Police checks on overloaded vans in each state

TRB77 · Newbie

Police checks on overloaded vans in each state

Whenarewethere · Guru

Run your vehicle over your local weigh bridge for peace of mind.

Ivan 01 · Guru

There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.

Radar · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:
There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.

They only weighed the heavy ones.

yobarr · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:
There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.

Careful there Ivan, You are likely to be challenged by a fool who will ask you to provide proof of the veracity of this assertion, as I recently was when I posted figures that were taken from elsewhere on our own Grey Nomads site. After my discussions today with others at our free camp I am even more concerned about the numbers of units running around overloaded. How about an LC105 that weighed 3600kg (3260kg GVM) towing a hugely overloaded van that was able to have "3500kg on the wheels Mate" according to the owner. A check of the compliance plate showed ATM of 3120kg with GTM of 2820kg, while stamped tare was 2720kg! All this on a car with GCM 6760kg. Spare me. And we won't mention the LC200 that was present. Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 07:52:26 PM

Ivan 01 · Guru

Radar wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:
There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.
They only weighed the heavy ones.

If they only weighed the heavy ones then the figure would have been 100%

yobarr · Guru

Radar wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:
There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.
They only weighed the heavy ones.

Interesting assertion Ralph. Just how would they know the vans were overloaded without first weighing them? Cheers

boab · Senior Member

Yobarr the police man if you come up to me at my campsite preaching your weights bible at me you would be told to get lost

Whenarewethere · Guru

I think the technical term is, Murphy's Law!

yobarr · Guru

boab wrote:
Yobarr the police man if you come up to me at my campsite preaching your weights bible at me you would be told to get lost

Never do I approach others to challenge them about their weights, but many other travellers approach me to discuss my Solar which always then generates questions about my car's weights etc. Thus, I have not initiated the discussion, and never have I been told to "get lost". On the contrary, every person that I discuss weights with while on the road is more than receptive to my advice, and we invariably shake hands when we part. I am yet to meet a fellow traveller who is happy to continue to live in denial, or continue their ignorance. Indeed, I sometimes get calls weeks later from people asking for clarification of details, or seeking help with other problems. These people are most appreciative of my advice but it seems that, for others, ignorance is bliss. Which group do you think you would belong in? Cheers

Radar · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:
Radar wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:
There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.
They only weighed the heavy ones.
If they only weighed the heavy ones then the figure would have been 100%

My apologies.

I should of wrote "they only weighed the ones they believed to be overweight.

After 43 involved in heavy transport, I can tell you, the authorities only roll out a tape measure if your over lengh and the scales when you are suspected of being overloaded. They are not going to show the legal ones, its not good for Authorities records.

Just to set the record straight, I hope they educate the ones with there flash overweight cars and caravans. The sooner the better.

Secondly I have a weighbridge tickets for our car and caravan. We are travelling pretty good.

dabbler · Guru

Sorry, but it's incorrect to state that only suspect towing rigs are weighed. I've been through checkpoints on the Bruce Hwy several times in the last 18 months as I moved house from Gold Coast to Rocky. *All* traffic heading in both directions is directed to pullover. *All* drivers are breathalyser. *All* adult occupants are asked simple friendly questions. *All* towing setups are weighed, (including my Hilux dragging a box trailer with household furniture). Only ride height, ie lift, was visually assessed and measured if doubtful. Typically spots chosen have a rest area on one side and pad on the other, or northbound rest area/pad is located south of the southbound rest area/pad so most traffic is unaware until they encounter the inspection point.

86GTS · Guru

People are very sensitive about discussing weights mainly because many of them know that they're over & refuse to do anything about it.

yobarr · Guru

86GTS wrote:
People are very sensitive about discussing weights mainly because many of them know that they're over & refuse to do anything about it.

Ain't that the truth, and this is exactly what I have suggested in the past when we have had members, often 'newbies', vainly seeking reassurance that their Triton or similar, with spares, tools, outboard motor on board, with a boat on the roof can indeed tow their 3500kg van when, deep down, they know very well that they're living in La La land. When they're given details and advice that they don't want to hear they then disappear, often turning up on other caravan sites, again seeking the reassurance that sometimes is given because members of those sites have little knowledge of weights, no interest in learning, and woe betide anybody who dares to prove them wrong. Cheers

P.S Screen shot from our forum a couple of years ago.

Radar · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Radar wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:
There are plenty of them overloaded.

