MRO question

[Buckman]

Just to add mud to the waters, I've weighed a couple of 'vans on a weighbridge and their accuracy was plus/minus 20kg. . So that could be a 40kg tolerance. On a medium/small caravan that could be 25% of your payload.. I may be overthinking this and I'd be happy to be corrected.

Weighbridges are designed for weighing in tons so can have up to a 5% tolerance. 20kg is nothing to worry about and acceptable.

 

[borderbilly]

What's a weighbridge? Not many up here.

 

[Buckman]

What's a weighbridge? Not many up here.

A weighbridge is where you take a crate of whisky to weigh the crate to see how many crates you can get into your car and still stay within the legal limit! 🤣 🤣

 

[Hutch]

What's a weighbridge? Not many up here.

Scrap metal dealers will have one.

 

[GaryB]

What's a weighbridge? Not many up here.

Same here. All I do is upgrade the MTPLM as far as possible and weigh everything that goes into the caravan. I'd love a set of the Reich scales but have read some reports of inaccuracy when being used.

 

[Dustydog]

Same here. All I do is upgrade the MTPLM as far as possible and weigh everything that goes into the caravan. I'd love a set of the Reich scales but have read some reports of inaccuracy when being used.

Gary,
I have a 15 year old TA Reich gauge. Used once a year it it is still within a +/- 1kg with the bathroom scales. Calibrated? No but I know they are both acceptably accurate😉

 

[Hutch]

Same here. All I do is upgrade the MTPLM as far as possible and weigh everything that goes into the caravan. I'd love a set of the Reich scales but have read some reports of inaccuracy when being used.

I have a set, of the roll over Reich and when I have checked the car, all 4 wheels , and then rechecked they are within 2%. So I am happy, done my bit not to overload the caravan.
My van cannot be upgraded. Unfortunately. Max on the axle is 1650 kg.

 

[GaryB]

There was a post on here or over on CT where someone purchased the Reich gauge and found it was miles out which put me off. I suppose it could well have been how he was using it though. With UK payloads being so tight even a weighbridge tolerance band could you see you unknowingly overweight.

I'll re-visit the Reich scales.

 

[Hutch]

There was a post on here or over on CT where someone purchased the Reich gauge and found it was miles out which put me off. I suppose it could well have been how he was using it though. With UK payloads being so tight even a weighbridge tolerance band could you see you unknowingly overweight.

I'll re-visit the Reich scales.

At first I could not get the Reich scales to work properly, but with patience and driving slowly over the scales they do work. There is now a ramp available which would help a lot with the readings,

 

[Mr Plodd]

If pulled in onto a weighbridge, and you are found to be over ANY of the limits pertaining to your outfit you will NOT be allowed to continue until your outfit complies.

Depending on how over weight you are you might get "Words of advice" or you might get reported for summons to a Magistrates court. Fines for overweight do tend to be pretty punitive!

If your unit cannot be configured to be within its limits by moving stuff around that can then result in equipment being removed from the outfit. The Police VOSA etc have no requirement to ensure the safety of anything so removed, so it could just end up being left at the weighbridge, its security remains yiur responsibility at all times. (yes I have seen that happen more than once) Once the outfit is legal you will be permitted to continue on your way.

Don't underestimate the seriousness of being overweight. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can also work out to be very expensive in regards to fines. So it pays to know what your unit weighs at all times.

There is little point in carrying a weight ticket with you as, like an MOT its only valid/relevant at the time it was weighed. The ONLY thing that matters is what the weighbridge shows when your outfit is placed upon it. Don't forget any passengers etc will be required to remain in the vehicle during the weighing process. In addition dont lose sight of the fact that water weighs 1kg per litre, so a full aqua roll weighs 40kg+ (do you have an onboard fresh water tank with water in it??
If in doubt drain down everything prior to venturing onto the road.