RV MAIL
LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
OPPOSITION TO LICENSING
I am opposed to a licence to tow . If it is applied , then it should include all trailers , including horse floats , boats and box trailers .
I have been regularly towing caravans for over 40 years and through my caravan club I know that there are so many well educated , experienced and component drivers out there .
The problem mainly comes from the lack of education for newbies or those lacking in towing experience . This lack of understanding is better addressed with education by either attending a course or completing a free online training sessions at your own pace , followed by reasonable test questions .
There are too many problems associated with imposing licence testing at existing , unsuitable facilities and in remote areas . It seems an unfair imposition to place on those already well experienced in towing .
There are too many caravans with heavy ball weights having no levelride bars fitted to transfer weight back onto the front braking and steering for highway running . Then there ’ s those who are just not level in their set-up , with incorrect ball height or unsuitable vehicles .
I am comforted by having an electronic sway control system ( ESC ) fitted to my tandem-axle caravan . My experience has never put me in a situation where the ESC was activated , but owning such a heavy caravan its good to know that if a sway did occur , the caravan brakes will automatically be activated and immediately pull the van back into line with the car .
If we are serious about reducing rollovers , then instead of a caravan licence , why not make ECS compulsory on all new vans , regardless of size or weight ?
Graeme Francey
magazine , we ’ d like to hear it ! Email your feedback to info @ gorv . com . au
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