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

[wilson79]

Also be mindful that not everyone on the highway is on holidays, some people are working

(not sure if this has already been said)

[Rumpig]

As with most posts on this forum the logical answer is to just we aware and considerate of others.

X2 on above...i normally sit on the limit and will say at times maybe a touch over even when towing our camper trailer if i'm trying to get somewhere, but coming up big steep ranges i know i don't have the power to keep that speed continuing. 2 weeks ago i climbed a steepish range on the Bruxner Hwy whilst towing the camper and twice slowed down some (even though i was already about 20klms under the limit) and moved off the road onto the shoulder to let other vehicles get past me as we did the long climb to the top. I know how frustrated i get at people who hold others up on climbs or twisty roads and speed up again the minute they get on a flat or straight section of road without letting people they are holding up get past them, so i make a point of moving over the minute i can to let anyone i might be holding up get past me, it's just common curtisy IMHO.

[Diesel Power]

As we are getting further into the "dry" season, the amount of caravaners on the road has exploded. So for those who have to travel the Bruce  Highway and share the road with the Caravaners its nice to have people who have camper trailers doing close to the speed limit.
Im not saying that you have to be sitting on 100kph, as I myself too sit around 90+kph whilst towing on Holidays but when you get kilometre long convoys of vehicles stuck behind a caravan its really frustrating.
Then again when you are able to leapfrog up through the traffic, I usually hear someone in the back say that they require a toilet break so I have to stop and watch all the traffic go by.
Driving to Cairns next weekend
Rant over
Regards
Angus.

[steppenwolf]

Doesn't matter what speed you are doing if you're in roo country. There's a certain breed of Grey Nomad in a $100,000 4WD towing a $100,000 "off road (ha)" full caravan who will tuck right in behind you, so that you hit the roos and their investment is "safe". At one stage last yr in SW QLD had picked up two of them, one tailgating me (Cruiser truck) and the second tailgating the first, got down to 80kph but no desire to pass and open up the road for everyone, so I pulled over. Gents, not safe driving at all.

[dazzler]

Here's an eye opener.  We just travelled 2100k's with me in the rodeo fully packed at 90k's and the family in the Prado with the camper at the speed limit. We agreed to stop every 2-2.5 hrs.  Usually I arrived 5-10 min later.

Once the focus on time was removed it was very relaxing.  Only issue I had was trying to find safe places to move over and let people pass on the pacific highway north of coffs. It's almost impossible to find them.

What I would love to see is some of the old sections of highway connected as slow sections for this reason.

But mainly relax.  It really doesn't matter.


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[Alan Loy]

The biggest issue seems to be the lack of passing lanes.  The  busier the road the worse the problem

More attention to the quality of roads would make things much safer and a lot easier

[dazzler]

The biggest issue seems to be the lack of passing lanes.  The  busier the road the worse the problem

More attention to the quality of roads would make things much safer and a lot easier

Interestingly the main highway from Hobart to Launceston is single lane but has numerous overtaking lanes (on the hills mainly) that seem to work really well.  Never been held up for too long even when half of Hobart travels up for the footy.

[Brumbypt]

Just do the best you can at driving at the limit, the truck drivers love it...................NOT.. pull over or slow down and let them past as long as its safe.
chat to them on the radio first and even apologize, then chat to them about letting them past.


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[The punter]

My two pet hates:

1. Caravans that end up in a nose to tail convoy so nobody can pass, how hard is it? Most of them don't even use mirrors

2. People who do 90 most of the time and 130 in the overtaking lane, wtf is up with that?

Unless it's really windy I will sit between 100 and 110 depending on limits in the FJ, people must see it and think big slow 4wd overtaking so they speed up?

[Alan Loy]

My two pet hates:

1. Caravans that end up in a nose to tail convoy so nobody can pass, how hard is it? Most of them don't even use mirrors

2. People who do 90 most of the time and 130 in the overtaking lane, wtf is up with that?

Unless it's really windy I will sit between 100 and 110 depending on limits in the FJ, people must see it and think big slow 4wd overtaking so they speed up?

They do the same no matter what you're driving.  I think that they are such bad drivers that they feel scared when the road is narrow, so go slower, and confident when there is 2 lanes, so go faster.  either that or they are just d*@kheads

[Brumbypt]

Thats pretty clever anaysis, hadnt thought of that before..


