As many of you are aware, the ridiculously high tolls on the M2 and M7 tollways were increased in October last year. At the same time, they changed the rules so that any vehicle over 2.8 m high or 12.5 m long was classified the same as a B Double ie commercial. Therefore the tolls for the average modern car/caravan combination would cost around $44 to go from the South to the North or vice versa. Rightly so, this created quite a stir but the operators refused to budge (Greedy is not an appropriate word for this).
Just to reassure the normal people out there, I recently went to and from Brisbane and this involved either mixing it with the local traffic on suburban roads or staying on the tollways. Much as I hate feeding the greedy buggers, I chose to pay their tolls. My rig is a Pajero towing a 16.5 foot Jayco Poptop. From memory, the rig measures about 11.8 m long and is less than 2.1 m high, so I took a chance. I just got the toll charges and they were about $11 each way, so whilst that is still extortion, it is far better than the $44 or so if I had a 'normal' rig. So if you are one of the 'lucky' ones who has a 'small' rig, you can still travel the M2/M7 route "cheaply" (compared to what most people will be charged).
Radar said
02:49 PM Feb 4, 2020
Hi Erad.
I would like you to know that we are going to pay the extra for you. We are shade under 13 metres and 3.1 metres high.
We are not seriously high with our caravan at 3.1 but not a low either, to be fair it is very average caravan.
Now I am not running out to buy a lower height caravan, could take the air condition off the roof and that would put us under, unfortunately I think we will just keep paying the high toll price. We would only use the mentioned tollways 3 times a year on average over the last 7 years of retirement.
Dougwe said
06:32 PM Feb 4, 2020
I'm the sort of the same Radar. Even though it goes against the grain big time I only use the system twice a year so will continue and the new tunnel will be even easier.
Cupie said
12:00 AM Feb 5, 2020
I have been through Sydney N to S on several occasions.
Usually we stay at Narrabeen Lakes and just get onto the A3 right through to where it becomes the A1 at around Monterey.
Have never had troubles with traffic & find NSW CBD drivers far more courteous than their Qld equivalents, allowing me to merge or change lanes as necessary.
Of course we try to travel off peak, if there is really such a thing, around 10am and on weekends where possible.
Having said that we have also been on a much further western route when not stopping in Sydney, down & up the Putty Rd and thru Windsor.
After the first trip, I have never had problems going thru or round Sydney nor have I used toll roads.
However I try to avoid going thru Melbourne. The last time I tried, coming from Warrandyte I found the outer ring road confusing. That was a long time ago. The one & only time that I got lost with no GPS! & following a shortcut recommended by the CP manager. I expect that it is much better these days
As many of you are aware, the ridiculously high tolls on the M2 and M7 tollways were increased in October last year. At the same time, they changed the rules so that any vehicle over 2.8 m high or 12.5 m long was classified the same as a B Double ie commercial. Therefore the tolls for the average modern car/caravan combination would cost around $44 to go from the South to the North or vice versa. Rightly so, this created quite a stir but the operators refused to budge (Greedy is not an appropriate word for this).
Just to reassure the normal people out there, I recently went to and from Brisbane and this involved either mixing it with the local traffic on suburban roads or staying on the tollways. Much as I hate feeding the greedy buggers, I chose to pay their tolls. My rig is a Pajero towing a 16.5 foot Jayco Poptop. From memory, the rig measures about 11.8 m long and is less than 2.1 m high, so I took a chance. I just got the toll charges and they were about $11 each way, so whilst that is still extortion, it is far better than the $44 or so if I had a 'normal' rig. So if you are one of the 'lucky' ones who has a 'small' rig, you can still travel the M2/M7 route "cheaply" (compared to what most people will be charged).
Hi Erad.
I would like you to know that we are going to pay the extra for you. We are shade under 13 metres and 3.1 metres high.
We are not seriously high with our caravan at 3.1 but not a low either, to be fair it is very average caravan.
Now I am not running out to buy a lower height caravan, could take the air condition off the roof and that would put us under, unfortunately I think we will just keep paying the high toll price. We would only use the mentioned tollways 3 times a year on average over the last 7 years of retirement.
I have been through Sydney N to S on several occasions.
Usually we stay at Narrabeen Lakes and just get onto the A3 right through to where it becomes the A1 at around Monterey.
Have never had troubles with traffic & find NSW CBD drivers far more courteous than their Qld equivalents, allowing me to merge or change lanes as necessary.
Of course we try to travel off peak, if there is really such a thing, around 10am and on weekends where possible.
Having said that we have also been on a much further western route when not stopping in Sydney, down & up the Putty Rd and thru Windsor.
After the first trip, I have never had problems going thru or round Sydney nor have I used toll roads.
However I try to avoid going thru Melbourne. The last time I tried, coming from Warrandyte I found the outer ring road confusing. That was a long time ago. The one & only time that I got lost with no GPS! & following a shortcut recommended by the CP manager. I expect that it is much better these days