Is it OK to tow a 28ft caravan from Moss Vale to Nowra, down the range?
Radar said
07:22 PM Feb 21, 2022
rovin wrote:
Is it OK to tow a 28ft caravan from Moss Vale to Nowra, down the range?
Very do able driving to the conditions, there is some steeper sections.
Do what heavy transport do, "select low gear down the steeper parts" to save your breaks, no prizes for being the quickest.
erad said
07:40 PM Feb 21, 2022
You have two steep, narrow, winding sections to traverse on the direct run to Nowra via Kangaroo Valley. The descent into KV could be scary, if you are not experienced, but semi trailers use the road so if you stay on your own side of the road, travel slowly AND USE YOUR GEARS, not your brakes, it is quite do-able. Leaving Kangaroo Valley, you have a short, steep climb and then a steep descent again. Same as above - take it easy and you will have no problems.
If you are worried about the descents, the Illawarra Highway is an alternative, but that too has some steep descents in it and is a fair bit longer. If the gradients are really worrying you, you can go back to Goulburn, then to Taralga and then to Nowra via the Turpentine Road. This road is sealed all the way and only has one very short steep winding section just East from Nerriga. The rest is a gentle downhill run, coming out beside the Naval Base HMAS Albatross. If you decide to go this way, check at Taralga about the road conditions, because you may have to go to Braidwood, but I am 99% certain that the road from Taralga to Nerriga is now fully sealed. But this route is about 180 km vs about 80 km via Kangaroo Valley.
Aus-Kiwi said
07:54 PM Feb 21, 2022
Use your gears , take your time .
Buzz Lightbulb said
09:00 AM Feb 22, 2022
I have towed my 17' caravan through both Kangaroo Valley and Merrigan routes so it's probably doable with a 28'.
As others have said Kangaroo Valley is narrow whereas via Nerriga is a much more comfortable drive. Usually less traffic untill you reach Nowra Bridge. Just go to Tarrago from Goulburn and then down through Oallen Falls then to Nerriga.
Lindsayc said
10:13 AM Feb 22, 2022
I think you mean Tarago not Taralga that is long way from Turpentine Road
KevinJ said
11:23 AM Feb 22, 2022
I did the exact same route on the 7th of this month towing a 19.5 foot van. It was pouring rain but the road is good, though winding a bit. A couple of 15 kph hairpins which were easily navigated. Just use low gears and you will be ok. Even in the rain with low visibility, I felt comfortable. Coming up the mountain a week later, I followed a semi which also handled the road with ease. The secret is LOW GEARS, LIMITED USE OF BRAKES. As Nike says, "Just Do It".
Long Weekend said
11:45 PM Feb 22, 2022
Of course, if you don't mind travelling a bit further, then instead of going through Moss Vale, get on the Hume Highway and head north. Take the Picton/Wollongong exit and head towards Wollongong. That road joins the Princes Highway and goes down Mount Ousley. While Mount Ousley is fairly steep it is almost straight and is three lanes wide going down - the left lane is reserved for coal trucks and heavy vehicles. It also has a 80km speed limit that cars seem to disregard. But, get this - from the bottom of Mount Ousley it is a freeway to just north of Nowra.
Murray
Edit - added a PS:
I have gone through Kangaroo Valley in both directions several years ago. I found going down from Moss Vale was easier than going up and down on the other side! But as others keep pointing out, select low gears - even with automatic transmissions!
-- Edited by Long Weekend on Tuesday 22nd of February 2022 11:54:57 PM
Very do able driving to the conditions, there is some steeper sections.
Do what heavy transport do, "select low gear down the steeper parts" to save your breaks, no prizes for being the quickest.
If you are worried about the descents, the Illawarra Highway is an alternative, but that too has some steep descents in it and is a fair bit longer. If the gradients are really worrying you, you can go back to Goulburn, then to Taralga and then to Nowra via the Turpentine Road. This road is sealed all the way and only has one very short steep winding section just East from Nerriga. The rest is a gentle downhill run, coming out beside the Naval Base HMAS Albatross. If you decide to go this way, check at Taralga about the road conditions, because you may have to go to Braidwood, but I am 99% certain that the road from Taralga to Nerriga is now fully sealed. But this route is about 180 km vs about 80 km via Kangaroo Valley.
I have towed my 17' caravan through both Kangaroo Valley and Merrigan routes so it's probably doable with a 28'.
As others have said Kangaroo Valley is narrow whereas via Nerriga is a much more comfortable drive. Usually less traffic untill you reach Nowra Bridge. Just go to Tarrago from Goulburn and then down through Oallen Falls then to Nerriga.
I think you mean Tarago not Taralga that is long way from Turpentine Road
I did the exact same route on the 7th of this month towing a 19.5 foot van. It was pouring rain but the road is good, though winding a bit. A couple of 15 kph hairpins which were easily navigated. Just use low gears and you will be ok. Even in the rain with low visibility, I felt comfortable. Coming up the mountain a week later, I followed a semi which also handled the road with ease. The secret is LOW GEARS, LIMITED USE OF BRAKES. As Nike says, "Just Do It".
Of course, if you don't mind travelling a bit further, then instead of going through Moss Vale, get on the Hume Highway and head north.
Take the Picton/Wollongong exit and head towards Wollongong.
That road joins the Princes Highway and goes down Mount Ousley.
While Mount Ousley is fairly steep it is almost straight and is three lanes wide going down - the left lane is reserved for coal trucks and heavy vehicles. It also has a 80km speed limit that cars seem to disregard.
But, get this - from the bottom of Mount Ousley it is a freeway to just north of Nowra.
Murray
Edit - added a PS:
I have gone through Kangaroo Valley in both directions several years ago. I found going down from Moss Vale was easier than going up and down on the other side! But as others keep pointing out, select low gears - even with automatic transmissions!
-- Edited by Long Weekend on Tuesday 22nd of February 2022 11:54:57 PM