Re "In New Zealand diesel fuel is considerably cheaper than petrol. The reason
why is something of a mystery."
On this side of the Tasman diesel fuel is fully taxed at source. In NZ this is
not the case and operators of diesel fuelled vehicles (including cars, 4WDs
etc) pay a separate road user charge. This is distance based and purchased in
multiples of 1000km. For cars this is about $30 per 1000km I think.
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Neumann
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2007 11:25 AM
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Family Tow Car
G'day Richard,
Whatever you get - and there has been plenty of advice so far - look for a
vehicle with sufficient weight (and this probably means size) to able to remain
the dominant influence in the towing combination. I know of several road
dramas with gliding trailers where the towing car had the horsepower - but not
the weight - to allow the driver to be in totally charge of what was happening
all of the time, and things went badly wrong when the trailer took over.
There were probably other factors in the instances I recall, but the common
question in those mentioned was a towing vehicle which on reflection, was
probably on the smaller (lighter) side of what perhaps should have been used.
The downward force on the hitch is a function of how the trailer is loaded.
Most vehicles have a section in the manual about towing limitations and
suggested weights for both the trailer itself, and the load at the coupling.
All of these things are important in managing the stability and therefore the
safety of the combination. An incorrectly loaded trailer appears to have been
the major factor in one mishap with an otherwise reasonable combination of
vehicle and glider trailer some years ago.
Diesel engines are worth considering, especially in recent years. They
provide plenty of lugging power for towing, and a turbocharger assists
considerably in providing better performance and fuel economy. There is
another worthwhile benefit in having a diesel vehicle. Unlike their modern
petrol engine counterparts, diesel vehicles usually do not have a catalytic
converter in the exhaust system. This means that as a general rule they are
much less likely to start a fire when driven into standing stubble or long
grass, a potentially useful feature when retrieving in the fire danger season.
The obvious downside is that the fuel is more expensive and does not seem to
be subject to discounting wars to the same degree as ULP. In New Zealand
diesel fuel is considerably cheaper than petrol. The reason why is something
of a mystery.
As in most situations, the final choice of vehicle may well be something of a
compromise.
Regards,
Terry
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