been put off the road by B-Doubles passing at excessive speed and complained so isn't towing a caravan at speeds in excess of 100 hypocritical ?
I find 90 a comfortable speed which can be maintained without interfering with other road users.
I always have and shall continue to drive at 2000 revs or below. It usually works out at an average speed of between 85 to 90 Klm's per hour. Gives me my best fuel economy and less fatigue. Also remembering they are "speed limits and not a challenge". Travel safe all.
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Yep, in the Big State it's 100 if you're towing anything! I believe that is as it should be. We still have our fair share of people who think they know better than the law. The amount of progress made on a long trip is often offset by the extra stops for fuel anyway.
I'm with DD. We did no more than 2-300km hops on our ES run and still missed plenty. Bad habit of slow morning getaways We simply didn't give a s***f. Laid back.
Just yesterday I was on a trip from Wagga Wagga to the South coast to visit family via the Hume Hwy. Come onto the Hume from Wagga and spotted a van approx. a klm ahead. I was only towing a 6 x 4 trailer this time and had cruise set on 104 klms. I don't speed at all, too costly for fuel and also knew that there was a little weekend blitz on, coppers everywhere. This rig slowly pulled away and when I exited the Hume at Yass to get onto the Barton Hwy I had cut his lead down to about 500 mtrs. A lot of times I lost him on the gradients but the overall question is why push so hard, use so much fuel and why take so many risks at speed. It wasn't a small van but any means, I could see it had a bogie axle but unsure of the length?
What is the speed limit for towing with a trailer. It is 100 kph here in WA I thought it was the same in all states
Well we just did a trip to Coober pedy and back home (northern Vic ) I were predominatly doing around 85 to 95 k and were passed heaps of times by both camper trailers and vans alike .
Just for the record my speedo is accurate, how many of you have tested your speed against a Gps device or even an app on your smart phone as most cars read 5 and some 10 k more than their actual speed, this can give you a false sense that other drivers are speeding when they actually are not .
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Well we just did a trip to Coober pedy and back home (northern Vic ) I were predominatly doing around 85 to 95 k and were passed heaps of times by both camper trailers and vans alike . Just for the record my speedo is accurate, how many of you have tested your speed against a Gps device or even an app on your smart phone as most cars read 5 and some 10 k more than their actual speed, this can give you a false sense that other drivers are speeding when they actually are not .
I usually don't get too involved in many forums at all these days. been there and done that and seen so much crap and so many fallouts amongst so many people.
But my biggest concern is not the driver of the vehicle but the "little people" who are usually in their car seats in the back. they are usually the biggest losers if something happens to mum or Dad.
Before anyone starts jumping up and down about what I say it's my own personal opinion. I spent 15 yrs in the SES and have dealt with accidents, trauma, carnage and death. Most of the accidents you attended could in some way have been prevented if only..............a lot was put down to speed etc. and towing vans included in these accidents. Luckily no deaths with vans up till I got out of the squad.
But I will say, no one on this forum or any other forum will tell me accidents just happen, wait till you deal with 6 family members wiped out in a split second due to a stupid mistake. It happens and it's who's left behind to deal with the aftermath. You will probably say what's this got to do with the topic I started, simple, it can happen with someone speeding BUT I sincerely hope it's not caused by someone towing a van.
No more comments from me.
I rest my case.
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Age does not weary us, makes us go travelling more
Cruizer.
You more than most. Know the consequences of.
as do the old school long dist, truck drivers.
We've seen some horrific ones over the yrs.
UNLESS it Mechanical.
an "accident" is always caused by a human. Inattention. Distraction. Speed.
basically
another one I've seen a few of. Were loose kids in the back. OR a big dog.
There's, Basically. NO SUCH THING. as an "accident"
They all caused by??. Human, or Mechanical error.
Mechanical "mainly" lack of service or Maint.
Human. Well. Apart from being such.
is mainly. Inattention.
Lack of experience. Training, and instruction.
ON WHAT TO DO... NOT DO. when things are doing more than
going down the road in a straight line.
VERY few on AUST roads.
Would have had instruction on skid Pans. Winding through cones in wet.
or made to drive in same conditions, at a faster speed than they comfortable with.
To ensure something DOES go wrong. (in controlled environs.
UK Bus drivers training. back then.
Included a skid pan for double deckers and singles.
You know those old timber frame d.d's,
could travel on 2 wheels till they tipped at a 47% angle.
They were designed for it.
We also had a medical and retest on veh most used prev yr too.
Every yr.
The pan was favourite of all of us.
I managed once ( to tip) through the cones.
and we tried bloody hard.
Tell you what.
A few of the self confident drivers on here.
Should put themselves through an advanced driving\TOWING. lesson. test.
They'd be surprised. Most of them.
Just what is entailed to do things "correctly".
Very few in this country OVER the age of 50 yrs or so.
Have had ANY..
official. experienced. proper driving instruction.
Either Before. or after, getting their licences.
Just basically local cop and a carton. or go there when raining.
He don't come outside the door.
I know quite a few that boasted about that.
Questions. drive up road and back
Ther yo go. Take it easy..
Hold your hands up out there??? Count the numbers hey.
We simply didn't give a s***f. Laid back. 
