Recently I enjoyed the company of @wally of "Weight Check" at the Dicky Beach Caravan Park. In the general conversation, he mentioned that tug and van weights are the talk of a lot of forums and Facebook. The reason - he mentioned that a driver in NSW was up on several charges including two deaths because his van /tug combo was overloaded, causing an accident, and he will probably be facing jail time as well. Nothing more was brought up at the time and I had nearly forgotten about it when @Drover provided a link for another Member regarding power etc to break away battery for van. Lo and Behold, on the same link to RV Daily, (a popular touring Magazine) is the story of what happened and what the driver is facing as a result of several charges. The magazine Editors cannot provide full details as yet as the matter is to go before the courts, but vanners in NSW and VIC are already worried as to what will come out of this court decision. Not only did the accident kill his Wife and Son, which he now has to live with, and not to mention the financial losses (no insurance?) and legal fees he will face, but some are saying he will also be looking at time in the clink!! And he was a truck driver too!!
There is a very important paragraph about what a 3.5t towing capacity really means, something @Drover has been "barking on about" for some time (woof woof!). What GVM is, what ATM is and what GCM really means.
All members, particularly those with large heavy vans, should make sure they read the full story "Shock News _ tragedy leads to prosecution for over-weight caravan". ) The punch line is "Is the complacency about what your car and caravan actually weigh over?" As the Driver is SOLELY RESPONSIBLE if the vehicle/van are involved in an accident, one needs to think about the consequences especially in NSW, and probably Victoria and other states too as Police and Transport Department Authorities take a harder line on vans and tugs. It is a very sobering thought when you understand what could happen and the chances you are taking. Tread your own path on this!!!!
https://magazine.rvdaily.com.au/en_US/14233/201856/downloadable_pdf_tiles.html the link is where you can download the issue .........
There is a very important paragraph about what a 3.5t towing capacity really means, something @Drover has been "barking on about" for some time (woof woof!). What GVM is, what ATM is and what GCM really means.
All members, particularly those with large heavy vans, should make sure they read the full story "Shock News _ tragedy leads to prosecution for over-weight caravan". ) The punch line is "Is the complacency about what your car and caravan actually weigh over?" As the Driver is SOLELY RESPONSIBLE if the vehicle/van are involved in an accident, one needs to think about the consequences especially in NSW, and probably Victoria and other states too as Police and Transport Department Authorities take a harder line on vans and tugs. It is a very sobering thought when you understand what could happen and the chances you are taking. Tread your own path on this!!!!
https://magazine.rvdaily.com.au/en_US/14233/201856/downloadable_pdf_tiles.html the link is where you can download the issue .........