Reich Caravan Weight Controls

[mauron]

Does anyone own one of these gauges? I have just purchased one and used it this weekend to check the weights of my caravan (1330kg weighbridge based). I have had readings of between 595 to 630kg on one axle and 600 to 640kg on the other (nosewight between 72 and 84kg).

I bought the thing to save going to a weighbridge but don't not so sure now.

I was told that the police used these gauges to check caravans weights, does anyone know if this is the case?

 

[Lutz]

How did you arrive at the different readings at the same location? Did you take a reading, drive off, back on and read again or were they two readings without moving the caravan (i.e. just shaking the 'van in between, then allowing it to come to rest before taking the second reading)?

 

[Lutz]

How did you arrive at the different readings at the same location? Did you take a reading, drive off, back on and read again or were they two readings without moving the caravan (i.e. just shaking the 'van in between, then allowing it to come to rest before taking the second reading)?

When I was stopped by the police once for a roadside check they used different equipment with a much larger footprint (about 1ft square)

 

[antrimboy]

I bought one of these recently, and found exactly the same thing. After a bit of experimenting, I'm fairly convinced now that the discrepencies are due to the speed that I was going over it.I've an automatic car, which makes it that wee bit awkward to control a slow speed over the weight control, but I've now discovered that if I use two short lengths of wood about, roughly 6 or 7" wide, and 1" thick, and one about 6" shorter than the other, and place them so that I can get both wheels on them, with the weight control lying adjacent to the shorter one, I can now get my car/caravan up on them and actually stop the wheel on top of the weight control momentarily, and I can get a much better reading.

Incidentally, I find my control weighing approx. 4-5% higher than it should.(Compared it by putting car on a weighbridge).

Sorry if this has been a bit long-winded!

 

[Lutz]

Measuring weight dynamically, i.e. without stopping over the unit, is bound to result in fluctuations in readings. As you have experienced, repeatability is improved a lot by static measurement.

I am surprised you have difficulty in controlling the speed so as to be able to come to a stop exactly at the right moment. My experience with an automatic is that, by using the brake and the accelerator at the same time, it is possible to inch the car with incredible accuracy. I use the same method to align towball and coupling when hitching up the caravan.

 

[antrimboy]

Hi Lutz - I understand exactly what you are saying, but it's just that little bit more awkward getting it stopped exactly at the right moment after hauling it up onto the weight control.Inching it forward from a "level" position (hence the pieces of wood)makes the job a lot easier.

 

[mauron]

Thanks for your views guys,

I actually used the motor mover on my caravan to "drive slowly over the gauge" as directed in the instructions. I'll try your method Eddie and see how I get on.

 

[Mel_5114916]

Thanks for your views guys,

I actually used the motor mover on my caravan to "drive slowly over the gauge" as directed in the instructions. I'll try your method Eddie and see how I get on.

The Reich Caravan weight controle is the standard use for roadside checks here in Belgium and Holland