Do vosa unhitch and weigh? I was assuming they just use the rolling method. I used a vosa place near to peterlee I'll dig the map out later and see exactly. But it was set up to do random roadside checks if needed.
i agree that we need to lose weight, but my other point is that it is so easy to be over. We have 2 empty cupboards too! So of we fill em we have had it. And it rules out taking the kids bikes in the summer.
like i say, it seemed accurate as we were well within the car axle limits. So i could very easily put stuff in the car re the weight, its just there is no room.
a weighbridge at home is too far to go and use, so might invest in a caravan scale. I would rather be the one smiling in the queue if i,m pulled. Not working out the points and fine.
A weight check would be on axle weighbridge but would be accurate of course. Loading is about using your sense really. Weighing your caravan on a public weighbridge will tell you that is not overweight & then load your car sensibly, bearing in mind you need to avoid very heavy items in boot as you could overload car rear axle with caravan attached. You can put bikes on roofrack.
It depends on how much margin you allow, if caravan is well under towcar max limit then its easier to get things right. If you have large towcar then you could get caravan replated for higher mtplm as suggested, as caravan chassis are normally rated below their design weight.
Having said that your chances of getting pulled in a weight check are quite low & in any check they will be looking for outfits that are likely to be overweight which yours won't.
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Worried about being pulled for being overweight? avoid junction three (weighbridge below) and Michael Wood services (both M5) in summer time if possible,they have regular checks of caravans,and trucks,got the T shirt for my truck,not a very pleasant experience wondering if everything is ok,once got taken to a VOSA vehicle examination site and was there for three quarters of an hour while they went over the truck with a fine tooth comb,given a clean bill of health thankfully
Before prosecution VOSA, or as it's now called DVSA allow 5% overweight before any proceedings are taken. Therefore as an example if your caravan had a MTPLM of say 1400kgs, it would have to exceed 1470kgs before proceedings are taken, by either DVSA or police. They could still get you to off load some of the contents though to ensure you comply before going on your way and obviously it's not advisable to be travelling overweight.
I would get the caravan weight on a static weighbridge and disconnect it from the car. On an axle weighbridge the load of the caravan is superimposed upon the towing vehicle, like an artic. Axle weights may be accurate but you need to have the van free standing to get a true MTPLM weight.
If VOSA were being totally bloody minded, the could slap a prohibiton notice on the van being moved, let you go on your way with the car, unload,then return to pick up the van after transferring load from van to car. Prosecution shouldn't result in points on your licence. (It never used to.)
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
As stated by joe blog VOSA or DVSA is now a private organization and have to make money in order to continue so if they find a fault then you will be find by no points
------------- Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July
The plate on side of my Geist 485 says mtplm 1347kgs
miro 1157kgs
load 190kgs
The plate on BPW chassis says max load 1600kgs
max load per wheel 100kgs
max load tow hitch 1800kgs
If you add motor mover 38kgs + 1347kgs = 1375 kgs so I reckon that I dont have to reduce my 190kgs by weight of mover unless more than 100kgs per wheel tyre press 60 psi any thoughts on this ???????
Sorry they are not a private company but no longer get the government funding that they used to get and now have to make their own funding out of the public
------------- Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July
Quote: Originally posted by naturlist123 on 21/4/2014The plate on side of my Geist 485 says mtplm 1347kgs
miro 1157kgs
load 190kgs
The plate on BPW chassis says max load 1600kgs
max load per wheel 100kgs
max load tow hitch 1800kgs
If you add motor mover 38kgs + 1347kgs = 1375 kgs so I reckon that I dont have to reduce my 190kgs by weight of mover unless more than 100kgs per wheel tyre press 60 psi any thoughts on this ???????
Unless you get a new plate you have to go by what's on the plate on the van .so you need to take the weight of everything off the 1347kg so that 38kg comes out of your 190
Ps The Practical Caravan magazine in their 2005 issues state the mtplm of the Geist 485 basic is 1400kgs yet makers plate says 1347 kgs PCM state this was given figure by manufacturers Lund Munster Caravans at time of Printing ?? yet the exclusive has £1000 extra,s over basic model which must weigh more. I bet if you check on different makes of van youll find other discrepancies
Or do they use the 85% rule IE chassis max load 1600kgs 85% = 1360 kgs ??????? however this van is now up for sale after being fully serviced. and my main priorty is my new van