There was an exercise in Qld recently that exposed 90% of vans were non compliant at the time of testing. That is a fairly high percentage.
They only weighed the heavy ones.
Interesting assertion Ralph. Just how would they know the vans were overloaded without first weighing them? Cheers

Well I would say from experience just like you when you are driving along and observing that one there is a easy target, boat ontop of the car, outboard motor on the back, would that be a genie box, oh look at the fuel/water containers and the 2 bikes.

I am sitting here under our awning observing 3 expensive caravans, 2 cars with tinnies on and heavy draws with the frig in the back.

Whats the bet that 2 out of 3 are questional about their weights.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Not that all tinnies are heavy ? But its a red flag to be checked !

tea spoon · Senior Member

i started towing in 1973 whilst in the army stationed in Sydney had a honeymoon in the van to Mildura .......in all the time i towed vans up until this year............ i never ever got pulled over by the fuzz in my 49 years of towing......i towed with many ford falcons over the years with almost no problems ........

oldbloke · Guru

Would be great if someone could explain the relevance of that pic. Obviously a set up.
Why do some continue to post such nonsense.

Radar · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Not that all tinnies are heavy ? But its a red flag to be checked !

How may tinnies do you need before it classed as heavy.

My thoughts only anything I can not carry in one hand for 50 metres and lift to waist high is heavy.

Eg 20 litres of water equals about 20kgs, go for run.

-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 3rd of July 2022 06:35:09 PM

yobarr · Guru

Well I would say from experience just like you when you are driving along and observing that one there is a easy target, boat ontop of the car, outboard motor on the back, would that be a genie box, oh look at the fuel/water containers and the 2 bikes.
I am sitting here under our awning observing 3 expensive caravans, 2 cars with tinnies on and heavy draws with the frig in the back.
Whats the bet that 2 out of 3 are questionable comment about their weights.

Fair comment Ralph. Both you and I would know that this vehicle is overloaded to the point of stupidity but in my travels I see this sort of dreamers' machine setup on a daily basis. Always I get the same rubbish. "Tows great Mate. Just gotta drive to the conditions". Yeah, right. Cheers

yobarr · Guru

Radar wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Not that all tinnies are heavy ? But its a red flag to be checked !
How may tinnies do you need before it classed as heavy.
My thoughts only anything I can not carry in one hand for 50 metres and lift to waist high is heavy.
Eg 20 litres of water equals about 20kgs, go for run.

Quick chat with Mr Google says 10' tinnie is around 48kg, 12' is around 57kg and 14' around 61kg. That's another passenger, and that weight would be straight over the rear axle on most vehicles, so a "No No" on twin cabs and many SUVs (hate that terminology) with their lightweight rear axles. And then you've got the weight of the flash mechanism that many use to get the boat onto the roof. Cheers

DeBe · Guru

TINNY ON PANEL VAN.JPG This is a 10Ft tinny i take, it weighs 40Kg & the outboard i use is a 3Hp TAS aircooled & is quite compact & light. I can carry the tinny easily upside down with the seat on my shoulder.

Radar · Guru

yobarr wrote:

Well I would say from experience just like you when you are driving along and observing that one there is a easy target, boat ontop of the car, outboard motor on the back, would that be a genie box, oh look at the fuel/water containers and the 2 bikes.
I am sitting here under our awning observing 3 expensive caravans, 2 cars with tinnies on and heavy draws with the frig in the back.
Whats the bet that 2 out of 3 are questionable comment about their weights.
Fair comment Ralph. Both you and I would know that this vehicle is overloaded to the point of stupidity but in my travels I see this sort of dreamers' machine setup on a daily bases.
--------------
Yobarr.
I am dealing with a friend at the moment while camped here.
Twin cab ute, "yes but it only another passenger in the back seat as he fills 120 litre water blader in ute tub. And right at the rear.
His caravan has been re engineered to what ever but the ute is well over weight but tows awesomely but will not understand his total set up is still possibly overweight. Mainly the twin cab ute.
I have about 100 kilograms in my twin cab ute plus the towbal weight and we could be still over our reaxle weight.
When people start raving on about weights, I ask "have you weighed your set up", then I put in front of them a set of European made scales the police use regularly in Europe.
None have ever bother to try them to test there weights including our learned friend.
It like the old saying, "you can lead a horse to water but you can not make the horse drink it".
I don' t get re invited to parties. But really I don't care, they are to noisy, out of my league. I like my quiet life.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Getting back to original question went past the mermaids just outside bindoon two days ago on our big holiday. Two vans in convoy and they showed no interest. With the amount of trucks they do not care.

oldbloke · Guru

A 10 foot tinnie weighs from about 50 to 80 kg, add small outboard about 100kg all up. Equals one large person.