Around here there are heaps of guard rails, making the roads look narrower, the guard rails are there to protect the trees from cars hitting them, well something like that..

Years ago when they were erecting more of them I was thinking that one day when the roads are virtually have them almost everywhere then new drivers will be scared when there isnt any rails...


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[Terry W4]

Not an issue for me. I drive according to what I judge to be what is safe for me and my vehicle and my family.

[SteveandViv]

My two pet hates:

1. Caravans that end up in a nose to tail convoy so nobody can pass, how hard is it? Most of them don't even use mirrors

2. People who do 90 most of the time and 130 in the overtaking lane, wtf is up with that?

Unless it's really windy I will sit between 100 and 110 depending on limits in the FJ, people must see it and think big slow 4wd overtaking so they speed up?

Your so right up here at least. Were just lucky we have 5k straits to over-take.

[dazzler]

Not an issue for me. I drive according to what I judge to be what is safe for me and my vehicle and my family.

but you might be lunatic.......


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[Terry W4]

But if I am my family will still be safe. I drive a Prado  with a 1.5 tonne camper and going down the Clyde Mountain to the coast when the signs say 100kph - I drive at about 90 to ensure I can pull up ok.

BTW what was your stupid point.

 

but you might be lunatic.......


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[dazzler]

Just that you sounded like a pompous wombat was all.


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[Cruiser 105Tvan]

In the MPH days didn't you have to flash your headlights at the car in front of you to show you intend to overtake them? That's in Vic. 

Nope that's current.
It used to be sound the horn. 
Who's hearing that nowadays with current vehicles.
No-one, that's why you flash the lights.
If you speed up while being overtaken, it's FAILING TO GIVE WAY, same as at an intersection.

[Pirate_Pete]

Hi,


We have a few old rules on the books here, 90 kmh with a trailer, not many know about it.
It is observed more in breach than compliance, and harks back to the '50s when a pillion speed limit was introduced for motorcycles I suspect.



Link


cheers

That got me thinking. I looked at the booklet that my daughter has to get her license & it doesn't say anything about a towing speed limit.

http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/49096/road_rules_booklet.pdf

[Dingo0163]

Nope that's current.
It used to be sound the horn. 
Who's hearing that nowadays with current vehicles.
No-one, that's why you flash the lights.
If you speed up while being overtaken, it's FAILING TO GIVE WAY, same as at an intersection.

Try going up behind someone and flashing your lights today. They will either slow down , give you the rude finger , hit the brakes or a combination of the three.

[GUEY]

They do the same no matter what you're driving.  I think that they are such bad drivers that they feel scared when the road is narrow, so go slower, and confident when there is 2 lanes, so go faster.  either that or they are just d*@kheads

Interesting! I followed a car for 20 odd kms today that would sit on 60 - 70 in a 90 zone when oncoming traffic was only seperated by the centre lines. As soon as the road seperated they where up to speed, then back to 60 - 70 when the roads merged back together again.

[briann532]

Interesting! I followed a car for 20 odd kms today that would sit on 60 - 70 in a 90 zone when oncoming traffic was only seperated by the centre lines. As soon as the road seperated they where up to speed, then back to 60 - 70 when the roads merged back together again.

Sorry if anyone thinks this is out of line, but I think they are a damn danger on the road.

Lets be honest, if you can't safely operate a vehicle at the posted speed limit, (usual assumptions, like its not a tractor, b double, learner, really old, or towing...etc etc) then you are obviously not confident enough to safely operate on the roads where other people and their families lives are at risk because of your inability.

Now I'm not saying they should be shot or pulled off the road, but surely they should be expected to have enough brain cells to work out they need further training and education.

Alternatively if they are just a casual driver who's in no hurry or just sojourning around, then they need to exercise some consideration for other road users who are not in the same situation.
Delivery drivers have deliveries to make, people need to get home to pick up children or cook dinner or any multitude of other reasons why they don't want to drive 30kph under the speed limit.

Again- simple consideration.

Why are gun laws so stringent, but any moron can operate a far more lethal vehicle with little or no training and litlle or no consideration?

Obvious disclaimer, that no myswagger would ever drive like this, so the reference is to the general populous of ignorant drivers........