At the last meeting, a discussion ensued on towing a trailer/caravan on a normal car licence in Victoria.
Greg Moore has supplied the following extract from the VicRoads website:
You can drive a vehicle that does not exceed 4.5 tones Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and can seat up to 12 adults including the driver.
This does not include motor cycles and motor trikes. You may tow a single trailer (other than a semi-trailer) up to 9 tonne GVM or to the manufacturer’s specifications (whichever is less).
Here are our Newsletters about the 2016 Tri-state event they are published in PDF. [minagnews-table show=”tri-state-2016″ months_order=”ASC|DESC” omit_empty=true id=”id” class=”class” attr=”attr”]
The Guys from GMH with 4WD TV visit the Jackaroo Club of Victoria and show off the new Colorados.
Phytophthora cinnamomi, or Cinnamon Fungus as it was once commonly called, is a foreign plant pathogen. The pathogen is a microscopic water mould that attacks the root systems of susceptible plant species.
Phytophthora cinnamomi (pronounced: fy-TOFF-thor-ah) does not spread quickly by itself across the landscape. Instead people are the prime movers of the pathogen. Numerous activities can lead to the inadvertent movement of infected water, soil and plant material. Overtime, the pathogen has been widely dispersed across Victoria and as yet there are no means to eradicate it in the field.
A Grass tree (Xanthorea australis) that has been killed by Phytophthora.
Heathlands and heath forest communities have been significantly impacted by the pathogen. A key indicator of the pathogen is the iconic Austral Grasstree which is highly susceptible and sadly whose ultimate existence in Victoria is threatened by the pathogen.
In some ecosystems the impact has been dramatic, leading to the loss of many plant species and native animals that depend upon them for food and shelter.
Research into the resistance of some species may provide a key to long-term management. Presently however the aim is to curb further spread. Collaborative efforts are needed to focus on protecting significant public land assets from inadvertent introduction of the pathogen. This requires improving hygiene procedures and appropriate planning of area usage.
A Strategy has been published to help coordinate and direct public land managers in managing this threat in key areas. Victoria’s Public Land Phytophthora cinnamomi Management Strategy was developed in consultation with major stakeholders. It states the objectives, management principles, legislation, priorities and proposed management approaches.
People have been killed or seriously injured when using vehicle recovery straps that have broken or when components on vehicles have ripped off and struck the person with great force
Consumers using motor vehicle recovery straps should:
always read and obey the product’s instructions and warnings.
ensure the strap’s stated breaking strength is appropriate for the gross vehicle mass (GVM), including load weight, of the individual vehicle being recovered (the minimum breaking strength of the strap should be between two and three times the vehicle’s GVM).
ensure the strap is suited to the GVM rating of the lighter vehicle in the recovery
never attach the strap to a standard tow-bar, tow-ball or standard vehicle tie-down point (they are not designed for this purpose and may result in the strap or a vehicle component detaching and striking a person).
only attach a strap to a suitable rated vehicle recovery point or device
ensure the strap is undamaged and in a usable condition
drape something like a heavy bag or blanket over the strap during use to reduce any unintentional rebound of the strap.
ensure that any people outside the vehicles stand far enough from the vehicles – at least 1.5 times the non-stretched length of the strap. They must never stand in the line of recovery.
do not use the strap for lifting or conventional towing
There are currently three recalls for recovery straps sold in Queensland that do not meet the Queensland mandatory labelling standard for recovery straps. For more information visit:
Battery Separators
Model 1314 (S/N 09004545 – 10008041)
Model 1315 (S/N 09002323 – 10003168)
Sold or installed by ARB as part of Dual Battery Systems 1st July 2009 – 30th June 2011.
On June 9, 2011 Holden has issued an alert to owners of Jackaroos of a potential condition to those vehicles fitted with 3.0L diesel engines.
According to the notice, Holden has identified a potential condition which may cause an unintended increase in engine speed whilst the engine is idling.
The following engines are those identified as being affected:
1998 JACUBS73GW7100010 – JACUBS73GW7103492
1999 JACUBS73GX7100566 – JACUBS73GX7104876
2000 JACUBS73GY7100012 – JACUBS73GY7107235
2001 JACUBS73G17101509 – JACUBS73G17102996
2002 JACUBS73G27100274 – JACUBS73G27107074
“Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by letter outlining the process for arranging a free of charge inspection and rework of the wiring harness.
If you require any further information please contact your nearest Holden Dealer or call the Holden recall and rework assistance line on 1800 632 826. This service operates 8am to 7pm EST Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm EST Saturdays except National Public Holidays.”
