Friday, Nov 09, 2007 at 22:03
It is not much good finding your tow ball weight unless you know the total weight. To get your van weights:
1. remove your WDH
2. drive across the weighbridge until your tugs rear wheels are clear of the
bridge
3. have the operator weigh the van - this will give you the axle weight
4. uncouple the van with the jockey wheel on the
bridge
5. get another weighbridge figure - this will give you the total weight
6. subtract the axle weight from the total weight - this gives the ball weight.
Hopefully your ball weight will be between 8 & 15% of the total weight and not heavier than the tow vehicles maximum permitted tow ball weight.
Some people will refer to the weights obtained in steps 3 & 5 as the GTM and ATM. However this is not technically correct. The GTM & ATM are the defined weights that are stamped on the compliance plate and are figures that the van when loaded must not exceed.
The Maytow weighing jacks are OK to obtain your vans ball weight. However if you wish to weigh the axle weight, the jacks must be positioned under the tyres - the closer you shift them to the centre of the van the higher the indicated figure will be.
PeterD
AnswerID:
270992