Public Weighbridge

[MikeyW]

Hi All

I've been considering taking our van to a public weighbridge. I've been quite careful about what I've put in the van but would just like to double check the loaded weight. Does anybody know how I go about using the weighbridge? i.e. can you just turn up, pay some money and get weighed or is it by prior arrangement? I can't seem to find any in the Yellow Pages, to get a phone number. Any advise would be appreciated.

Mike

 

[Robtel]

In a similar position to you Mike. Despite checking phone book and web search could find no trace of a public weighbridge. Problem solved by phoning local Trading Standards office who gave me details of three public weigh bridges close by. A phone call to them directly then confirmed price etc.

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Try your local refuse tip.

At my local tip in Brum there is no charge.

But becareful of the weigh bridge its self, if there is any water on it 1 ltr of water weighs 1kg and they are designed to weigh large lorrys so your vans weight will only be approx.

 

[Angus1]

It wouldn`t make any difference Graham, as the weighbridges are zero`d either automatically or manually to take into account any water/snow.

All operatives are aware of this as well as they have hold a certificate in order to operate a public (calibrated) bridge.

The best are accurate to within +/- 10kgs.

 

[MikeyW]

Cheers folks for the info. Managed to find one near to where the caravan is stored and it's only a fiver, very cheap for peace of mind.

Mike

 

[ProfJohnL]

Before using a weighbridge, check that they will give you a certificate of the measurement, and it must contain the limits of accuracy and more correctly the uncertainty of the measurement.

Without such statements the result will have no authority.

 

[MikeyW]

Thanks John

I wasn't really looking for an official document just peace of mind. If I was pulled over by the police who wanted to weigh my van at least I would know I was within the limits, so to speak.

Mike

 

[Lutz]

I think what John was getting at was that it makes little sense to have your caravan weighed on a weighbridge of unknown accuracy. If you get pulled over by the police and they find come to a different result than your weighbridge, you would have little defence in a court of law unless you could prove that your figure was right and their's wrong.

 

[Angus1]

In order to be a `Public Weighbridge` in the U.K and charge for their services, they have to undergo periodic testing and calibration by Trading Standards.

This is essentially like an MOT for your car, it proves that it met the required standard on the day the test was performed.

If you are pulled by Plod and the two readings differ his is correct unless you challenge his weight and PROVE it to be inaccurate (that is, prove their weighbridge is inaccurate or the weighing procedure was flawed and produced an inaccurate result). Otherwise you have no defence in law.

Besides, what would stop someone weighing their outfit empty then loading it up at a later date only to flash a previously taken weigh ticket in front of plods nose?

If you weigh your outfit, you will find out what it weighs at that particular time. Hopefully it gives you confidence and peace of mind. It won`t give you anything else.

 

[MikeyW]

Thanks for the replies guys

If the 'periodic testing and calibration' by Trading Standards is applied to all Public Weighbridges then surely if the police randomly weigh my van then it should show a similar weight to any certificate I might have, taking into account any shown inaccuracy's, unless they use an illegal weighbridge, maybe they use their own which isn't calibrated! Obviously it would be totally pointless to load the van up after the event, you'll only be fooling yourself.

I wasn't thinking about breaking any laws by weighing the van, I'm sure I'm way under the MTPLM but wanted a second opinion, nothing more.

Thanks again

Mike

 

[arkay]

I had trouble finding a weighbridge in Fife and came across the link www.chrishodgetrucks.co.uk/ - look under Essential info and you'll find a UK directory of Public Weighbridges - there are lots of them!

Robert