DIY: How to Fit Clearview Mirrors to Your Ranger Or Everest
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, visibility is king when you’re towing off-road. Whether it’s a camper, a caravan, or just a trailer full of dirt bikes…
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Posts by tag
towing
33 posts
Opinion: Tow Ratings Are Rubbish
In the world of 4X4s, numbers are everything. Manufacturers love to throw around figures like 3,500kg towing capacity, trying to convince you that their mid-size Utes can pull anything you throw behind them. But dig deeper, and you’ll find that those numbers are more about marketing hype than real-world capability. Some may go as far to say they’re an outright exaggeration. Me personally? I’d just say they’re bullshit. If you’re towing heavy loads, it’s time to start knocking a chunk off from the claimed capacity to get a more accurate idea of what your vehicle can actually handle. The reality is, if you’re hauling something more serious than a hybrid camper or lightweight van, you’re going to need a serious towing vehicle. Despite what the brochures say, most dual cab 4X4s aren’t up to the task when fully loaded. Let’s take a closer look at the Toyota HiLux GR Sport, mainly because it’s comical how bad it is. Toyota advertise it as rated to tow 3,500kg, with a Gross Combined Mass (GCM) of 5,850kg. Now, let’s say you’re towing the full 3,500 kg. Subtract that from the GCM, and you’re left with 2,350kg. That figure has to cover the vehicle’s weight (its kerb weight is 2,270kg), which leaves you with a measly 80 kg of payload. Oh yeah, we need…
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With Rising Road Tolls, Should There Be a Licence to Tow?
There’s no denying it: towing a caravan isn’t just hitching up and hitting the road. With more caravans hitting Australian roads than ever, we’re also seeing a rise in towing-related…
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The Dark Arts of Towing Off-Road
Venturing off-road with your caravan or camper trailer opens up a world of adventure, granting access to Australia’s diverse and beautiful landscapes. However, it’s a journey that requires skill, knowledge, and above all, preparation. In this guide, we’ll explore the art of off-road towing, offering tips and tricks to ensure you, your 4X4, and your trailer return from your adventures in one piece. Understanding Your Trailer’s Capabilities A Strong Foundation Before planning any off-road excursion, it’s crucial to understand the capabilities of your trailer. Its design and construction determine where it can and can’t go. For instance, if you own an ‘on-road’ caravan, it won’t be suitable for off-road adventures due to low clearance and lighter-duty suspension components and construction. You run the risk of literally shaking it apart at the seams on even mild corrugations. Instead, consider a semi-off-road or dedicated heavy-duty off-road van, built to handle low-range tracks, sand, and other challenging terrains with better ground clearance and stronger construction. The Importance of Clearance Clearance is one of the most critical factors when taking a trailer off-road. Trailers with good clearance can tackle most rough terrains without scraping their underbelly against rocks and ruts. A trailer’s clearance is often determined by its suspension package specification. While independent, coil-sprung, or air-bagged setups are desirable, even a well-rated leaf spring…
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The Future of Towing Mirrors – How Clearview is Keeping You Legal
There’s no shortage of 4X4 products looking for a buyer. You can buy knick-knacks and doo-dads for every square inch of your rig, camper, heck even your camp chair. They…
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Is your caravan or camper overweight?
In the vast and picturesque landscapes of Australia, caravanning has long been a way of life. The sheer distances we have, and the amazing places at either end of them…
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Ford Enhances Towing Experience with Pro Trailer Backup Assist
In a significant development for Australian 4X4 enthusiasts and families, Ford has announced the introduction of its Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology in the 2024 models of the popular Ranger…
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Weighing Up the Risks: The Heavy Truth About Towing in Australia
Picture this: You’re cruising down the Landsborough Highway, the quintessential outback road stretching across the rugged Queensland heartland. Your caravan’s hitched up, and you’re ready to soak in the vast…
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Understanding these camper weights will keep you out of trouble
Understanding camper weights and terminology can be seriously confusing, especially if you’re new to towing. Here's what it all means.
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How to: Tow on dirt and mud
Towing on different surfaces and in different conditions requires some skill. Check out our handy tips on how to tow on dirt and mud.
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Trailer sway and how to avoid it
Check out our quintessential guide to regaining control of your trailer and avoid the caravan equivalent of a bucking bull.
