On the show this week we have arrived in White Cliffs. We have driven past the sign many times but not taken the detour and had a visit, so when we organised our itinerary we made sure we made a visit.
White Cliffs is 93 Km’s of the highway just out of Wilcannia, and the land is amazingly flat. White Cliffs is know for Opals, so people go there with the hope of finding some.
Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, White Cliffs is one of the only places in the world where white opal is found. It is also famous for its rare ‘pineapple’ opals with distinctive spiky shapes.
White Cliffs is the site of Australia’s first solar power station, built in 1981. Visit the station, just outside the town, and see the mirror-plated collector discs that look more like spectacular science fiction props. Some underground houses are also open for tours and you can marvel at the airy white rooms and cool temperatures.
We stop in to visit Dick Wagner at Aussie Southern Cross Opals and have a chat to him about what brought him to White Cliffs, how long he has been there and also about opals and had he managed to find any. Of course he has and he goes out early each morning digging for opals.
Dick is a real character and enjoys a good yarn and gladly takes the time to chat with us.
Next on the show we once again catch up with Jeff DeAth from Check Weight and this weeks subject is horse floats.
Horse floats are much the same as caravans, as in the ATM, AGM and all the acronyms are involved. Also you are carrying horses and also hay and saddles, which add weight.
Some of the bigger floats also have a bed in them. Horse floats also have a compliance plate, but if your unsure of your weights, book into Check Weight and set your mind at ease.
Tune in and hear the discussion.
How much of a horse float should a towball weigh?
It is only meant to be around ten percent of the weight of the trailer, so if you have a 3,500kgs float, the tow ball downforce should be no more than 350kgs
What towing capacity do I need for a horse float?
The rule of thumb is that a float with two horses on board is around the 2000kg mark, so that’s the absolute bare minimum towing limit you’d be looking at.
Homepage
