Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 22:25
Look in the yellow pages under public weigh bridges (or similar) to locate some and give them a bell. The prices should be in the $15 - $25 range.
When you take your van to the bridge, remove any WDH you have on it. Drive over the bridge to a point where only the van
wheels are on the bridge but you can uncouple the van with the jockey wheel on the bridge.
Weigh the van with only the
wheels on the bridge. Then uncouple the van (there is no need to remove the chains if there is no tension on them) and weigh again with both the main and jockey
wheels on the van. The first weight is the axle group weight. The last weight is the total weight of the van. If you subtract the first weight from the second you have the ball weight - which should be around 10% of the total weight (on a loaded van.)
If you are weighing your van loaded, the first weight should not exceed the GTM figure on the compliance plate. The second weight should not exceed the ATM figure on the compliance plate. If either of the two weights from the bridge exceed their respective ATM or GTM figures then the van is overloaded. You have two options, remove some loading so when you reweigh the van it will comply or have the van upgraded.
I use the local concrete recycling establishment. They do not charge me for the service if they are not busy, unless I require a certificate from them. They just call out the figures and I write them down. There may be someone around that will do the same for you or charge you less if you tell them you do not require a certificate.
PeterD
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