'Should we require a special licence to tow a trailer over a certain weight?,” he asks. 'Licenses are currently a state responsibility and they cannot even agree on towing speeds, GVM upgrades and other issues,' he said. 'To expect all states to agree on the when, where, how and what of bringing in a towing licence is like Labor, Liberal, Katter, Pauleen and Clive Palmer all agreeing on the best cakes at the Christmas party”. A regular caravanner himself, Mr Wilson also posed the following questions: 1: Should we require a special licence to tow a trailer over a certain weight? Please think about the logistics of bringing this in before commenting. 2: Is it better to bring in discounts on registrations for people who have completed a towing / driving course to a certain qualification? Courses would need to be completed at regular intervals to maintain discounts? 3: Should businesses offer discounts on vehicle insurance, auto club memberships and other services to drivers who have completed a towing/driving course to a certain standard? Courses would need to be completed at regular intervals to maintain discounts. 4: Should dealers include vouchers for free towing courses with each trailer or caravan sale? 5: Should GST, sales tax or any other government charges be discounted or waived on new or used caravan/trailer purchases to buyers who have completed a towing course to a certain standard within (say) three months of purchase?
On a recent Facebook post, Mr Wilson said there is far more focus recently on vehicle weights by the authorities. It is estimated by many in the industry that approximately 70 percent of all caravan rigs on the highways would be overweight in some respect. Many caravanners don't understand the laws, how to understand weights, or simply put their head in the sand and don't care about safety. Mobile scales companies report weighing caravans that are 800 to 900 kg over the legal weight. There is more on caravan weights on the Truck Friendly web site. www.truckfriendly.com.au