Do You Weigh Your Motorhome ?

[mark61]

yes thanks but I need to know what weight I am aiming at :rulez:are they european rulez.

edit on reading further my maximum weight is the axle weights added together, is this correct?

No, your maximum weight is the GVW (was it 3400Kg in your case)
The sum of the axle weights is slightly more then the GVW.

It is possible to overload an axle (usually rear) and still be within the GVW.

You are aiming to be below all the weights quoted from plate.

The rules are European now, but we have always had our own, so no blaming the Europeans here, lol

 

[Wooie1958]

So mr knowledgeable wooie
My alko plate says
gvw I presume gross vehicle weight = 3400
gtw I have no idea unless its train weight or trailer weight = 4800

axle 1= 1690
axle 2= 1900 added together is = 3590

So question how many pork chops can I carry in the shed and if the gtw is not the trailer weight I can pull, where do I find that, also why do the axle weights come to more than the gross vehicle weight :beer::beer::nicethread::danger:

You rang M`Lord ........... LOL

GVW ( Gross Vehicle Weight ) is 3400, that is the maximum weight for the vehicle on it`s own.

GTW ( Gross Train Weight ) is 4800, that is the maximum weight allowed for the vehicle and a trailer when added together.

So when fully loaded with the van at 3400 you can tow a trailer up to and including 1400.

The axle weights add up to more than the gross weight so you have a little flexibility when loading.

If you take the rear up to the maximum of 1900 then the front one is lowered to 1500 which then would total 3400.

Likewise, if you load the front up to the maximum of 1690 then the rear lowers to 1710.


P.S.

All the above are Kg`s to save any confusion.

 

[antiqueman]

will get it weighed soon

I am quite sure I will need to upgrade vin if the shed will take it, it does work hard for its pleasure of having me :sucks:

Someone I know in a van pulling caravan got fined for no tacho and had to leave caravan behind also get towbar removed from van fine was £800 I think.

 

[Mertom]

Weighing your van

I have used weighbridges but one down our way will only do total weight so I bought one of those Reich portable scales it weighs each wheel individually and gives you your axle totals it works really well and I can now distribute loads evenly without overloading either axle.It was about £170 but well worth it for peace of mind

 

[Obanboy666]

I have used weighbridges but one down our way will only do total weight so I bought one of those Reich portable scales it weighs each wheel individually and gives you your axle totals it works really well and I can now distribute loads evenly without overloading either axle.It was about £170 but well worth it for peace of mind

Looked at them after seeing your post.
I will check my front and rear axle weights tomoss to determine whether I would need the 1,000kg or the more expensive 1,500kg model.
Are they easy to use and accurate versus a weigh bridge ?

 

[Mertom]

Reich

I bought the bigger one as my van is 1650 & 2240 they are dead easy to use as long as you have a flat surface you just drive over it with each wheel the instructions are pretty straight forward.you can set it for three different axle configurations.
The good thing is you can take it away with you so when you load up with all that plonk to bring home you will be legal I have found better than weigh bridge as they have told me that it's not to accurate when only doing one axle at a time as it depends whether you park up centre of axles and that's hard without measuring as you do it

 

[Obanboy666]

I bought the bigger one as my van is 1650 & 2240 they are dead easy to use as long as you have a flat surface you just drive over it with each wheel the instructions are pretty straight forward.you can set it for three different axle configurations.
The good thing is you can take it away with you so when you load up with all that plonk to bring home you will be legal I have found better than weigh bridge as they have told me that it's not to accurate when only doing one axle at a time as it depends whether you park up centre of axles and that's hard without measuring as you do it

Many thanks, regardless of what my axle weights are I may go for the bigger one which will future proof it if I go for a bigger motorhome in the future.

 

[Val54]

I bought the bigger one as my van is 1650 & 2240 they are dead easy to use as long as you have a flat surface you just drive over it with each wheel the instructions are pretty straight forward.you can set it for three different axle configurations.
The good thing is you can take it away with you so when you load up with all that plonk to bring home you will be legal I have found better than weigh bridge as they have told me that it's not to accurate when only doing one axle at a time as it depends whether you park up centre of axles and that's hard without measuring as you do it

Our local weigbridge operator also warned us that the individual axle readings would not be accurate so we invested in a Reich, they come up on Fleabay from time to time. Really easy to use, I would add that it is worth weighing each wheel a couple of times and then taking the average as the speed at which you drive over it does affect the reading by up to 10kg. It has allowed us to reduce the tyre pressures by 10-15 psi as well.
Dave

 

[Obanboy666]

CNF Outdoors have the 1500kg model @ £159.00. Just waiting for a callback regarding if they have stock.
It's the cheapest I have found in the UK.

 

[yeoblade]

Our local weigbridge operator also warned us that the individual axle readings would not be accurate / snip

That's interesting, so the sum of the 2 halfs does not equal the whole ? Why is that? could some cleaver person explain.:bow:

 

[Robmac]

I have used weighbridges but one down our way will only do total weight so I bought one of those Reich portable scales it weighs each wheel individually and gives you your axle totals it works really well and I can now distribute loads evenly without overloading either axle.It was about £170 but well worth it for peace of mind

I too have one of these (The larger one). When I use mine, I place a piece of wood the same thickness as the scales under each of the other 3 wheels. This ensures that when you drive onto the scales, the other wheels are at the same level.

