All You Need to Know About Towing Dangers

Fantastic Australian humour!

The rewards of getting out there and exploring Australia far outweigh the negatives, so please don't let anything you read here and on other travel sites put you off going. The priceless photo above is a taster of what you will come across - taken near the top of Australia on the Cape near Chilli Beach, Queensland. Mostly towing is a lot of fun and it can be undertaken by anyone in reasonable health. You do need to be aware of a few extra dangers when towing for the first time and also a few hazards when venturing into the outback or the far north for the first time, as this is nothing like driving in the southern states.

Stock and Wildlife

We ran over a small pig once at dusk and took out the complete water tank. Another time an eagle was feeding on the road and took far longer than we anticipated to take off and cracked a windscreen from one side to the other. Don't forget that kangaroos have a habit of instantly reversing and yes we have been caught with that one too! Many sealed and unsealed roads in the outback of Australia are unfenced, so at all times please be beware of wandering stock and wildlife. These can include birds, cattle, wild pigs, kangaroos and even the odd camel in the Northern Territory. Dawn, dusk and night driving are the times best avoided, and in our case these were the times we ran into trouble. Watch for dead animals beside the road as this is a sure sign that animals are about.

Speed

Speed limits do vary in Australia. In the Northern Territory for instance, there is no speed limit on the open roads. This can come as quite a shock the first time you are overtaken by a road train or even pass a tourist bus head on. The best advice is to hang onto the steering wheel like grim death and try to resist the overwhelming urge to correct - the seat of your pants says turn the wheel! If you sit tight and do nothing the rig eventually corrects itself. You can minimise the effects by anticipating and moving as far to the left as you can before the other vehicle passes or approaches you. The best advice on speed in derestricted areas is to continue to drive at a reasonable speed that allows you to stop safely - i.e. the same as you would drive on a road marked 100kph. It is interesting to note that travelling at 110 kph and above consumes petrol at an alarming rate! A very good reason not to speed!

Fatigue

Just like normal driving, towing really long distances can cause fatigue. Without doubt this is one of the most common causes of serious accidents! The slogans we hear at long weekends etc. are so true - STOP and REST at least every two hours. You have a definite advantage in towing a van in that if tiredness suddenly engulfs one, you don't even have to look for a rest area or park with tables and facilities, as it's all right there with you. A quick "power nap" around lunchtime works wonders. You DO need to plan for long distance travelling. Try to avoid having to move gear inside the van to have an easy lunch or "nap" break, otherwise you will find yourself making excuses not to stop. Queensland Main Roads have a free listing of roadside rest areas. Most camping stores sell the little booklets on roadside rest areas for the most common routes all over Australia - $15 to $17. Above all - think about stopping and smelling the flowers rather than powering through all those little towns and villages. Writing stories for this website has FORCED us to do this, and we had no idea what we were missing. It also REDUCES your average weekly costs, as you tend to use less fuel, you find lots of free camping spots, you become far less stressed and above all live longer! The photo above is a delightful overnight rest area just south of Lakes Entrance.

Road Trains

In Eastern Australia you come across road trains just before Charters Towers in Queensland and anywhere west of Dubbo in NSW. This is clearly sign posted. They have a significant presence in the Australian Outback, can be up to four trailers - this equates to about 50 metres long.

As stated above try to give them plenty of room and if overtaking, allow at least 1 km of clear STRAIGHT road ahead. We avoid overtaking as it is just not worth the risk plus you run the chance of doing your windscreen. Be particularly careful overtaking in windy conditions as you vehicle emerges from beside the road train and cops the full side force of the wind.

Floods

Be aware that caravans float! We had a very nasty experience crossing a fairly fast flowing floodway near Banana. The van began to float and the front wheel drive tow vehicle couldn't get traction. Nowadays we stay put! Do not attempt to cross flooded bridges or causeways before you walk it first unless you are absolutely sure of the depth and any road damage. Most flash floods recede within 24 hours, but in the north's wet season road closures can be extended - we have waited a week in the Cairns area!

Dust Problems

Dust on Outback roads can completely obscure your vision. Think before overtaking and do not take risks. Stop and wait for it to settle. Overseas visitors should be aware of a phenomenon unique to Australia called "bull dust". You can't actually see bull dust on the road, as it is the consistency of talcum powder and blends with the normal surface, but you can certainly feel it! It is extremely fine dust that flows as if liquid. In doing this it fills deep holes and ruts. As you approach the road surface looks completely flat and smooth. Your suspension then bottoms out as it hits the concealed pot holes. We once saw a driver hit so hard that he put a huge dent in the roof of his car!