deverall11 wrote:

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SC, it is a shameful reality that Mr Plod and his cohorts never ever do anything about
those two important things when confronted with them on the road.
Ignorance about the subject or just could not be bothered.

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 deverall11 it was reported last week in a post elsewhere of a very serious accident in WA where 3 vans travelling in  convoy and none had any extended mirrors on, hence the emergency vehicles couldn't get past as quick as they wanted to. Those people had no idea who was following them.  There was a big debate about it in regards to life and death situations where time can be of the essence in these sorts of cases

I feel that every one towing a caravan should have have rearview camera on back of the van connected to its own screen.

With one you can see thaat vehicle in your blind spot.

Possum3 wrote:

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deverall11 wrote:

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SC, it is a shameful reality that Mr Plod and his cohorts never ever do anything about
those two important things when confronted with them on the road.
Ignorance about the subject or just could not be bothered.

---

 It's a bit harsh to blame Mr Plod for idiots failing to comply - I am unaware of any in traffic division, that will ignore obvious breaches.

The RMS has camera systems recording all vehicles and details to the point of looking up women's skirts - perhaps they could follow up on obvious breaches.

---

Possum, you must live in a world of fantasy. A day does not go by when I witness offences ignored by none other the Mr Plod.

Going through a red light in Qld. Endemic frequented by bogans.

As I mentioned most of them probably are not familiar with caravan towing compliances. If I was to be sarcastic I would put

it to you that there is more to be gotten from issuing a speeding fine then dealing with a non compliant caravan tower. Why?

Probably because the $ rate is higher for a speeding fine then a non compliant caravan. This is before we get into the argument

that would ensue. Many more $ rate least in NSW. Also do not forget that Police instructions are directly proportional to the 

number of deaths. Not too many or not enough involving caravan but a lot more involving motorcycles and/or speeding drivers.

Not sure if this is still the case but at one point speeding was the default reason if police could not determine the cause of

an accident resulting in death.

Southern Cruizer wrote:

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...

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 deverall11 it was reported last week in a post elsewhere of a very serious accident in WA where 3 vans travelling in  convoy and none had any extended mirrors on, hence the emergency vehicles couldn't get past as quick as they wanted to. Those people had no idea who was following them.  There was a big debate about it in regards to life and death situations where time can be of the essence in these sorts of cases

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 SC, yep seen it when we were travelling and even called out on the CB to try making them aware that a truck

was behind and possibly needed to get passed. Seems that for some as soon as they hitch a caravan, brain gets left behind.

Gundog wrote:

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I feel that every one towing a caravan should have have rearview camera on back of the van connected to its own screen.

With one you can see thaat vehicle in your blind spot.

---

If I don't check to if see theres a vehicle behind me (or have the missus watching) before I reverse then I deserve everything I get.  If said vehicle wants to sit in my blindspot when I'm travelling forward then they deserve everything they get.

I'm getting sick of having to spend money and/or change the way I do things just because of the idiots of the world.   My van is 15 years old and my tug is 20 years old.  Neither has the wiring or hardware suitable for running a video feed from the rear of the van to display in the front of the 4WD and it would neither be a cheap nor simple exercise to retrofit it.

As a society we're going to learn one day that the more we try to make the world idiot proof, the more idiots see it as a challenge.  

Simon

smwhiskey wrote:

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 My van is 15 years old and my tug is 20 years old.  Neither has the wiring or hardware suitable for running a video feed from the rear of the van to display in the front of the 4WD and it would neither be a cheap nor simple exercise to retrofit it.

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 Cheap is relative to what you think is good value. But it would be a simple exercise to fit one. I did mine myself and it is just a matter of fitting the camera(s), running the cables and then connecting to a 12v source in the 4WD. No other connections needed apart from connecting/disconnecting when attaching the van.

My video unit sits on the dashboard and I only put it there when towing.

As for value, I feel naked without it because it gives an excellent view of what is behind. A good driver is always aware of other vehicles around. You would be used to looking in your rear vision mirror frequently when not towing. It becomes second nature to do so. With a camera on the back of the van it restores that view, only better, as if the van were not there.

To me rear vision while driving is greater benefit than the close up view when reversing.

deverall11 wrote:

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Possum3 wrote:

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deverall11 wrote:

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SC, it is a shameful reality that Mr Plod and his cohorts never ever do anything about
those two important things when confronted with them on the road.
Ignorance about the subject or just could not be bothered.

---

 It's a bit harsh to blame Mr Plod for idiots failing to comply - I am unaware of any in traffic division, that will ignore obvious breaches.

The RMS has camera systems recording all vehicles and details to the point of looking up women's skirts - perhaps they could follow up on obvious breaches.

---

Possum, you must live in a world of fantasy. A day does not go by when I witness offences ignored by none other the Mr Plod.

Going through a red light in Qld. Endemic frequented by bogans.

As I mentioned most of them probably are not familiar with caravan towing compliances. If I was to be sarcastic I would put

it to you that there is more to be gotten from issuing a speeding fine then dealing with a non compliant caravan tower. Why?

