What speed should we tow at?

Eaglemax · Guru

What speed should we tow at?

Cupie · Guru

In the link above I was surprised at a statement in the Comments section that the WA max towing speed was 80, so I checked a WA Gov web site. It quoted 100km/hr & I posted to that effect, just to set the record straight.

The poster, Possum, is usually very accurate & helpful in his contributions, but may relying on old memories in this case (I have a slight recollection that in the past WA did have a 80km/hr Towing restriction).

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/towing

Just to check my post I found this other WA Gov Tow Guide that supports the 100km/hr restriction as does the less authorative Carsguide publication.

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/DVS_P_Safe_Towing_Guide.pdf

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/what-is-the-speed-limit-while-towing-in-australia-80476

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 2nd of September 2023 03:06:22 PM

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 2nd of September 2023 03:14:15 PM

yobarr · Guru

Cupie wrote:
In the link above I was surprised at a statement in the Comments section that the WA max towing speed was 80, so I checked a WA Gov web site. It quoted 100km/hr & I posted to that effect, just to set the record straight.
The poster, Possum, is usually very accurate & helpful in his contributions, but may relying on old memories in this case (I have a slight recollection that in the past WA did have a 80km/hr Towing restriction).

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/towing
Just to check my post I found this other WA Gov Tow Guide that supports the 100km/hr restriction as does the less authorative Carsguide publication.
https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/DVS_P_Safe_Towing_Guide.pdf
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/what-is-the-speed-limit-while-towing-in-australia-80476

Good information there Cupie, and I can confirm that speed limit for all towing vehicles is 100kmh. There are BIG signs at roadside outlining speed limits for all different classes of vehicles, with Roadtrains also allowed to travel at 100kmh, although, without incriminating myself, I know that some exceed this figure by quite a significant amount. Cheers

P.S Won't tell of top speed for fear of lecture from 'safety experts'.

Bulldozer · Senior Member

Hwy, Moterway, 90.

Possum3 · Guru

I apologize if I am no longer up to date with speed restrictions on States other than mine - Been out of that game for a very long time.

SoloMC · Senior Member

Max speed while towing is 100 km. Wa is the only state that posts the info on large signs but all other states restrict you to 100

Greg 1 · Guru

WA is for all trailers from a garden trailer up. NSW and some other States, the 100kph limit only comes in for rigs of 4500kgs GCM or above.

WindyHill · Member

Greg 1 wrote:
WA is for all trailers from a garden trailer up. NSW and some other States, the 100kph limit only comes in for rigs of 4500kgs GCM or above.

GCM of 4,500kgs would capture any caravan on the road. I think QLD is the only one that allows more than 100km/hour.

But the easy answer is whatever speed you are comfortable with. What anyone else thinks is none of your business!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

95kmh max. If others don't like it, that's their problem BUT I do pull over or work in with others and trucks as soon as I can. I always communicate with truck drivers and work in with them but still 95kmh max.

bristte · Veteran Member

SoloMC wrote:
Max speed while towing is 100 km. Wa is the only state that posts the info on large signs but all other states restrict you to 100

I have read that only WA and NSW have a 100km/h towing limit, and in the case of NSW, only if your GCM is over 4.5t. If anyone has evidence of this limit being applied to caravans in other states and territories when the posted limit is higher, please provide the links.

shakey55 · Senior Member

What Speed Should We Tow At?

IMO, drive to the conditions and at a speed that YOU are comfortable with. Dont worry too much about others, but be courteous and move over when safe to do so.

Simple

Cupie · Guru

Here's yet another link that lists the author's view on the towing speed limits for all states & territories.

Caravan Towing Speed Limits Australia | Towing a Caravan (lewisrv.com.au)

I didn't go to each Govt's web site to confirm the information provided but it does agree with what I posted earlier.

If you disagree, then I'll leave it to you to do the work to confirm your opinion or otherwise just remain in ignorance, comfortable in your own view.

Judging by some of the previous comments, few seem to bother following these links to get the facts so at that I'll just bug out of this thread.

