Onsite Weighbridge

10/06/2024

Getting ready for our own trip, vehicle under GVM and van under ATM , rear axle over by 42kg, Tow ball mass over by 13kg. 😳. Move weight from rear of vehicle to rear of van , reducing TBM to 330kg , reducing rear axle approx 69kg. Happy days . Safe travels everyone 😜

09/06/2024

Land Cruiser 200 & 300 series owners please read. Without a vehicle upgrade (98%chance) you will be overweight and illegally driving when fully loaded. We highlight this at our education sessions at the caravan and camping show in July.

LANDCRUISER 200 SERIES - LIKE ALL VEHICLES HAS ITS LIMITS TOO.

The Landcriuser 200 Series would be one of the most popular caravan tow vehicles, and yes, I had one, BUT they are often very overloaded, and insurance voided. Something you may not realize until you try and make a claim.

HERE IS WHY .....

Firstly, let’s look at a tow vehicle’s manual and compliance plate, for the following weights.

Let’s start with the basics.

GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) This is the maximum operating weight of the vehicle. This will include all fluids, fuel, driver, passengers, bull bar, tow hitch, accessories, drawers, all cargo, including that boat on the roof etc. AND the tow ball download weight from your caravan.

In short, the total allowed weight on the vehicles wheels when it is on the road.

TARE WEIGHT This is the weight of your basic vehicle as it came out of the factory with 10 litres of fuel.

KERB WEIGHT This is the same as Tare Weight but with a full tank of fuel and easier to use. A vital difference with the large cruiser fuel capacity of over 100kgs when full.

If you subtract the Kerb weight from the GVM that will give you the maximum permissible load that this vehicle can legally carry.

For example: - Lets do a quick internet search of a popular tow vehicle we can all relate to, a Landcruiser GXL turbo diesel. All weights are approximate and will vary depending on personal choices and the Landcruiser chosen at random.

https://www.toyota.com.au/landcruiser-200/range

This table shows that the Landcruiser 200 GXL turbo diesel has a GVM of 3,350 kg less the Kerb weight of 2,740 kg will mean that vehicle can legally carry a load of 610 kg. (3,350 – 2,740 = 610)

Now, here is where it gets personal. What do you and your partner and any passengers weigh? Let’s say we are all fit and healthy and the combined weight of mum and dad is 170kg.

No discussion on who makes up the larger part of the randomly chosen weight please.

So, 610 kg load available less 170 kg leaves 440 kg for cargo.

Or does it?

Now with 440 kg of load weight, let’s allow for the metal bull bar at 80 kg, a camping fridge with a slab of beer in it at approx. 50 kg. Our 440 kg of cargo is now 440 – 80 – 50 = 310 kg of cargo allowed.

We still haven’t packed any camping gear, a set of those convenient drawers in the back, cloths, food, recovery gear, spare fuel or water. We haven’t allowed for that winch in the 80 kg bull bar nor, roof racks, long range fuel tanks and any other accessories or items.

Put 2 other people as passengers at 170 kg? in the car and you will be almost right on the maximum limit of weight you can carry in the vehicle.
Have I missed anything? Maybe we would like to put a tinny on the roof and outboard motor in the back at another 150 kg. Suddenly we are overweight.

The sad thing is we have left the caravan behind.

The Landcruiser is a popular tow vehicle and rightly so. They are great when used properly and boast a 3,500 kg towing capacity and 350 kg tow ball load and loads of power from the V8 Diesel.

Actual van weights vary on make and model you are towing.

So, the actual tow ball weight of the caravan under tow needs to be included in the 610kg load limit.

Load limit of 610kgs less a caravan tow ball weight of 310kgs only leaves 300kgs for driver, passenger, all the before mentioned accessories and additional load like the fridge and camping gear.

I would struggle to believe that the Landcruisers with a heavy tow ball weight van (say 310kgs) in tow would be legal with 170kgs allowance for driver and passenger as it only leaves 130kgs of the 610kgs for all the after-market accessories, fridge and camping gear etc.,. yet alone a boat, boat rack, fuel and outboard.

Lovells and other upgrades are available for these vehicles. It comes down to the owners doing these sums and choosing from the start or upgrading their vehicles to ones that can do what they are purchased to do.

