Hi all, Just joined and after some advise on the weight of van i should be looking for. I drive a Ford Ranger 2012. If i go by the CCA guide lines, the only van i SHOULD tow is a EURO light weight. All of the vans i am interested in (we will be living in it) take me to the max of my towing capacity. Some Thoughts and or advise would be appreciated.
Desert Dweller said
05:07 AM Jan 25, 2018
When you eventually find one that you want to buy don't believe the weights printed on the compliance plate, get it weighed on a weighbridge WHILE YOU"RE THERE.
Dougwe said
07:00 AM Jan 25, 2018
Welcome to the gang Silver Fox 54, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Agree with weights, IMO, Oh, and the authorities is don't go over the den and car weights AT ALL, try to keep both under listed weights. Try not to hang everthing including the kitchen sink off either. The people with pen and paper might not be as attracted to you then.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
the rocket said
07:59 AM Jan 25, 2018
Desert Dweller wrote:
When you eventually find one that you want to buy don't believe the weights printed on the compliance plate, get it weighed on a weighbridge WHILE YOU"RE THERE.
I will second that.
the rocket said
08:00 AM Jan 25, 2018
Hello silverfox 54, welcome. Enjoy.
Possum3 said
01:34 PM Jan 25, 2018
Remember to deduct all the "Gear" you will want to take with you - also driver and any passengers in your Ranger must be included in your GCM www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance I also reaffirm what others on here have said about the difference between Tare Mass stamped on compliance plate and actual Tare Mass.
Cadpete said
05:48 PM Jan 25, 2018
G'day Silver Fox 54 and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. I reckon the other folks have covered the weights for you :)
Pete and Marion
Silver Fox 54 said
06:45 PM Jan 25, 2018
Thank all, Looking forward to meeting some of you on the road. Thanks for the advise.
Hope you all have a great Orstralya day.
Woody n Sue said
02:02 PM Jan 27, 2018
And its welcome from us two 2 silver fox 54 your off to a good start with the advice up above .
Woody
Silver Fox 54 said
07:32 AM Jan 28, 2018
Hi all, There are some scary sights out there. Yesterday noticed a Ford Territory pulling a 31ft Supreme Base-camp. Does any body check these things or is it basically self regulated?
VandC said
10:30 AM Nov 18, 2018
BEING A FIRST TIME CARAVANER FOR THE LAST YEAR, I TOO FELL INTO THE TRAP OF CARAVAN WEIGHTS AND THE UNDERSTATING OF WEIGHTS BY CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS, PLEASE WHAT EVER CARAVAN YOU BUY, BEFORE YOU PAY FOR IT, MAKE IT A CONDITION THAT THE CARAVAN THAT YOU HAVE ORDERED OR ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE, THAT YOU TAKE IT OVER A LICENSED WEIGH BRIDGE TO CONFIRM THE COMPLIANCE PLATE!!!
BE aware that accessories you order on your van are not always included in your tare weight on the compliance plate and could get you into severe trouble
MANUFACTURES PLAY WITH WEIGHTS ITS A HORRIBLE MESS
The weigh stations on our roads are now asking anyone over 4.5Tonne to pull over as directed, we have seen lots of caravans at weigh stations just sitting there, just left waiting for a truck to take them home due to rigs being over weight, either tow vehicle over legal weight, caravan being over weight, or GCM combined vehicle and caravan being over weight. The tow ball weight needs to be taken into consideration especially on the vehicle GVM, a trap I also fell into and had to increase the GVM on my Landcruiser.
I purchased a van from a so called reputable manufacturer - TOO HEAVY - please be aware !!!
The best litmus test I found was speaking to people in caravan parks with the same model caravan, something I should have done before I bought mine!
I see on a lot of reviews, a need for national caravan regulations and a regulatory body - why isn't there one?
It would clean up a whole lot lemons and or bad apples
Silver Fox 54 said
11:11 AM Nov 18, 2018
Thanks all for your advise. I had the car & van weighed by a mobile weight checker in Brisbane and luckily came in under weight in all aspects (both individually and combined).
If you were like me and unsure, it is worth spending the money for piece of mind. Its probably cheaper than the fine and inconvenience .
Hi all, Just joined and after some advise on the weight of van i should be looking for. I drive a Ford Ranger 2012. If i go by the CCA guide lines, the only van i SHOULD tow is a EURO light weight. All of the vans i am interested in (we will be living in it) take me to the max of my towing capacity. Some Thoughts and or advise would be appreciated.
Agree with weights, IMO, Oh, and the authorities is don't go over the den and car weights AT ALL, try to keep both under listed weights. Try not to hang everthing including the kitchen sink off either. The people with pen and paper might not be as attracted to you then.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
I will second that.
Hello silverfox 54, welcome. Enjoy.
G'day Silver Fox 54 and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. I reckon the other folks have covered the weights for you :)
Pete and Marion
Hope you all have a great Orstralya day.
Woody
BEING A FIRST TIME CARAVANER FOR THE LAST YEAR, I TOO FELL INTO THE TRAP OF CARAVAN WEIGHTS AND THE UNDERSTATING OF WEIGHTS BY CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS, PLEASE WHAT EVER CARAVAN YOU BUY, BEFORE YOU PAY FOR IT, MAKE IT A CONDITION THAT THE CARAVAN THAT YOU HAVE ORDERED OR ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE, THAT YOU TAKE IT OVER A LICENSED WEIGH BRIDGE TO CONFIRM THE COMPLIANCE PLATE!!!
BE aware that accessories you order on your van are not always included in your tare weight on the compliance plate and could get you into severe trouble
MANUFACTURES PLAY WITH WEIGHTS ITS A HORRIBLE MESS
The weigh stations on our roads are now asking anyone over 4.5Tonne to pull over as directed, we have seen lots of caravans at weigh stations just sitting there, just left waiting for a truck to take them home due to rigs being over weight, either tow vehicle over legal weight, caravan being over weight, or GCM combined vehicle and caravan being over weight. The tow ball weight needs to be taken into consideration especially on the vehicle GVM, a trap I also fell into and had to increase the GVM on my Landcruiser.
I purchased a van from a so called reputable manufacturer - TOO HEAVY - please be aware !!!
The best litmus test I found was speaking to people in caravan parks with the same model caravan, something I should have done before I bought mine!
I see on a lot of reviews, a need for national caravan regulations and a regulatory body - why isn't there one?
It would clean up a whole lot lemons and or bad apples