Yes
As I left the M5 at junction 27, I was pulled over by a police car on the island and he requested I follow him to a weighbridge. When we got there there were rows of caravans. It was Friday of the Spring Bank a couple of years back.
Checked car. (1 month old Galaxy) and caravan.
Then the weighbridge!
Only 250kg over the Max Weight
I thought I was careful, even at excess weight I was still only 74% and the police saw we were not carryng anything down the centre of the caravan.
The assumption was that there was a problem with the factory weight and I was advised to get it checked on my return and allowed to go on my way. Others were no so fortunate and were being made to take items out of van and put them into car. Others were not being allowed to continue their journey. And tickets issued.
This was a large operation with dozens of police and vehicles involved.
On return I emptied the van and took it to be weighed. The plated factory weight was correct, so I was a quater ton over weight. And I struggled to keep within the weights for a weekend rally. No chance for a holiday of 1 week or more.
Now I always have my vans weighed, and up plated if possible, but this is not always possible.
My experience tells me that 80% of caravans will be over weight. So those of you who tow at 90% or 95% beware.
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