In the above example with a large caravan in tow we have a vehicle which is now very overweight and very illegal and dangerous to drive.

Apart from a potential fine, please also have a read of your insurance policy on the van and tow vehicle.

All insurances will not cover an overloaded vehicle nor an unroadworthy vehicle - a double whammy.

All vehicles are different, and all owners are different. Some carry 3 kitchen sinks and others carry a plastic wash up bucket instead. The Landcruiser 300 Series has a different set of weights to consider. All vehicles have their limits.

A mechanical engineer I spoke to told me of a 2500 RAM which was 1,600 kgs OVER the GVM and 800 kgs OVER on the rear axle as a result. The driver’s caravan was also overloaded. This is just stupid and a danger to road users.

Weigh the stuff in your vehicle to see what you can do without.

Better still, employ a mobile scales company to come and weight your fully loaded vehicle and caravan. They can assist with education and solving any concerns that may arise. They weigh each wheel and tow ball so you can see where the weight actually is.

Alternatively, take it to a GoWeigh weighbridge and download the 3-page caravan specific report on your vehicle.

Knowledge is power.

Think about the lives of your family and the other innocent people driving towards you at highway speeds. Hopefully they are driving a road worthy and insured vehicle.
More information on weights and safe towing practices on the Truck Friendly web site and page.

www.truckfriendly.com.au

Cheers
Ken Wilson

30/05/2024

Another great article from Ken. If you have a Horse float, please read

HORSE FLOATS

ARE YOU TOWING YOUR FLOAT LEGALLY AND SAFELY?

How to keep you and your horses safe.

Take a walk around the local pony association & horse club gatherings and you may see some large and often dangerous rigs. You will see some floats towed by vehicles not legally allowed to tow such a weight.

Horse riding and carriage driving are popular and enjoyable pastime for many people, and it is a popular and a fun weekend activity for many, however, some starting out, are towing often with limited driving and towing education or experience.

The horses also need to be transported, usually with a horse float towed behind the family car, 4 x 4 or ute. Often little consideration is given to the legalities and safety issues of transporting such a large animal.

SOME BASIC FACTS

HORSE WEIGHTS and sizes vary greatly from a Shetland pony at around 8-10 hands heigh at 200 – 225kgs, a heavy weight hack at 16 – 17 hands height at 450 to 600 kgs up to a draught horse at 16 - 18 hands height at 550 to 800 kgs or more. Weights courtesy DPI NSW.

TACK WEIGHT also varies greatly depending on the activity and the number of horses to transport but can easily average 20 – 40 kgs.

SADDLES vary on type and size but can average at around 10 to 25kgs each.

FEED – a bale of hay can weight approx. 25kgs and a bag of feed will be around 20kgs.

Adding all that up we have a basic average weight of around 700 to 800 kgs per horse with feed saddle and tack.

HORSE FLOATS

Floats vary in size and function. They are built heavy and strong due to the heavy and moving load they are designed to carry. There is the very basic one-horse floats (not popular) to the two, three, four and more horse floats with kitchens, sleeping accommodation, storage, portable panels and fences and awnings. Some are ‘pig’ trailers and others 5th wheeler or goose neck combinations.

Some floats are left parked in a paddock and often neglected until they are needed for the next event. In the meantime, the horses have urinated in the float causing rotting of the floors and rusting of the frame, axles and other components. Cleaning after each trip will assist, but it is not the whole answer and regular maintenance checks are vital for a safe float.

Tyre pressures, tyre age and conditions should be checked before each trip. More on tyres and how to tell tyre age on the Truck Friendly web site, under Caravan Safety.

A two-horse float can cost upwards of $13,000 and have a tare weight (unladen weight) of around 800 kgs with an ATM of approx. 2,000 kgs, (Maximum total legally allowable weigh of the float and all load in / on it). All vary so check the legally allowable weights of your float and its load.

The three-horse float can cost over $23,000 and have a tare weight of around 1,300 kgs and an ATM of approx. 3,500kgs, making them ‘on paper’, just towable with many popular 4 x 4 light vehicles.

But there is far more to the story than towing capacities when discussing can that car legally tow that trailer or float.

