Do You Weigh Your Motorhome ?

Teutone said:
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.
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Sounds like proof to me, they know their business. Although I don't know how much an inaccuracy it would cause, but I suppose it can be more critical in motorsport. It does give me some peace of mind though to know that my setup weighs me in at under the limit, so I think they are well worth the purchase.
I suppose the other way of doing it would be to get a dry weight for your vehicle as near as possible, (almost empty fuel, no passengers, no water) and then estimate the weight of your load, as long as you under estimate!
 
Robmac said:
Sounds like proof to me, they know their business. Although I don't know how much an inaccuracy it would cause, but I suppose it can be more critical in motorsport. It does give me some peace of mind though to know that my setup weighs me in at under the limit, so I think they are well worth the purchase.
I suppose the other way of doing it would be to get a dry weight for your vehicle as near as possible, (almost empty fuel, no passengers, no water) and then estimate the weight of your load, as long as you under estimate!
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I toying to get one. It's not too much money IMO. We just bought the Motorhome so it's empty and I want to get it weighed next week. Would be good to have the REICH scale then to compare on the spot.
 
Teutone said:
I toying to get one. It's not too much money IMO. We just bought the Motorhome so it's empty and I want to get it weighed next week. Would be good to have the REICH scale then to compare on the spot.
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I think they are worth it just for the peace of mind and to get accurate axle weights for calculating your tyre pressures and hopefully a more comfortable ride rather than relying on the max.van pressures that the manufacturers recommend.
Dave
 
Teutone said:
I toying to get one. It's not too much money IMO. We just bought the Motorhome so it's empty and I want to get it weighed next week. Would be good to have the REICH scale then to compare on the spot.
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Looking at your profile, we live in the same county! Maybe could arrange to meet at a weighbridge and you can try my Reich? Or you can try it without paying for a weighbridge if you prefer. (I am away for the weekend, but often available in the week).
 
Robmac said:
Looking at your profile, we live in the same county! Maybe could arrange to meet at a weighbridge and you can try my Reich? Or you can try it without paying for a weighbridge if you prefer. (I am away for the weekend, but often available in the week).
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Thanks for your generous offer. Will PM shortly
 
I can fully understand that if there are any liquids on board then all must wheels must be level as the load will shift, so the entry (and or exit) to the weighbridge must be at the same height as the weighbridge itself. Maybe that can cause the errors? :idea: Or do moments and all that come in to it?
 
yeoblade said:
I can fully understand that if there are any liquids on board then all must wheels must be level as the load will shift, so the entry (and or exit) to the weighbridge must be at the same height as the weighbridge itself. Maybe that can cause the errors? :idea: Or do moments and all that come in to it?
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Quite possibly!

I was talking to a VOSA chap recently, and he said that usually (but not always) they would allow you to be up to 5% overweight without taking any action, I have found them generally to be fairly reasonable people!

As long as I can be fairly sure that my scales will keep me within a few Kg of the guidelines, I am fairly happy.
 
Robmac said:
Quite possibly!

I was talking to a VOSA chap recently, and he said that usually (but not always) they would allow you to be up to 5% overweight without taking any action, I have found them generally to be fairly reasonable people!

As long as I can be fairly sure that my scales will keep me within a few Kg of the guidelines, I am fairly happy.
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That's a lot, 175Kg at least for most MHs :eek::eek:
 
Robmac said:
That's what i thought, I think they are after the commercials that run a tonne or so overweight more than the lesser offenders.
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I believe we can stay within the 3.5t of the total weight. I am just concerned about the rear axle weight with the scooter in the garage. Would not like to upgrade to 3.85t for various reasons. Speed limit abroad for a start and other restrictions like parking etc.
 
Robmac said:
Quite possibly!

I was talking to a VOSA chap recently, and he said that usually (but not always) they would allow you to be up to 5% overweight without taking any action, I have found them generally to be fairly reasonable people!