(disclaimer ... I'm feeling a bit grumpy this morning I suppose .. not a good start to Fathers day. I think that I'll just go out into the garden for a bit to relax & prepare for the family gathering)

Radar · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
95kmh max. If others don't like it, that's their problem BUT I do pull over or work in with others and trucks as soon as I can. I always communicate with truck drivers and work in with them but still 95kmh max.

Hi Dougwe.

Once again us retired transport people generally agree mostly.

As for truck drivers, there is not many left out there, mostly just steering wheel attendants.

Have good day, keep the sunny side up and 10 4 good buddy.

dogbox · Guru

WindyHill wrote:

Greg 1 wrote:
WA is for all trailers from a garden trailer up. NSW and some other States, the 100kph limit only comes in for rigs of 4500kgs GCM or above.
GCM of 4,500kgs would capture any caravan on the road. I think QLD is the only one that allows more than 100km/hour.
But the easy answer is whatever speed you are comfortable with. What anyone else thinks is none of your business!

i think GCM should read GVM

the last thing you want to be is a mobile road block that only puts you at risk from the people who get impatient, the worst possible thing you can do is travel at what ever you consider your comfort zone, then speed up when you get to overtaking lanes, that makes sane people become risk takers and when they take risks it puts others at risk.

yobarr · Guru

dogbox wrote:
WindyHill wrote:

Greg 1 wrote:

WA is for all trailers from a garden trailer up. NSW and some other States, the 100kph limit only comes in for rigs of 4500kgs GCM or above.

GCM of 4,500kgs would capture any caravan on the road. I think QLD is the only one that allows more than 100km/hour.
But the easy answer is whatever speed you are comfortable with. What anyone else thinks is none of your business!
i think GCM should read GVM

the last thing you want to be is a mobile road block that only puts you at risk from the people who get impatient, the worst possible thing you can do is travel at what ever you consider your comfort zone, then speed up when you get to overtaking lanes, that makes sane people become risk takers and when they take risks it puts others at risk.

Vehicles with GVM above 4500kg are limited to 100kmh. Gotta check towing rules! Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 3rd of September 2023 03:27:28 PM

bristte · Veteran Member

Cupie wrote:
Here's yet another link that lists the author's view on the towing speed limits for all states & territories.
Caravan Towing Speed Limits Australia | Towing a Caravan (lewisrv.com.au)

Thank you, this confirms what I said. Puitting aside learner drivers and P-Platers, specifc limits for caravans only in WA & NSW, and in NSW only for combinations over 4.5t. Yes, that means GCM, not GVM. The article says CVM, but I take that to mean GCM in normal nomenclature.

So yes, you are potentially a roadblock to other traffic, but usually only to cars, as trucks are similarly limited. Only rarely have I been passed by a large truck when sitting on 100hm/k in a 110 zone. I'm used to the NSW limit and it hasn't caused me any issues. It's not often that I'd want to tow faster than 100km/h. WA is one place where I might, given the distances, but can't. I gather the WA Police are quite strict on this law. I have more problems in the NT, as I sure as heck am not going to tow at 130km/h, and so there is the potential for me to be a roadblock in the Territory,

bristte · Veteran Member

From the horses mouth: https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/vehicle-safety-and-compliance/towing-a-caravan

"In the case of towing a single trailer, the driver driving a vehicle, with a gross vehile mass (GVM) over 4.5 tonnes or a vehicle and trailer combination with a gross combination mass (GCM) over 4.5 tonnes, must not exceed 100 km/h, regardless of the signed posted speed limit. Always drive to the limits set by the manufacturer, as well as road, traffic and weather conditions."

yobarr · Guru

This may help?

-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 3rd of September 2023 03:25:30 PM

-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 3rd of September 2023 03:26:21 PM

Eaglemax · Guru

Good info Yobarr. Useful. Windy Hill: my current rig and 2 before it have all been under 4500kg GCM Current- kia 1800 van 1600= 3400kg Last- i30 1300 van 1000= 2300 Prior- i30 1300 van 748= 2048kg Plenty small rigs on the road.

bristte · Veteran Member

yobarr wrote:
This may help?

