Overweight vehicles

Brooksy48 · Veteran Member

Overweight vehicles

Pamela G · Senior Member

any idea how large the van is . It looks big. Is it a Bt50 towing it.

Trevor

JackoFJR · Senior Member

Well there ya go actual proof , not just a rumor .

KFT · Guru

JackoFJR wrote:
Well there ya go actual proof , not just a rumor .

Exactly Jacko, we have been waiting for this to happen and now it is.

Possum3 · Guru

Happened to us just East of Cloncurry Qld -Police and Roads Inspectors joint operation.

Fastcoach · Senior Member

I know I'll probably get shot down in flames here, but I believe it's way past time that those who are charged with protecting us from harm on our roads took the matter of dangerously overloaded RV's and vans of all shapes and sizes, more seriously.

It would be hard to imagine that the combo in the picture would be legal, unless the van was completely empty.

Nobody yet knows for sure what caused the recent multiple fatality in SA where the two grand parents and two young kids were killed on the eve of the school holidays, but you would have to imagine that incorrect loading or being overweight may have been at least a contributing factor in causing their vehicle to start swaying over the centre line into the path of oncoming traffic.

With ever larger and larger vans being built with more and more "essential" creature comforts, the problem of overweight vehicles will only increase. Why is it that so many people these days seem to believe that to have a happy holiday in the great outdoors, they need to have everything they have at home? What's wrong with living a more simple existence when you're away and enjoy a sense of getting back to nature?

I hope the authorities continue to do more and more spot checks on major and minor roads to ensure that those who don't believe the rules apply to them get a different perspective and a bloody good fine to boot.

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi All,

Why not make all RV combo's pull into a truck weigh station just like the trucks are made do. This would sort them out. Then some folks might pay more attention to their own responsibilities.

I see some Tupperware boats on the road as an example, been towed by very poorly under rated tow vehicles. Not on.

Jim

Neil n Chris · Veteran Member

The Van in the pic passed with flying colours, legally, it is a Bailey so ATM under 2000kg, read the lady's story on Bailey forum, no one should worry if not overloaded

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

Police had the whole Princes Hwy blocked last Tuesday at a weighbridge between Cann River & Orbost. They were pulling everything over, cops everywhere. Weighing some larger rigs than our single axle 1500kg caravan. I got breathalized. Keep your weights legal & don't overindulge at happy hour. There were a couple of caravans parked with no-one in them, impounded maybe?

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Monday 16th of May 2016 04:58:30 PM

Bass · Senior Member

Last year in the truck got pulled over at the Bairnsdale barby and had a van in front of me that was waved in. asked the copper what was the go with the van and he said just education at the moment but when everyone gets their act together it will become more common. guess they have got their act together.
Cheers bass

deverall11 · Guru

About time. Nearly every second van/tug combo is overweight. Some of the so called greynomads are even proud of it.
Here's an example on how easy it is to be overweight:
Standard 200 series Landcruiser has an allowance of about 650kg.
1) 300kg on the ball
2) 2 passengers with a few things 200kg
3) 138 litres of diesel 100kg
That's 600kgs just gone before you drive off

gumpybsc · Senior Member

Hey Deverall11 they're pretty big passengers! I agree with your point however. Actually the full tank of diesel would be closer to 130 kg.

My wife has to pack half a ton of stuff just for a day out, so that's most of our cruiser's allowance even before I climb in to drive!! Just as well I'm only a whippet wink wink

NeilandRaine · Guru

I try to stay legal but find it very hard. What has got me confused is that my van specs say the axles are rated for a weight of 2950 kg
yet being as the van is 1800 empty I am only allowed to be 2200, or so says my compliance plate.
I have noticed lately a lot of new vans have a far higher load rating than the old industry standard 400k. Do they realise that 400 k is no where near
enough.

Shogun · Senior Member

Since in the market for a van I was amazed by what I saw out on the roads being towed by vehicles that were no where near legal. Since I have a Hilux that has a 2500kg towing limit I made bloody sure the van I bought was under the limit. It came in at an ATM of 2450kg. Even still I will pay the $30 and weigh it on a weigh bridge at the local service centre when it's fully loaded to make sure I'm legal.
So many people are risking their lives and all road users by not being compliant.

There is no excuse for being over the registered limit. Whether it's speed, towing, alcohol or drugs. Ok rant over

Travel safe.

Brett

PeterD · Guru

gumpybsc wrote:
Hey Deverall11 they're pretty big passengers! I agree with your point however. Actually the full tank of diesel would be closer to 130 kg.

From Wikipedia - "As of 2010, the density of petroleum diesel is about 0.832 kg/L (6.943 lb/US gal)"

That makes the weight in Deverall's 130 l tank - 130 x 0.832 = 108.16 kg

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

At this time of the year we always head back home to good old Melbourne. No matter what route we take, the Princes Hwy, Hume Hwy, Newell Hwy, Cobb Hwy or the Kidman Way our hands get tired from waving to thousands of caravaners heading north to ''get away from it all'' & ''taking it all with them''. Looking at the gear hanging off many of them we'd say a good percentage of them would fail a roadblock like the one we saw the other day. The fitting of canopies, bullbars, roof racks, towbars & everthing else to a 1 ton utility detracts enormously from its load carrying capacity, add to that the driver, passenger, fuel, refrigerator, ball weight, tools etc & its definitely overweight. With a tinny on the roof, outboard motor, generator, jerry cans & bicycles hanging off the van it's a recipe for disaster. Thank goodness the authorities are now beginning to take some action, good on ém.