Probably because the $ rate is higher for a speeding fine then a non compliant caravan. This is before we get into the argument

that would ensue. Many more $ rate least in NSW. Also do not forget that Police instructions are directly proportional to the 

number of deaths. Not too many or not enough involving caravan but a lot more involving motorcycles and/or speeding drivers.

Not sure if this is still the case but at one point speeding was the default reason if police could not determine the cause of

an accident resulting in death.

---

 To deverall11 - you would be correct in stating "most of them probably are not familiar with caravan towing compliances" but totally incorrect in the insinuation of instructions to Police to intentionally ignore some offences in favour of the offence with higher fines/penalties.

Modern Policing in Australia has specialists in many areas - Traffic Infringement is one of those "specialist areas" - Every "Divy Van" you see on the road doesn't have Highway Officers in them nor in fact does every vehicle in Police livery.

By the same token - every Police Officer - does their best to serve and protect.

May I suggest that; one day you attend your local Police station or Court House to meet some of the general "Mr/Ms Plod" and enquire of them their; Qualifications, Background, Attendance to Domestics, Trauma Situations, Family calls advising of the death of members of the Family, the Mortuary attendances, Personal life-threatening situations, violence and disrespect from the public, etc.

It is very easy and brave to sit behind a keyboard and offer criticisms of what you obviously have sweet F A knowledge. I personally find it insulting to say the least.

I have Clearview mirrors and a full time camera on back of the Aluminium Tent so no drama there.

I'm thinking of a set like in the pic but a McHitch. A good set up then.

 

edit...Ooops, forgot the most important thing. Thinking if changing to LC. 

Possum3 wrote:

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.......

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 To deverall11 - you would be correct in stating "most of them probably are not familiar with caravan towing compliances" but totally incorrect in the insinuation of instructions to Police to intentionally ignore some offences in favour of the offence with higher fines/penalties.

Modern Policing in Australia has specialists in many areas - Traffic Infringement is one of those "specialist areas" - Every "Divy Van" you see on the road doesn't have Highway Officers in them nor in fact does every vehicle in Police livery.

By the same token - every Police Officer - does their best to serve and protect.

May I suggest that; one day you attend your local Police station or Court House to meet some of the general "Mr/Ms Plod" and enquire of them their; Qualifications, Background, Attendance to Domestics, Trauma Situations, Family calls advising of the death of members of the Family, the Mortuary attendances, Personal life-threatening situations, violence and disrespect from the public, etc.

It is very easy and brave to sit behind a keyboard and offer criticisms of what you obviously have sweet F A knowledge. I personally find it insulting to say the least.

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 Maybe or maybe not I have sweet F A knowledge as you put it, BUT, my eyes do not deceive me. Noisy and illegally lowered cars are ignored for example.

Same with noisy motorcycles. However a speeding motorcycle always gets their attention.

I did attend a Police Station recently as a matter of fact and yes they were very nice and polite, BUT, still no action on electric scooters which can travel in excess

of 60kph. I also made calls and submitted data to PoliceLink  regarding a drug dealer in our street. Also provided a two page list of cars, make & model, number

plated time and dates of regular visitors. The long and short of it is this person is still there, still dealing and life goes on. He has custody of two kids, lives in a rental and has no job.

I am sure you would have a reason/excuse, since you seem to know more about Police and are intent on defending the indefensible, as to why this is not policed.

Or to put it in simple terms: Why is this person still dealing???

In most cases I have seen, anything over and above issuing traffic fines seems beyond their capabilities. And yes doing some of the tasks you mention

are not easy. I am not brave sitting behind a keyboard and offer criticism as I would happily say it to their faces. Problem is they would not like it. Sometimes

the truth hurts. 

What also seem to muddy the waters is these nut jobs who join because an ego issue (call it small dick syndrome) who feel powerful behind a badge and the

restraint put upon them by pollies. Got fined for parking across MY driveway by one of those Small Dick guys. If this is not ego, what is?

I have the minimum of respect of Mr Plod, he/she has not given me enough proof as to why they deserve my respect.

Speed cameras hidden on the side of the road, behind garbage bins, at the end of an off-ramp when you come off doing 110kph into a 60kph zone.

You mention Domestic Violence. They more often then not arrive on the scene after the event even though they had prior knowledge etc....

End Of Rant Possum

yobarr wrote:

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....

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 That would depend entirely on whether he wanted to tow heavy loads  safely, or just be a poser. Cheers

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 Poser or not, fact of the matter is they are a very comfortable vehicle for an SUV.

Dougwe wrote:

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I've decided to stay with my trusted Colorado. It can tow up to 3500kg and has a 300 kg tow ball weight. With a Mchitch and WDH fitted towing capabilities will be endless.

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 Have you seen any of the youtube videos from folk who have had their loaded vehicle and caravan weighed by one of the ' new' outfits that have set up weighing owners vehicles, sometimes with disappointing results,

Watched one the day....forgotten which one.

200 series LC with all the ' normal ' accesories

Tandem axle 'van

The caravan got a gold star for it's weight but the LC failed badly, partly due to the weight of the accesories and updates to tyres, suspension, bull bar, winch etc etc blah blah.

The owner of said vehicle was in a quandry about what to do next,

Just something to think about.