As long as I can be fairly sure that my scales will keep me within a few Kg of the guidelines, I am fairly happy.
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same in france ....if your motorhome is in good nick they normally just rap your knucles for 5%
 
I did notice that the VOSA? Trading Standards, weigh scale at Brenley Corner A2/M2 is not on the level it has a slope up to it and a bit level and then ramps up a bit more,
When an artic was weighed it pulled away and the cab rose right up when going over the bar, then carried forwards making the 2nd axle push down harder as the front was still rearing up as it went over the scale, the trailer was OK axle wise. This gave a very light front axle and a grossly heavy 2nd axle which they said was a nick, When this was pointed out they backed down over it. BUT the same bloody axle weigher is still in use now.
Another point was I though ONLY a Policeman in uniform can stop you on the road. Not a noddy man from Trading Standards or VOSA they are only an agency run as a business and have no rights or privileges to wave you down on the road?????????????????
 
GWAYGWAY said:
I did notice that the VOSA? Trading Standards, weigh scale at Brenley Corner A2/M2 is not on the level it has a slope up to it and a bit level and then ramps up a bit more,
When an artic was weighed it pulled away and the cab rose right up when going over the bar, then carried forwards making the 2nd axle push down harder as the front was still rearing up as it went over the scale, the trailer was OK axle wise. This gave a very light front axle and a grossly heavy 2nd axle which they said was a nick, When this was pointed out they backed down over it. BUT the same bloody axle weigher is still in use now.
Another point was I though ONLY a Policeman in uniform can stop you on the road. Not a noddy man from Trading Standards or VOSA they are only an agency run as a business and have no rights or privileges to wave you down on the road?????????????????
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VOSA were given the power to pull vehicles for checks some years ago around 2003 I believe and frequently do. Sections 107 & 108 of the Highway Code say VOSA officers and Highways Agency Officers have powers to stop vehicles and it is an offence not to comply with their directions.
These also have the powers to issue FPN.
So my advise would be to pull over if requested or the 'noddy men' as you call them will probably have the police stopping you further down the road.
 
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Obanboy666 said:
VOSA were given the power to pull vehicles for checks some years ago around 2003 I believe and frequently do. Sections 107 & 108 of the Highway Code say VOSA officers and Highways Agency Officers have powers to stop vehicles and it is an offence not to comply with their directions.
These also have the powers to issue FPN.
So my advise would be to pull over if requested or the 'noddy men' as you call them will probably have the police stopping you further down the road.
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Correct, but if you notice a VOSA vehicle behind you on the motorway, surely if you are driving at the speed limit, they are not allowed to exceed the speed limit to catch up with you and overtake?

Last time I was stopped, they overtook me and flashed a 'Follow me' sign in their rear window.

This would not apply on a dual carriageway as we are restricted to 60 MPH if over 3050Kg and the VOSA vehicle can do 70.
 
Teutone said:
I believe we can stay within the 3.5t of the total weight. I am just concerned about the rear axle weight with the scooter in the garage. Would not like to upgrade to 3.85t for various reasons. Speed limit abroad for a start and other restrictions like parking etc.
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This is probably why VOSA allow the 5% discretion. Because our vehicles are safely upgradeable, which I believe is only a paper exercise without inspection.

I probably will upgrade mine at some point though, as I am only 3200 Kg, so I can upgrade to 3500 without any negatives.
 
Robmac said:
This is probably why VOSA allow the 5% discretion. Because our vehicles are safely upgradeable, which I believe is only a paper exercise without inspection.

I probably will upgrade mine at some point though, as I am only 3200 Kg, so I can upgrade to 3500 without any negatives.
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How easy is it to upgrade ? My Swift has a paltry payload of 372kg and when I think about it I have a satellite on the roof, a Fiamma awning and carry a spare tyre. That's probably used up 100kg before I put anything in the motorhome !
 
Obanboy666 said:
How easy is it to upgrade ? My Swift has a paltry payload of 372kg and when I think about it I have a satellite on the roof, a Fiamma awning and carry a spare tyre. That's probably used up 100kg before I put anything in the motorhome !
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That's the weight of four people. No water and waste. No luggage, No tools or utensils, No food, No clothing. I have no idea how many seat-belts you have but some of these manufacturers should be held responsible for the vehicles being overloaded if the owner is only carrying what can reasonable be expected for the use the vehicle was designed and sold for.:mad2:

Richard
 
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