“Back in the days” when we would hitch up a 30 foot boat to the back of the car, pack the car to the rafters, and strap in the kids with extra stuff on top…there was never a thought of what was too heavy to tow or what was the weight limits on the car. Back then, I had never heard of weight limits on anything, and was told if it was overweight it would just stretch the chassis a little, but the car would be fine if you did not do it too often. I never worried what was put on the roof racks as long as it did not fly off.
Now 30 years later, when I start towing a caravan and watching the weight in my vehicle and the weight distribution in my caravan it still seems nobody cares. I look at other cars going on holidays towing caravans or campers towing with boats on top and large loads on roof racks, not a window with a view…and I wonder just how they are passing the current laws of towing. With over 300 caravan accidents in 2018 and many cars travelling to holiday destinations packed up beyond their limits why is there not a regular check on weights.
In my recent road trips I have asked many different groups of caravan travellers how they are going with the weight of their caravan. A lot of them seem to think they solve the problem by adding weight distribution stabilizer bars, which they assume once fitted, allows them to carry most things. Others have never bothered to weigh their vehicle nor the caravan. One staying next to me a few days ago actually said he knew his caravan was about 400kg overweight. In fact, the man I bought my caravan from had never weighed it and had said he carted 12 cartons of wine back from Western Australia. The van was very overweight when we got it weighed (without the wine).
I know my caravan and car are correct weight because we went and weighed it and adjusted things to comply with the laws, and I do travel a little slower on the highway, but I am horrified to see the speed that some of the caravans are doing with many riding the extremes at 100kph or above. Just because your caravan is new, and you have a new towing vehicle, does not mean the rig is great for any speed, and your towing vehicle should not be overloaded.
If we are so concerned about the road statistics, why are caravans not being pulled in at the weighbridges with the trucks. Why are these weights not being checked on towing vehicles or caravans. It would be quite simple to have some caravan blitzes at the weighbridges or have some of the transport inspectors using tow ball scales….making sure we are all going to be safe on the road. Gone are the days of “she’ll be right mate”….