Mine might be a rarity. A while back I gutted my van and took it over the weighbridge. It weighed within a couple kilos of the plated tare. Was actually surprised, and the towball weight was spot on. Up to me now to make sure I keep it under the atm.

Cheers, John.

Hi

YA'know this is the discussion people have to have. If more discussion takes place about the ins an'outs of this topic more will know about them Then there will be a mood for change. Perhaps ?

Personally I think 'common sense' in regards to what you take and how to travel and the means to do so has well and truly escaped some people. Nothing new there though IMHO But it does mean that the rules and regs will tighten and ensnare us all sooner or later.  

Jaahn 

Radar wrote:

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I am starting to feel that there is on this subject that people are jealous of what other people do and have, maybe its time these people mind there own business with there observations of heavily laded caravans.

Time to enjoy out there, make the best of what you have.

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Why would we be jealous of anyone else, after being back in Melbourne for only 2 weeks we're heading up to QLD for 3 months towing a completely legal van & leaving our 17ft boat, off road camper trailer & million dollar home on the Port Phillip Bay beachfront behind? We have no desire to take ''everything but the kitchen sink'' with us up to QLD.

Possum3 wrote:

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There is a good article in Caravan & Camping Magazine discussing this and other issues in buying a new caravan www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/news/2017/how-to-avoid-a-lemon-59180/

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Gday...

One would hope that all who have viewed this long-winded thread have taken the time to read the link provided by Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan above.

And apart from reading the link's content totally, one would also fervently hope the link falling foul of the law contained within the text of the article has also been read thoroughly. Additionally, one would hope those links and the content are then shared to all the friends and acquaintances it may assist and forewarn and educate.

All, not just those who have been posting their opinions/advice/experence, should read, absorb and consider the content.

Perhaps if one takes the emotion out of this "weight issue" discussion and begins to absorb the growing information becoming available then one would temper their opinions.

It should also be remembered that, once the caravan has been taken from the dealer/seller, it is incumbent on the purchaser of van to be RESPONSIBLE for its compliance should the authorities check its actual compliance.

Notwithstanding that fact, if one feels there needs to be a change in the caravan industry's 'self-regulated' status then one should take the issue to those who are able (or SHOULD be able) to begin addressing and rectifying the situations where compliance plates are continuing to be non-representative of the actual weight of vans being produced, sold, registered and driven on the public roads.

Wearing out our fingers on keyboards and smartphones etc on forums achieves nothing - except the misplaced warming of oneself's feeling of achievement and of "having done something".

Cheers - John

The Belmont Bear wrote:

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The issue I'm more concerned with is the GCM, I have an ATM on the van of 3200kg but I keep it below 2700kg because if I fully loaded the tug more than 2700kg and I would be approaching the limit. As I am usually under with the tug I transfer somethings into it rather than using the van's front boot still the same overall weight but puts it more over the tug's back axle rather than hanging off the ball.

-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Wednesday 24th of May 2017 01:12:14 PM

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 Absolutely!

I solved my ATM problem by transferring heavy items from den to tug. ATM 20kg under and GCM well within limit. All legal, no insurance problem and tows real sweet! Never been worried about being weighed by fund raising authorities...but very worried should I need to lodge insurance claim.

Stay safe out there.

Dougwe wrote:

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If you are asking me AK, I have a heavy licence.

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 I think Macka has the heaviest licence by his Resume.

RADAR.

I said Owners ARE "supposed" to supply veh to suit load.
MOSt Good bosses did. I found.

I've had a couple tickets for over. By the ton.
Only when the pricks were where they not supposed to be though.

Any Straight flatbed.Bin.Tray loads are completely the drivers choice as to when to stop loading.
If the boss says load this and you KNOW it's over.
YES. NO. Your responsibility.

Yrs ago. I worked for BRS (British Road Services). Driving semi's all over UK.
You couldn't dig trenches for gas lines or Motorways.when ground frozen.

Trlr picked up loaded. You rope and sheet.
Great. You just picked up and dropped off trlrs. NEVER touched them.

After that. I drove private.
First load 2 am Mon Morn. Boss had load on tray for you. to . Wherever.
Rest of week, till you got home Sat arvo.
ALL the loads to wherever YOU arranged from Transport depot's
that used anybody's truck who fronted wanting a load.

I also spent a lot of my life operating cranes. Loading the misshapen, Unbalanced ones too.
They were interesting at times.
And often being up to several hundred tons and more (double lifts.)
we were ALL very careful with placement of.

I Personally Never took a load I wasn't happy with. More respect for mY licence and Morality.
I've seen what an Overload can do when it runs away.
Not on my concience thank you.

TheHeaths wrote:

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Peter,

you and Mike make a good pair based on your posts and replies on this forum.

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Perhaps we would Ian.

But, you see, if every one accepts every little law and regulation *then* where would we be?

Mavericks make an important contribution to society; they challenge its conceited righteousness.

And keep in mind that for many, laws are merely an inconvenience which can be ignored if one has sufficient money or political power - I offer Uber as just one of many examples.