It will help people who couldn't be bothered clicking on the link to that document provided by Cupie, but it's not obvious that it's an authoritative source. What would be really helpful is a link to state and territory government websites, although for jurisdictions other than NSW & WA, if there aren't caravan or towing specific laws then there may not be clear statements that caravans just obey the posted limit, so we rely on compilations like this lewisrv one.

yobarr · Guru

bristte wrote:
yobarr wrote:
This may help?
It will help people who couldn't be bothered clicking on the link to that document provided by Cupie, but it's not obvious that it's an authoritative source. What would be really helpful is a link to state and territory government websites, although for jurisdictions other than NSW & WA, if there aren't caravan or towing specific laws then there may not be clear statements that caravans just obey the posted limit, so we rely on compilations like this lewisrv one.

This was simply my effort to help, but it seems some never are happy?

Instead of bleating that " what would be really helpful is a link to state and territory government websites" why do you not take tge time to provide those links?

Since I am do not know how to "post links" unfortunately I can't help. Cheers

Long Weekend · Guru

I personally like to tow at 90-km/h. Everything seems more stable, the tug's engine seems to be just idling and I am more relaxed. As well there is quite a difference in fuel economy between 90- and 100-km/h!

The only problem with that is the Navigator keeps saying "Everyone is passing us!" and "It is going to take us forever to get there!"

And yes, I do keep an eye on following traffic and allow them to pass safely. I also call up trucks on channel 40 to let them know I know they are there.

Of course, there are times when I do have to keep up with the traffic and increase my speed to 100-km/h. But I drop back down as soon as I can.

I can also attest the 100-km/h limit for trailers of all kinds in WA. Just as you cross the border there is a very large billboard stating that! I also saw a couple more during our tour around the southern part. I haven't seen similar signs on our travels through South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales or Queensland. Maybe they are there but I haven't noticed them.

Murray

Edit: added a missing 'zero' to the '9.'

-- Edited by Long Weekend on Wednesday 6th of September 2023 01:03:47 PM

yobarr · Guru

Long Weekend wrote:
I personally like to tow at 90-km/h. Everything seems more stable, the tug's engine seems to be just idling and I am more relaxed. As well there is quite a difference in fuel economy between 90- and 100-km/h!

The only problem with that is the Navigator keeps saying "Everyone is passing us!" and "It is going to take us forever to get there!"

And yes, I do keep an eye on following traffic and allow them to pass safely. I also call up trucks on channel 40 to let them know I know they are there.

Of course, there are times when I do have to keep up with the traffic and increase my speed to 100-km/h. But I drop back down as soon as I can.

I can also attest the 100-km/h limit for trailers of all kinds in WA. Just as you cross the border there is a very large billboard stating that! I also saw a couple more during our tour around the southern part. I haven't seen similar signs on our travels through South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales or Queensland. Maybe they are there but I haven't noticed them.

Murray
Edit: added a missing 'zero' to the '9.'

Hi Murray, I'd be interested to know what your tow vehicle is because it generally is a fallacy that running at low revs means lower fuel usage, particularly when towing.

Every engine has a "sweet spot" and my V8 Cruiser gets considerably better fuel consumption figures if I use a lower gear at 2300rpm, plus there's instant power if I need it to get out of a potentially dangerous situation. This is not possible if the engine is "just idling" and you're off the torque band.

Talking 5.8km/litre (17 litres/100km) at 6800kg GCM. Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 6th of September 2023 05:28:46 PM

Long Weekend · Guru

It is a 2016 Ford Ranger. I lock it in fifth gear to tow. The van is a 2012 Jayco Sterling, not overly large and without all of the 'modern must have' accessories like a full size fridge.

Murray

yobarr · Guru

Long Weekend wrote:
It is a 2016 Ford Ranger. I lock it in fifth gear to tow. The van is a 2012 Jayco Sterling, not overly large and without all of the 'modern must have' accessories like a full size fridge.

Murray

Hi Murray, sounds OK but you may wish to use 'search' to have a read of this thread from 2018.

Lots of good info. Good luck.Cheers