If there is a local garden improvement place they may have trailer scales handy. The purpose of these scales is to pre-measure the trailer empty and then once loaded with soil or compost. Maybe see if you can take the empty trailer across to confirm the weight.
A story whilst here.......
I had an SL 6 cylinder manual hatch that I often towed with without a problem but I pushed it too far once. I had an enclosed altered (drag car) trailer on with stuff loaded in it to move cities. I didn't think it was overloaded but a cross wind on an open section of highway proved the load carried is not always the problem you may encounter. It got the dreaded sway going whilst at 75-80 km/h and whilst I thought I was getting on top of it as the speed came down, the end result was the trailer taking a left turn for the salt bushes and taking the rear of the Torana with it. Whilst I managed to keep the hatch from a jack knife scenario (just), the car was still dragged sideways into the dirt and scrub on the side of the road.
Moral of the story, it's not just the weight being towed that may bring you undone, a large trailer can be affected like caravans when subject to side winds.
If I had have had a heavier tow vehicle that would not have been so easily pushed around by the trailer, I think the result would have been different. Basically the little Torana is too light to do any serious towing where the tail may want to wag the dog.
Funny bit was I was giving the mother-in law a lift to Adelaide and I would not allow her to smoke in the hatch (understandable I'm sure) . The look on the her face as we came to a stop in the midst of dirt, salt bush and crap flying all around us was surprising, cool as a cucumber she was. As the dust settled she calmly asked "Can I have a cigarette NOW?".
Total damage was a LHS rear tyre that had been pealed off the rim, slightly twisted rear bumper bar and my undies. The car was also bogged is dirt mounds at the side of the road.
Here's the amazing thing, country people are the best! Before the mother-in law had even lit the smoke, all these people traveling on that section of road had stopped and were now set about helping get the car back on the road. This involved shovels, ropes, a Toyota 4WD to drag the whole car and trailer as one back up onto the side of the road, the wheel was replaced with my spare and everything put back.........................and just like that, within minutes I was ready to continue on my way! The mother-in law was just stubbing out that first smoke. One minute a flurry of activity and the next everyone else just hustled off as quick as they arrived.
If you are one of those who assisted or assist in such as event........THANK YOU.
Edited by The Baron, 15 December 2015 - 10:37 AM.
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