Truck Friendly posed this question to Queensland Transport and Main Roads Dept.
Below (in part) is the reply from Andrew Mahon – General manager Land Transport Safety and Regulation.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) notes that towing any type of trailer or caravan requires extra care, including ensuring that the tow vehicle is suitable to tow the trailer or caravan.
Driver licence classes are evaluated and set to nationally agreed standards. A vehicle under 4.5 tonnes GVM is considered a light vehicle. In Queensland, a driver may legally drive a light vehicle, with or without a trailer (including a caravan), using their class C driver licence.
The maximum weight of the trailer/caravan, and combined towing weight, is not restricted by the class C licence.
However, it is limited by the tow vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, vehicle regulations and the Australian Design Rules. Practically, a light vehicle will be limited by its size in what it can tow. Further information on towing vehicles and trailers is available on the Queensland Government website at www.qld.gov.au by clicking (1) For Queenslanders, (2) Transport and Motoring, (3) Vehicle Safety and (4) Safe towing.
All drivers must abide by the laws governing the towing of trailers, drive to the road conditions and ensure that the vehicle, trailer and its load are safe. This includes not exceeding the maximum weight that is appropriate for the vehicle to tow. Drivers who intend to tow are required to exercise due care at all times to ensure the safety of other road users.
To this end, it is recommended that a driver gain experience in towing and manoeuvring before attempting to tow a caravan.
Truck Friendly will add that not only is there the legal requirement but also the common sense and safety for other road user’s requirement that you do not tow beyond the ability of the vehicle and its condition, nor the ability and experience of the driver.
Because you can, does not mean that you should.
Copyright – Ken Wilson