LEGALITIES OF SAFE TOWING

Towing a horse float has basically the same legal responsibilities as towing a caravan, boat, or any other large trailer. The main difference is that you have a live, moving load with a high centre of gravity on board, making stability a bit trickier.

The driver is responsible to ensure that the tow vehicle and trailer, (in this case, the horse float) are all loaded correctly, and weights, hitches and chains are all within legal limits.

The tow vehicle MUST have the capacity to tow the float within the manufacturers Aggerate Trailer Mass (ATM), the tow vehicle and trailers tow ball weight (TBW,) as well as the towing vehicles Gross Combined Mass (GCM). See the separate sections on the Truck Friendly web site on what you can actually tow with your vehicle. You will be surprised at how many are driving illegally..
This article is a good place to start your research, and just change the weights for those applicable to your vehicles.
https://www.truckfriendly.com.au/the-dual-cab-ute-marketing-hype/

YES, IT IS MUCH MORE THAN THE GLOSSY BROCHURE TOLD YOU ABOUT TOWING CAPACITY.

If you are over in ANY one of these weights you are driving a vehicle, not legally allowed on the road, and your insurance can be voided. Yes, read your insurance policy. All insurance can be voided if driving an overweight vehicle and / or an unroadworthy vehicle. Voided on both points.

Apart from that it is beyond the manufacturers recommended vehicle limits and you are a danger to yourself, your horse or horses, and all other vehicles on the roads.

It was reported that a triple horse float pulled by a Colorado dual cab ute was stopped in the Qld Police 2022 random roadside checks. The float had a basic kitchen and some accommodation. The driver was instructed not to proceed as they were over the limits of the Colorado and forced to empty 100l of water (100kgs) from the water tank just to be able to drive on the road to their destination.

The interesting thing was, IN THIS CASE THE TRIPLE HORSE FLOAT WAS EMPTY. Can you imagine how much overweight this rig would be if they had 3 x 500kg horses also on board. After all, that is the intention of owning the float.

Basically, the easy way is to have your fully loaded vehicle and float weighed at or on the way to your next outing. Many local councils will allow you to use their weighbridge at the dump, and there are also commercial weighbridges available.

The GoWeigh weighbridges are in almost every state and a mobile scales company can be invited to your next horse event and assist with vehicle weight education and the actual weighing of loaded floats attending. If using a GoWeigh weighbridge, the system is very similar to weighing a caravan and can provide an easy to follow downloadable 3-page report..

There is a list of mobile scales companies throughout Australia who can weigh your rig (preferable fully loaded for an event) to see just how much your rig weighs for peace of mind. The list is published during the first week of each month on the Truck Friendly caravan road safety program page. You are welcome to share it among club members and the wider community.

ALL vehicles must have electric brakes (or in some cases override brakes to a max of 2,000kgs) fitted when towing a trailer / float over 750kgs. Check that electric brakes are adjusted correctly and can be adjusted for a softer braking around town or heavier braking for faster highway driving via the controller in the tow vehicle.

There are some braking systems on some horse floats that are controllable and adjusted via a phone app, however good luck explaining to the police why you were using your phone while driving and not get a hefty fine. Remember the brakes need to be adjusted to different braking strengths for low speed around town and faster highway travel.

An electronic brake controller adjustable within the cab that also has an override button so that you can independently apply the trailer brakes if needed is always the best option.

All trailer safety chains, and ‘D’ shackles are connected and rated to the correct breaking capacity to be able to take the sudden strain of the float if it becomes disconnected, especially with your valuable horse / horses in it.

Ensure that you have adequate mirrors on the tow vehicle. While most would be adequate, however, if your float body is wider than your tow vehicle, you may legally, and for safety reasons need towing mirrors to help eliminate those blind spots. NOTE that adequate rear / side vision is a legality, not a suggestion. You must be able to see both the rear corners of your float from the driver’s seat.

Remember that you have a live animal in the float that can move around so the weight can shift, and the horse can lose balance. Drive, corner, and brake, smoothly and carefully…When travelling home after a big event, remember you will be tired so take regular breaks and use common sense when judging how far you should drive.

It is recommended for all those transporting horses, privately or commercially, to read articles by Barbara Padalino who has a speciality in horse health and transport and is an Associate Professor of Animal Science and with the University of New England. She has highlighted many considerations when loading a horse to help ensure the horse’s immune system, mental wellbeing and safety is not compromised.

