Weighbridge advise needed (1 Viewer)

[Armytwowheels]

This afternoon we intended to going to our local weighbridge once loaded up for our journey to Malvern. This is not a public weighbridge but a commercial company that will let you use their facility, but they told me over the phone thwt it does not weigh the wxles seperatly.
Will the reading be correct for a motorhome or do we need to find one that gives separate axle weights, or do you drive the front end on take a reading and then drive the back end on?

 

[JeanLuc]

Ask them to do two weighings: one with all four wheels on, then drive the front off and weigh just the back axle. That way you know whether the whole vehicle is within the MAM and whether the back axle is overloaded. Subtract second weighing from first to get the front axle loading.
Had ours done at a local scrap merchant a few weeks ago. He charged me £5 and issued a certificate.

 

[lorger]

Hi I'm no expert in this subject or any when I think about it, I'm with you though I would have thought if you do the front drive on and do both then drive off at the front and do the rear. I have been know to be wrong once or twice before

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[vwalan]

its ok if its level .some have a sloped run in and off .but if its close its better than nothing .
you could stop for some shopping and then be over . even using the toilet could be enough after a few days . ha ha .

 

[cranky]

I have just had the same problem, our local scrappie was happy to do it but the ramp was quite steep so an accurate reading on one axle is impossible, however the reading on both axles is good to know. The problem is if you are over the limit it means you were illegal on the drive there and unless you leave some kit at the scrapyard you will be illegal on the drive home. Better to weigh it empty and then weigh what you put in it.
( as an aside, the chap at the weighbridge informed me that a scaffolding lorry that was overweight incurred a £14,000 fine for the owner and a £4000 fine for the driver!) It was more than 3.5 tonne over mind and yes, he does get motorhomes brought in, escorted by the police/vosa!

 

[cranky]

I dont know if this is of use. http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/business/tradingstandards/ts_business/public_weighbridges.htm

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[Armytwowheels]

Thanks for the advise. I think it will be a worth while exercise to see what we weigh. We know the van has physically been uprated, I.e air ride suspension, anti roll bars (or something). the previous owners had a pull out scooter rack and towbar fitted. We had our tyres changed for bigger ones earlier this year.

There is something in the vans paper work about this work and weight tolerances but it's in German. There is not a new plate stuck on by the vin plate, which I believe there should be if uprated for the UK?

Is it just me or is this a right minefield?

 

[laneside]

Be careful if you choose to weigh empty and then weigh the stuff back in.

If you have a large overhang then due to the leverage effect on the rear axle every kilo will add far more than a kilo to your axle weight

 

[TheBig1]

regardless of any paperwork saying the weight has been uprated, if the plate/sticker has not been changed, then its the lower weight on display that is the legal limit. VOSA and the police will not look at paperwork and give the benefit of doubt, they read the plate/sticker.

as for not providing axle weights, this is critical, so either insist on weighing total then drive off front wheels and reweigh, or find another weighbridge.

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[cranky]

Be careful if you choose to weigh empty and then weigh the stuff back in.

If you have a large overhang then due to the leverage effect on the rear axle every kilo will add far more than a kilo to your axle weight

A good reason why you need to know both axle limits and as you say it is more complicated than just weighing it and putting it in a locker.SVtech have a load distribution programme on their website which could be useful although I haven't tried it yet myself.

 

[Letsgetaway]

Hi All

If your local weigh-bridge station can't do it all your freiendly MoT station can give you an acurate front and rear axle weight these days.

Hope this helps

Simon& Rachel