Always account for the ball weight
when evaluating payload in the vehicle.
‘WET’ WEIGHT
I enjoy reading this mag. With the article on
GVM and caravans weighing 3500kg (Transfer
of Weight, GoRV #22), you forgot to say the
fuel is also included in this ‘capacity’ weight.
It was a good article as we have just sold our
Jeep as we were too close to GVM. We bought
a Land Cruiser 76 and upgraded the GVM.
Gary Cooper
Via email
WHEN CATASTROPHE STRIKES
Thanks for your magazine. I have a look every
month, particularly at the goods and services
that advertise in it. It’s always great information
on places to go.
I am writing with regard to doing a lap on a
budget. One thing that people don’t think
about, and which can really bite them, is the
possibility of a major catastrophe to one of
the people, rather than the vehicle or caravan.
Those without a financial backstop should
consider taking out travel insurance to help
them get home should the worst happen to
them from somewhere across the country. It’s
a long, long way from home.
It happened to me and my late husband some
four years ago when he collapsed in Geraldton,
WA (we were from NSW). Having a vehicle and
caravan in Geraldton and the driver flown to
Perth by the Flying Doctor with myself closely
behind on Qantas, I discovered how useless
cover for vehicles and caravans can be. That
includes from the practical aspects as well as
the financial ones. Who will help you retrieve
the vehicle and caravan?
There are many possibilities to the disasters
which you can encounter, which is not to say
don’t go, but maybe give it some thought.
What did we do? Well we happened to have
backed the caravan into a spot in Geraldton
behind some people we knew from the place
we lived and they took charge of the vehicle
and caravan and made arrangements for them
both to return home. The camaraderie of the
road indeed! Very special people.
But we did see other grey nomads at the hospital
in Perth who were in desperate situations
financially as well as medically.
Margaret Thomson
Via email
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