Her research has some very interesting findings, including allowing horse head movement, ensuring adequate air flow, horse balance and type of side panels, horses travelling facing away from the direction of travel, allowing male horses room to stretch to urinate and many more recommendations based on her and other international studies. Some research contradicts modern horse transport practices and procedures.

I recommend that all those transporting live animals consider the safety and wellbeing of their animals by doing research on the correct and safest procedures. It may not be what you are told by well-meaning fellow horse riders.

Install a UHF radio in your tow vehicle. They are a very useful safety device, especially if travelling on the highways.

Tuned to channel 40 – the ‘highway safety channel you will hear of roadblocks, wide loads, and other useful information.

A friend had her horse fall in the horse float, and she was contacted by UHF by a truck driver following and was able to pull over to assist the horse before any serious injury was done to the horse thanks to UHF communication.

Ideally, ask your pony / horse local association to arrange a weighing day. I am sure your local mobile caravan weigh company will assist. It is a responsibility of many clubs to help ensure that members are instructed on safe driving and towing.
Talk to a local mobile scales company about doing a group weigh as a fundraiser for your club.

You are welcome to share this information throughout your local clubs and fellow horse owners.

Stay safe.
Cheers
Ken Wilson
Truck Friendly caravan road safety program.

[email protected]

30/05/2024

Please ensure you are getting your rig weighed correctly. We are the only South Australian Mobile weighing company that are members of the MWAA.

ARE YOU WEIGHING THE CARAVAN RIGS THE CORRECT WAY?

I and Truck Friendly, have received several messages from people asking about the correct way to weigh a caravan and tow vehicle. Some stories are very disappointing.

One of the main issues they ask about is: -
SHOULD THE CARAVAN AND TOWING VEHICLE BE ON THE SAME PLANE WHEN WEIGHED?

IE: - Should one vehicle / caravan have spacers under the tyres when weighing the second vehicle / caravan to compensate for the height of the scales?

The short answer to this question is YES – definitely.

There are some that may disagree for their own reasons and I am always open to hear them. However, please test and advise results on several different vans, and not just base your comments on the results of one van weigh.

The facts are that the scale reading will be different on almost all vans if the tow vehicle and caravan are 50mm or so higher or lower than each other. Some mobile scales operators use thinner scales so any difference may be less than if using the common 50 – 65 mm thick scales but there will usually still be some difference. Compare and check yourself.

I have asked several mobile scales operators for feedback on their experiences in weighing different vans at differing heights off the ground. Using blocks or not using blocks. They report finding of a difference from 2 kgs through to 22 – 30 kgs difference when weighing vehicles level or unlevel. It differs from caravan and tow vehicle to caravan and tow vehicle and cannot be judged just by looking at the rig prior to weighing.

Is this small difference worth considering many ask and the reason many operators don’t do it?

I ASK, WHAT IS THE CUSTOMER PAYING FOR? Are they happy with an approximate weight figure or do they want an accurate weight figure.

While I agree if you are worried about 2 – 5 kgs on the weight of your van you may well have other issues, it does not override the fact that the customer has asked for a professional weigh and by assumption an accurate weight figure. Are you offering a professional service to your customers?

The difference in the weights caused by the vehicles being on a different level stem from many factors but is all based around the leverage effect.

Simply raising or lowering the tow hitch by 50 mm will change tow hitch weights. If tow hitch weights change, then that weigh is transferred from, or to some other parts of the caravan or tow vehicle through leverage.

FOR EXAMPLE: - Dave Lewis from Weightcheck, is one of Australia’s most experienced caravan weighers and was one of the very first in Australia to do it professionally. He is also a presenter with Caravanning Qld’s towing training team at expos etc. Dave found the following results on a dual axle caravan with Jayco J-Tech Suspension, he weighed for testing purposes with the tow hitch at ride height and 50mm higher and again at 50mm lower.

When lowering the tow ball by 50mm from the height it was on the car:
* TBM decreased by 18 kgs (Lighter)
* Front axle got heavier by 121 kgs
* Rear axle got lighter by 103 kgs

When raising the tow ball by 50mm from the height it was on the car:
* TBM increased by 15 kgs (Heavier)
* Front axle got lighter by 100 kgs
* Rear axle got heavier by 85 kgs

While these results are specific to that test caravan and tow vehicle, it clearly shows some of the differences that can be found when weighing any vehicle not weighed at the ride height or level.