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10 Tips for successful towing
Want to master the ancient art of safe towing? Here's our 10 must-do towing tips to ensure your adventures go off without a hitch
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Why I’m Not Buying a 300 Series
The 300 Series Toyota LandCruiser would have to be the most anticipated new vehicle release in decades but is it a worthy replacement for the venerable 200 Series? Our resident not-so-grey nomad, Marty Ledwich, reckons it’s not for him just yet and here’s why. Toyota’s all-new 300 Series LandCruiser has been with us for a little over 3 months and much has been written about it since it first hit the streets. As the owner of a 200 Series LandCruiser, I’ve been following the commentary with great interest, particularly the feedback from those who have made the transition and those who have decided not to. I have to say, opinions sway both ways. If you’re considering making the switch, the decision is going to be a difficult one, to say the least. The arguments for upgrading to a 300 Series are quite compelling. The new Cruiser is a more modern vehicle sporting the latest technology. It is lighter, more powerful and supposedly more fuel-efficient. It arguably addresses many of the shortcomings of the vehicle it replaces which was looking pretty outdated five years ago. And while the prices for a new 300 Series are a little eye-watering (not to mention the wait times), the prices people are paying for second hand 200’s are positively atmospheric. You’re not likely to find…
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The most ridiculous towing accessory you can buy
Towing is becoming more and more popular in the 4×4 world and for good reason. Families are spending more time than ever on the road, and bringing along a camper…
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Clearview Accessories launch new Compact mirrors
Clearview are proving once again why they’re the leaders in a market they near on invented themselves. After huge success of their updated Next Gen mirrors, the team have answered…
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The ultimate off-road hitch guide – Everything you ever wanted to know
Yes, you do need a dedicated off-road hitch if you tow your trailer off the blacktop, but how do you choose the right one? Here’s absolutely everything you ever wanted…
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Clearview releases their Next Gen Mirrors
In an exclusive with Mr 4X4, we can now confirm that Clearview Mirrors has just released its Next Gen mirrors, which are a completely new design. Clearview has just released…
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Ford show off Electric F150 Power
We’ve all heard about the vast amount of torque EVs produce, and Ford has proven it Whenever something seems to change, or advancements occur, there will always be those who…
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Track celebrates 20 years of Tvan
2019 marks the 20thAnniversary of the Tvan camper trailer from Track, and the brand has released two limited edition Tvan models to celebrate the milestone. First released back in 1999…
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2020 RAM Truck 3500HD brings 16-tonne towing capacity down under…
Some of the biggest dual-cab utes on the Australian market boast a rather impressive towing capacity of a touch less than seven tonnes. They’ve pushed these numbers up from the…
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Are Queensland towing laws changing?
If you’ve been on social media this morning, chances are you’ve seen a few articles getting bunted around about how Queensland towing laws are going to change in the near…
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No more GCM Upgrades on new vehicles
The Australian 4WD Industry Council of Australia have just released a statement regarding changes to GCM re-rating for vehicles undergoing a Second-Stage-of-Manufacture. As of July 1, 2018, there will be…
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2018 Nissan Navara: Have they finally fixed it?
There’s no getting around it, the original D23 Nissan Navara that came out in 2015 missed the mark. Unloaded, it was a great car. It was efficient, grunty and comfortable.…
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RV DAILY: PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MODERN TOWING COMPLETE SERIES RELEASED
Last month you would remember RV Daily launched the Practical Guide to Modern Towing series. Now, just one month later, the whole series has gone live, so you can binge…
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LEAKED: Jeep Scrambler Ute towing and GVM details
With the Australian Jeep crowd collectively holding their breath for some solid details on the new Jeep Ute: The Scrambler, it appears that Jaolpnik: Truck Yeah have once again come…
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Nissan considering big Titan ute for Australia
Coming from motoring.com.au, Nissan’s chief of LCVs (Light Commercial Vehicles) is keen to bring the Titan into the Australian Market. Speaking to Aussie media at the recent Tokyo Motor Show,…
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2018 Amarok V6 towing capacity: now 3.5 tonnes
Volkswagen’s 2018 Amarok V6 has been given a shot in the arm, with a 3.5-tonne towing capacity announced across the board. This is an upgrade to the 3-tonne towing that…
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Track Tvan MK5 Revealed
Track Trailer has lifted the covers off the next generation of their well-regarded Tvan camper trailer. This is the Tvan Mk5, let’s have a closer look at what’s new on…
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Getabout celebrate 20 years of 4WD training and education
Respected Australia-wide training organisation, Getabout Training Services, is celebrating 20 years of being in business. Coming from humble beginnings, Getabout is a great example of a dedicated family business, growing…
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The 2017 RAM Truck has huge built-in iceboxes
Most people love the RAM truck, or at least the idea of it. It’s probably to do with that huge, all-iron 6.7 litre Cummins inline-six diesel under the gigantic bonnet,…
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Ford ‘Science of Truck’ Ranger uses non-standard tyres in challenge
‘The Science of Truck’: a smart phrase that Ford’s marketing side has coined, where they are looking to marry up mechanical toughness and sharp electronic aids as the ultimate ute.…
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4X4 News: Gibb River Road Sealed Near Derby
A $750,000 contract has been handed out by the Western Australian government, which will go towards a making 10-kilometre section of the iconic Gibb River Road sealed. A press release…
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Driving Tip – Keeping Dust Out Of The Trailer
When you’re towing a hard floor camper trailer behind you through bulldust country (of which there is a lot in Australia) it’s not uncommon to unfold it at the end…
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