Caravan weight

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 19:28

ThreadID: 38912 Views:3236 Replies:3 FollowUps:9

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Richard Kovac

Hi all
Just got a new toy to weigh the caravan hitch

a Multi-weigh

Just a bottle jack with a calibrated pressure gauge fitted to it's base

works on F=PxA

works well

Richard

Can also weigh the approx weight of the van just weigh in 3 places and add together

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Reply By: Bware (Tweed Valley) - Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 20:54

Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 20:54

Hi Richard,
Sounds like a handy piece of equipment. I don't tow as yet but it is on the agenda.
There was a recent post about towing weights, TARE, GVM etc and it seems a lot more confusing than it needs to be.

I also read about visiting the local weighbridge which seems like extra work to me; either a detour on the start of a trip, or a the effort of packing for a trip just to go and weigh the damn thing.

AnswerID: 201486

Reply By: Kiwi Kia - Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 20:57

Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 20:57

Do the instructions say anything about being on a level surface when you weigh the caravan?

AnswerID: 201488

Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (NT) - Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 21:27

Saturday, Oct 28, 2006 at 21:27

You only have to chase it down the driveway a couple of times before you work that out for yourself hahahaha.

Cheers
John

FollowupID: 460816

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 01:53

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 01:53

Yes

FollowupID: 460873

Follow Up By: Kiwi Kia - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 06:19

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 06:19

Jiarna if the van is not EXACTLY level you can not take multi readings and then add them together to get a total weight. Even a very small deviation makes a big differance in the total, ask any truck driver that has been done for overloading!

FollowupID: 460875

Follow Up By: bob&loz - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 17:57

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 17:57

measuring on three points will not even be close if you do not suspend the van completely at these EXACT points for all readings, (ie no wheels on ground)replacing the jacks with the gauge one at a time and having the gauge hold the van at the same height of the ground. easier to go to weighbridge
Bob

FollowupID: 460960

Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (NT) - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:17

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:17

Yeh it's OK I know the physics - just trying to be funny. Personally I go to the weighbridge, as you say it's a lot easier not to mention a lot more accurate.

Cheers
John

FollowupID: 460966

Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (NT) - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:20

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:20

But I reckon the new toy that started this post would be good to do a rough check of the weight on the hitch while loading the caravan/trailer/CT. As a recent coroner's case suggested, too little weight on the hitch can be deadly, so an easy way to check it (apart from the 'grunt' test) would be good.

Cheers
John

FollowupID: 460967

Follow Up By: alexk - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:26

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:26

Hi John,

Where are the weighbridges around sydney? Are there many and how much does it cost?

Cheers,
Alex

FollowupID: 460968

Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (NT) - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:35

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:35

Can't help you there Alex. I live in Hermannsburg NT, and the nearest weighbridge to me is in Alice Springs. Cost depends on how busy they are and who is on duty, seeing as how I'm a local LOL.

Try this public weighbridge link

Cheers
LOL

FollowupID: 460975

Follow Up By: Kiwi Kia - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:46

Sunday, Oct 29, 2006 at 18:46

No problem Jiarna, that's the way I took it. Just thought I had better pass the comment in case some other people watching may have thought that this was an accurate method of weighing.

FollowupID: 460978