The size of the caravan, suspension type, A frame length, A frame and tow ball weight, location of weight in the caravan are all factors that will influence the tow ball weight and any weight change from level. This is not something any operator, no matter how experienced can judge, just by looking at a van without testing on a set of accurate scales.

Weighing a caravan and tow vehicle on the same level is extremely easy to do. If you are using 8 sets of scales, all wheels can be weighed at the same time and on the same level – problem solved. Many do this.

A set of 10 scales is required for 6-wheel conversion vehicles towing a dual axle van etc.

If weighing using a set of 4 scales the operator must weigh the tow vehicle and caravan separately and this is where the confusion starts. Many also use a separate set of tow ball scales which can be accurate if the tow hitch is weighed at ride height under travel load. Others will simply weigh the tow vehicle with the van attached, and then again unhitched and the difference is the tow hitch weight, so long as all vehicles were on the same plane at the time of weighing. Both methods work well when done correctly.

It should be noted that the authorities usually weigh using a set of 8 scales, weighing all wheels at the same time and on the same level. This is how you will usually be weighed on any roadside checks.If you are not weighing all at the same level then the results may be different from the authorities and you may be asked by your customer as to why.

There are also comments on social media that the authorities will remove any weight distribution hitches (WDH) prior to weighing, causing panic with many caravanners who may be borderline legal. According the QLD TMR this is not correct and the vehicle should be weighed as it travels on the road. Any WDH used when on the the combination is on the road will therefore be left on the vehicle. You can't be fined for something you haven't done.

Truck Friendly suggest that by simply getting a piece of wood and placing it in front of the tyres of the second vehicle when driving the first vehicle onto the scales you can easily have both vehicles (caravan and tow vehicle) at the same height for an accurate weigh. So simple, I don’t know why more don’t do it or complain about doing it.

If the scales are a common 50 mm thickness, then a 1,200 mm x 50 mm thick treated pine stair tread from bunnings cut into four will do the job at very minimal cost. Some use 2 x cheap max tracks cut in half of the same thickness as the scales.

I DO NOT have a concern if the operator advises their customer prior, that the weigh may not be fully accurate, for the above reasons and the customer is happy to proceed.

However, I do believe the customer should get what they pay for and not be given inaccurate results if they want and are paying for accurate figures. It is correct customer service after all.

Any relationship an operator has with their customer is between the operator and customer. The operator must live with the reviews that that customer gives to other people as a result. I have received many negative reviews over the years about some operators, and one wonders what is being discussed at 4 o’clock drinks. Some due to personality issues and some due to attitude or the equipment and method used.

I believe that a professional operator, operating a professional and accurate weighing service should give the customer what they pay for UNLESS they both agree otherwise. It will reflect on the customers perception of how experienced and professional the operator is and whether they recommend them to others.

With weighing on the same level taking an extra 30 – 45 seconds to place spacers in front of the non-weighing vehicle tyres, one wonders why it is not being done more.
Some operators report the weight difference may be less or nil on some single axle vans when compared to some dual axle vans.

Other concerns shown in social media photos sent to me include, there can be 60 kgs different between weighing at the jockey wheel or actual tow hitch. I have found 28 kgs difference between the tow hitch and end of the A frame at one professional weigh by a major franchise suspension company. Some can be seen using a cheap $70 spring post scale to weigh the tow ball weight. I have commented before on the inaccuracy of these scales and the fact that you may need to to place them in a hole so you can weigh the hitch at ride height. due to their length which changes when weight is applied. If you want the hitch weight, then weigh ‘the hitch’ at ride height not the jockey wheel.

All vans should be weighed on a level and hard surface and not on gravel or grass. The results can vary on different surfaces. Show professionalism and please watch what you post on social media. There are many photos of caravans being weighed on grass, gravel or weighing the jockey wheel instead of the hitch. This simply shows your customers that you do not weigh to a professional standard. Results may vary depending on the grass compression etc, so my advice is do it correctly the first time and don't do it.