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 11:31:55 AM

Bello · Veteran Member

I purchased a 'van new afew years ago and after having trouble with tyres and springs for all that time I decided to get it looked at by an expert. First thing was to weigh the 'van empty, 2.1 tonne, nearly half a tonne over the weight on the plate. Not kidding. So spent the money to get the suspension changed. We put 3 tonne springs and axle under the van and had it registered for 2.6 tonne loaded.

Moral to the story, make sure when buying a 'van get a certificate from a weigh bridge dated no longer than a couple of days before you pick-up the 'van. YThis should apply for new and used 'vans.

Bello

-- Edited by Bello on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 07:21:34 AM

Bass · Senior Member

was under the impression Toyota's tare included full fuel, better weigh and check I think.
Cheers bass

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Oh hang on !! Where are the guys saying these Manu spend millions designing these things ?? Oh yea !! It's all about money and undercutting the opposition ! Yes it's not over expensive to fit a complete 3 ton Spring system !! Much much safer too ., Look at fitting a sub frame to support pick up points if std frame is light in that area also .

Bruce and Bev · Guru

having lived near a main road from Perth heading north which carries 99% of all tourist and holiday traffic, most of the older 'vanners seemed to have a tug and van that LOOKED legal eg the tail of the tug wasn't hanging down and the van sat level.

What we did notice was on school holidays all the young families pulling an older (and heavier) or big caravan with Rav 4's, XTrails (no doubt used by Mum during the week to pick up the 4 kids in the back, along with the dog, canoes and water cans and extra fuel on the roof rack. The poor little tug was trying not to scrape its bum along the road and the caravan was tilted downwards and often swaying.

I think the majority of people on nomad and RV sites like this are now well aware of overloading (but not necessarily compliant with the regs), but the casual RV holiday maker is not - they just have no idea of loading and having the front tug wheels almost off the ground

Darmc · Veteran Member

I am not just referring to this particular vehicle, I am sure many of us road users see over loaded vehicles. I will feel a lot safer, when overweight vehicles are off the road. Transport industry are often the target of over loading, but in our travels we see a lot of caravans that must be border line.

We all need to be aware of all road rules regarding mirrors, lights, number plates, weight, protruding tow balls etc. If your vehicle causes injury or damage to property, and you are found to be at fault, the costs could run into many thousands of dollars, and insurance companies may not cover your claim.

We have been given a lot of advice from many people over the years, however, not everyone is up to date with the changes in road rules. Checking with the authorities D of M R's, and acquiring a copy of the laws is much safer than campfire conversation.

Darmc

-- Edited by Darmc on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 05:10:05 PM

-- Edited by Darmc on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 05:14:20 PM

LLD · Senior Member

Brooksy48 wrote:
There has been some discussion in the past of car and van combinations being stopped and weighed to determine if they are complying with stated allowances. These pictures were posted by a friend on my Facebook page showing vehicles being pulled over recently in Cann River and being weighed.

The van is a Bailey. They are very light. Saw several recently on the Sunshine Coast. The one in the pic is the Cartagena and has an ATM of 2130kg.

http://baileyaustralia.com.au/range/unicorn/

-- Edited by LLD on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 04:56:37 PM

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

As far as overweight rigs go, there are no concessions for seniors, contrary to what some people think. Age is no excuse. The above post about younger, working caravaners being the main overloading culprits is absolute rubbish. Retirees are by far the worst offenders. When I got booked recently for for having my towing mirrors attached when not towing my van & saying to the cop that I hadn't been pulled over for over 40 years it made absolutely no difference. He didn't give a damn!

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 07:27:57 PM

Silver Anchor · Member

Your axles may handle that weight according to the manufacturer but not the law. Most trucks have a 9 ton steer axle but are limited to 6.5 by law

RobandFlip · Senior Member

Our caravan has a load sharing suspension, 4140 tool steel, 60 tons/tonnes each axle. We also have a vehicle capable of hauling it. We did not get our ambitions confused with the capabilities of both caravan and haul vehicle.
Cheers,
Robyn

LLD · Senior Member

There has been lots of issue with camper vans. The "shell" on the back is right on the tug's limit and on lots of occasions after the bedding, cutlery, food, water etc are loaded in, plus a driver & passenger, the gross weight is way over both the tug's & legal limit. And then the chassis snaps when a decent bump is hit.

Some people work on volume, not weight. If there is space to put it, lets put in in.

mezza56 · Senior Member

The 200 series has a kerb weight of 2740 and a GVM of 3350 - so 610 kg

The kerb weight includes a tank of fuel from what I have read , I may stand corrected tho