If you do not do this, the van will be at a slight tilt, and fuel and water in the tanks will flow backwards/sideways thus making the front lighter and the back heavier during weighing, and vice versa. Hard to explain, but hopefully you get what I mean?

Have you compared your results with the weights given by a public weighing machine? I haven't, but must get around to it.

 

[Teutone]

I have used weighbridges but one down our way will only do total weight so I bought one of those Reich portable scales it weighs each wheel individually and gives you your axle totals it works really well and I can now distribute loads evenly without overloading either axle.It was about £170 but well worth it for peace of mind

wonder if these are any good. Waage für Reisemobil, Caravanwaage, Gewichtskontrolle, Reich Waage, bis 1500 Kg | eBay

 

[Robmac]

wonder if these are any good. Waage für Reisemobil, Caravanwaage, Gewichtskontrolle, Reich Waage, bis 1500 Kg | eBay

Looks exactly the same as the Reich.

On second glance I see it is a Reich. As previously discussed, they are very easy to use and supposedly accurate. I need to calibrate mine against a weighbridge.

 

[Val54]

That's interesting, so the sum of the 2 halfs does not equal the whole ? Why is that? could some cleaver person explain.:bow:

Don't profess to be the clever person but I think it's to do with how far onto the weigbridge the front axle is. Presumably the further on the more central weight is counted by the sensor, if you are weighed with the front axle only just on, then it will weigh lighter. The total weight will still be correct but it is the split between the axle measurements that may be inaccurate.

The German eBay item is the same model as ours.
Dave

 

[Teutone]

Don't profess to be the clever person but I think it's to do with how far onto the weigbridge the front axle is. Presumably the further on the more central weight is counted by the sensor, if you are weighed with the front axle only just on, then it will weigh lighter. The total weight will still be correct but it is the split between the axle measurements that may be inaccurate.

The German eBay item is the same model as ours.
Dave

Thanks I didn't realise that is a REICH

 

[Teutone]

Don't profess to be the clever person but I think it's to do with how far onto the weigbridge the front axle is. Presumably the further on the more central weight is counted by the sensor, if you are weighed with the front axle only just on, then it will weigh lighter. The total weight will still be correct but it is the split between the axle measurements that may be inaccurate.

The German eBay item is the same model as ours.
Dave

I struggle with this a little bit as well to be honest.
With the scales under one side only, it looks like a long lever to me. I think Robmac's approach with the wooden board is quite good. At least you take the gradient left/right out of the measurement

I try to imagine a 1000kg 1000mm long log. If I put this log on a scale right in the middle the scale will show 1000kg.
But what if I weigh the log at the left end with the right end on the ground and vice versa?
Will this show twice 500kg? I have mu doubts.
Maybe in the case of the motorhome / caravan it neglectable and if stayed a few kgs below the absolut max will be sufficient.
But anyways, to have some sort of idea how heavy one's vehicle is, is better than no idea at all.

 

[Val54]

I struggle with this a little bit as well to be honest.
With the scales under one side only, it looks like a long lever to me. I think Robmac's approach with the wooden board is quite good. At least you take the gradient left/right out of the measurement

I try to imagine a 1000kg 1000mm long log. If I put this log on a scale right in the middle the scale will show 1000kg.
But what if I weigh the log at the left end with the right end on the ground and vice versa?
Will this show twice 500kg? I have mu doubts.
Maybe in the case of the motorhome / caravan it neglectable and if stayed a few kgs below the absolut max will be sufficient.
But anyways, to have some sort of idea how heavy one's vehicle is, is better than no idea at all.

The instructions that come with the Reich recommend using a plank to level the axle being weighed, Robmac has gone one further by levelling the whole van.
Dave

 

[Robmac]

The instructions that come with the Reich recommend using a plank to level the axle being weighed, Robmac has gone one further by levelling the whole van.
Dave

Indeed, because of the weight of liquid mainly. However, I think Teutone is also correct about the lever effect, weights will vary if a different fulcrum is used.

 

[Teutone]

Indeed, because of the weight of liquid mainly. However, I think Teutone is also correct about the lever effect, weights will vary if a different fulcrum is used.

I dabble a little bit with motorsport and when a car is "corner weighed" for optimal balance, there are always FOUR scales used linked to a central brain. If the floor isn't absolute flat and level, the readings can be inacurate even when using this type of scale.

 

[Val54]

I struggle with this a little bit as well to be honest.
With the scales under one side only, it looks like a long lever to me. I think Robmac's approach with the wooden board is quite good. At least you take the gradient left/right out of the measurement

I try to imagine a 1000kg 1000mm long log. If I put this log on a scale right in the middle the scale will show 1000kg.
But what if I weigh the log at the left end with the right end on the ground and vice versa?
Will this show twice 500kg? I have mu doubts.
Maybe in the case of the motorhome / caravan it neglectable and if stayed a few kgs below the absolut max will be sufficient.
But anyways, to have some sort of idea how heavy one's vehicle is, is better than no idea at all.

Whatever the science is, the inaccuracy of weighing by axles is recognised by Trading Standards. Public weighbridges are not allowed to issue tickets for "double weighing" where goods will be sold, ie 15 tons of sand, scrap metal or whatever. Double weighing happens when a large vehicle that won't fit on the weighplate, artic etc , is weighed separately by front and back axles and then the results added together. Most weighbridges are only designed to weigh the whole vehicle with and without load.
Dave