A friend had their van weighed by a 'professional' and as one of his scales was broken he weighed their dual axle van one side at a time without even chocking the non-weighed side to the smae height. The whole vans centre of gravity would have been impacted resulting in inaccurate figures being given to the customer,, when queried he did offer a small discount.

The newly formed Mobile Weighing Association of Australia (MWAA) is attempting to help educate all those in the industry on weighing to a common professional standard and provide professional reports to their customers. While I am not connected with this association, I support their goals and wish them well.

Talking with a local weighbridge operator when I started this program, he advised that his weighbridge was NOT licenced to weigh tow ball weights due to the short weighing pads and not all the caravan and car could be on the same level at the same time. Most weighbridges are long enougfh to fit a B'Double and therfore a car and caravan, However his wasn't that long due to his specific companies weighing needs.

This article may upset some operators and it is just my opinion based on, research, experience weighing caravans and data provided by several current experienced operators; however, I am always interested to learn more and if there is some legitimate reason why they do not do it, I am always interested to discuss.

I agree that the difference may be minimal on some vans, but also, it may also not be minimal. Only by comparing on the same van, weighed two different ways can one accurately judge. If doing two weighs to test, then why not just do it right the first time, every time.

What do the customers of mobile scales companies think? No company names on negative comments please, as they will be deleted for legal reasons.

Photo courtesy WeightSafe - Hervey Bay. Yes, he does chock the no weighing wheels.

Stay safe everyone.
Cheers
Ken

29/05/2024

Always great to have a result as good as this 1. This Yorke Peninsula Family are about to head off on holidays and booked in for a weigh at Port Hughes. Even though they still have a few items to pack they have plenty of room to add extra in the vehicle & van. Congratulations and safe travels. , , ,

25/05/2024

Busy day weighing vans at the Port Hughes boat ramp, if you are in the area come down and say hi. Wish we were fishing 😜Yorke Peninsula Buy Swap & Sell, Copper Coast and YP for sale, , , ,

20/05/2024

We are currently selling our SR20. We are offering the new purchaser a FREE comprehensive weight report upon purchase. Also a "SPOTTERS FEE" We would also like to offer a FREE weight report of your vehicle and van if you are the person whom finds a buyer for us. All messages to be VIA private message . Cheers Happy camping 😏

16/05/2024

Apologies to all, I am trying to update our page without the assistance of the kids 😂😂😂, Think I will leave it until they visit next. Cheers

15/05/2024

Over the last several years caravans and vehicles have become heavier, but payloads and limits haven't increased. This has led to the majority of 4x4s and caravanners coming close to weight limits, and a subsequent rise in the popularity of GVM upgrades. And people are now more aware that a 3500kg t...

08/05/2024

Yorke Peninsula here we come. We will be at Port Hughes on Saturday 25th May. Get in quick if you would like your rig weighed. Limited Spots available. Yorke Peninsula Buy Swap & Sell, Whats On In The Yorke Peninsula, Copper Coast and YP for sale, YP FARMERS buy sell & swap, , ,

08/05/2024

Proud to be involved with this eventAllin Towbars, Lovells Adelaide, Tonkin Engineering, OverweightCheckmate.com.au if you missed out and want to be sure you are driving legally ? Please contact us for a comprehensive report of your Rig.

04/05/2024

After weighing the van at the boat ramp , great night at the Tavern for dinner and refreshments 👍

01/05/2024

Another large Boat, this 1 built by Jim Theodore in Port Adelaide, complete with Gyro.
I think it's time we reinvested in another boat. Unfortunately, it won't be this size 😪

28/04/2024

Congratulations Tony & Lucia, Good to see you have invested in your tow vehicle and haven't overpacked your van. A little more Tow Ball Mass will bring you closer to 10%, More Beer and Wine under the bed 😉. Happy and safe travels

28/04/2024

Looking good and only a few weeks away from operation. If your looking to book a fishing charter, please get in touch with Peter from SeaWolf charters https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072141875220.

23/04/2024

Good news is not everyone is overweight.
Congratulations to our Clients for not only being within all of their Compliance weights but they also had a Tow Ball Mas of 10.1%. Almost Perfect 😉 It pays to Travel light, Don't think you can add all the fruit to your vehicle and stay within your legal weights. Safe Travels