Towing Archives

Simple ways to show how trailer weight distribution matters

Don't let anyone tell you different - trailer weights and dynamics are complex. But, unfortunately, if you tow heavy trailers you really need understand some of the basics about weight distribution, because it has a dramatic effect on trailer stability. Some…

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Why the ‘leave a location voicemail’ is a bad idea

This bit of advice is rapidly circulating the Internet, and it really shouldn't be: Why this advice is bad In brief; if you have phone signal, send a text message for help to your friends, or if dire, call 112. Don't…

4X4 Blog How-To Towing by Robert Pepper 22 October 2021

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Got a flat and don’t carry a spare tyre? Here’s your solution!

Modern tyres are more puncture-resistant than ever, so many cars simply don't come with a spare tyre as carmakers claw back the space and weight, fighting to meet efficiency targets. This is all well and good until you actually have a puncture,…

4X4 Blog Towing by Robert Pepper 20 October 2021

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Land Rover Defender L663 GVMs for Australia

There has been some confusion over Land Rover's unusual, but not unheard of approach to GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) for Australia. That's because there's different GVMs for different configurations. Today I checked with Land Rover, and they confirmed the GVMs for the…

Blog Towing by Robert Pepper 17 October 2021

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TruckFriendly – how caravanners can share the road with trucks

Caravans are heavy, big, and slow compared to a car by itself. This brings them into conflict with another set of road users who are also drive heavy, big and slow vehicles...truck drivers. But there's significant differences between caravanners and truckies, who…

Blog Towing by Robert Pepper 14 October 2021

84Views 4Comments

3500kg tow-rated wagons – which can tow the most?

So you want to tow a heavy trailer? Generally, you're better off with a wagon than medium ute because the wagons typically have higher GCMs closer to max tow plus GVM, all-wheel-drive, and handle better...but which wagon? In this video I analyse…

4X4 Blog Towing by Robert Pepper 5 October 2021

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LC300 vs LC200 payload, towing analysis

What's the LC300 like to tow with compared to the LC200? Well, I've towed 3000kg with both and so far, my view is the 300 is the better towcar. But it was only today I managed to get all the technical…

4X4 Blog Towing by Robert Pepper 5 October 2021

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Australian Toyota LandCruiser 2022 LC300 model range differences, new accessory details

Wondering what the specification differences are between the models? Here's a complete run-down of the differences, direct from Toyota. Prices are exclusive of on-road costs. UPDATE: Towing and payload analysis, LC300 vs L200 - now I have all the specs! A common…

Blog Towing by Robert Pepper 19 September 2021

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One reason why ‘add more towball mass’ isn’t always the right answer

Got trailer sway? Add more towball mass. Oh, still swaying? Well, add more! Here's the problem with that advice. You can end up with a trailer that's got an 'ideal' towball mass, whatever that is, and yet it is fundamentally unstable. And…

4X4 Blog Fast Cars Stuff Explained Towing by Robert Pepper 15 September 2021

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Have you learned to drive in the last ten years? You may not know this.

So there you are, driving your car, cruising along a suburban street, minding your own business. Ahead is another car, a car with a yellow L plate on the back. You approach a traffic light and it turns red, so the…