Sooo, we should not assume.e too much.

-- Edited by oldbloke on Sunday 3rd of July 2022 09:52:46 PM

yobarr · Guru

--------------

Yobarr.

I am dealing with a friend at the moment while camped here.

Twin cab ute, "yes but it only another passenger in the back seat as he fills 120 litre water blader in ute tub. And right at the rear.

His caravan has been re engineered to what ever but the ute is well over weight but tows awesomely but will not understand his total set up is still possibly overweight. Mainly the twin cab ute.

I have about 100 kilograms in my twin cab ute plus the towbal weight and we could be still over our reaxle weight.

When people start raving on about weights, I ask "have you weighed your set up", then I put in front of them a set of European made scales the police use regularly in Europe.

None have ever bother to try them to test there weights including our learned friend.

It like the old saying, "you can lead a horse to water but you can not make the horse drink it".

I don' t get re invited to parties. But really I don't care, they are to noisy, out of my league. I like my quiet life.

Strange coincidence Ralph, as I had a similar experience yesterday when chatting with the chap with the LC105 who said he'd already weighed it at 3600kg. GVM of LC105 is 3260kg, so he was already overweight, but he then proudly told me that the van he was towing could have "3500kg on the wheels mate" and was loaded accordingly. Since there is no way known he could legally have 3500kg GTM I checked his compliance plate and found that ATM was 3120kg, GTM was 2820kg and claimed tare 2720kg. Since we were only 2km from a council weighbridge where, after chatting to the operator, I had already checked my own weights for free I offered to accompany him to said weighbridge to show him how he was waaaay overloaded, illegal and uninsured. He hesitated before glancing at the boss who said "Don't worry about it Dear. We've got this far with no trouble". Party over. BUT he did approach me before they left this morning, thanking me profusely for my help, and admitting that all the "information" he'd gathered from other caravanners etc was nothing more than noise. There is little doubt that the people offering help had only good intentions, but from my experience it seems that there are VERY few travellers who have any real understanding of weights. Not knowing weights is understandable, but disputing assertions from those of us who DO know is hard to understand? Still, we can but battle on! Cheers

landy · Guru

Reminds me of a happy hour I attended in a free camp in Queensland some years ago. Holding court was a gentleman driving a ford ranger pulling a van off about 25 feet, was fitted with a bull bar, canopy, driving lights, a boat on the roof and all the other goodies you can think of. The gent in question was explaining to the group what a great tow vehicle his ranger was as he had also fitted also a second (or long range fuel tank ) a boat loader dual batteries and on top of that he was still able to carry a ton in the tray. confuse

Landy

Radar · Guru

Like Landy.

I was up North Queensland in a small caravan park, relaxing, enjoying a cuppa, when this gentleman said hello and ask me about my ute, which is a little bit different to most normal utes and he tells me he one. After a few minutes his questioning was becoming very investigating and I worked out he was not a gentlemen but a public servant in Victoria.

To get rid of him and his line of questioning, We drove out the gate.

Do you remember that incident down near Lakes Entrance a few years back now, well I smelt the rat.

snap1946 · Senior Member

yobarr wrote:
Radar wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Not that all tinnies are heavy ? But its a red flag to be checked !
How may tinnies do you need before it classed as heavy.
My thoughts only anything I can not carry in one hand for 50 metres and lift to waist high is heavy.
Eg 20 litres of water equals about 20kgs, go for run.
Quick chat with Mr Google says 10' tinnie is around 48kg, 12' is around 57kg and 14' around 61kg. That's another passenger, and that weight would be straight over the rear axle on most vehicles, so a "No No" on twin cabs and many SUVs (hate that terminology) with their lightweight rear axles. And then you've got the weight of the flash mechanism that many use to get the boat onto the roof. Cheers

yes but what about the boat loader

Whenarewethere · Guru

TRB77 wrote:
Any knowledge of vans being weighed as overloaded.

OP hasn't been back.

Either he has had a coronary event with the subsequent posts or will have a coronary event on his travels!