Right Weight Mobile Caravan Weighing Service

03/03/2023

Anyone else thinking about their next holiday .. Caravanning for us. 👍☀️🏊‍♂️🚣‍♀️✈️

01/03/2023

Perfect idea for the hot weather - hope you're staying cool. ☀️🤿🏊‍♂️

27/02/2023

And it's only Monday ....

23/02/2023

Have a great weekend...

22/02/2023

Caravan Safety and Towing Workshops - ask the experts - 19 March 2023

If you have a caravan this is definitely worth attending.
Give us a call on 0493 556 505 to book an appointment to weigh your car & caravan
Knowledge = travelling safe

Tow a caravan or want to? Join us for one of our FREE 2 hour workshops to help keep those who tow, safe on the road.

17/02/2023

Are you ready for the weekend or next holiday -

15/02/2023

oops. double check everything before heading off.

13/02/2023

different spin on a caravan slide out.

10/02/2023

the feeling when leaving for your next caravan adventure.

08/02/2023

For some this is all you have to pack when going on holidays.

06/02/2023

Wonder if he's weighed his caravan and tow vehicle?? lol.

04/02/2023

Slowly getting back into swing of things after holidays and surviving week 1 back at school. Can’t wait to get the food van back into the swing again once we complete a few repairs. 😍. 1st custom cake for 2023! Client giving me full control of type and decoration. 🤞 they love it!

03/02/2023

Your tow ball weight is an important part of your car & caravan's weight compliance.
We were out in the warm weather this morning weighing a couple's brand new Snowy River caravan. Wishing Andrew & Jodie safe travels as they explore our beautiful country. 🌞

02/02/2023

Get your Caravan & Car weighed
We're back from helping our Gunnedah, Tamworth & Armidale customers and hitting the ground running.
Give us a call on 0493 556 505 to book your appointment so you can check your weights and travel safe.

01/02/2023

Another great post by Truck Friendly - caravan road safety program

HOW TO CORRECTLY WEIGH YOUR CARAVAN OR HORSE FLOAT RIG.
THERE ARE MANY DOING IT WRONG!

Having just had my new rig weighted with the help of Jason from Weight Safe in Hervey Bay Qld and talking with other scales company operators, I have head some horror stories from customers and from within the industry on what some are doing incorrectly when weighing a caravan.
More on my Weight Check weigh soon in an upcoming article.

I have also been asked many times about the accuracy of the scales units that are available on the internet for measuring caravan weights. My main concern with the cheap scales is the accuracy of them, and how they are used by inexperienced owners resulting in readings that can be far from accurate in many cases.

Here are a few tips on how to accurately weigh your van and get a reliable reading.

Truck Friendly caravan road safety program posts a list of mobile scales operators each month on our page. While this list is growing, not all have been trained in how to do it correctly. So, ask the questions on what service you will receive.

Caravan social media forums often see photos or discussions on caravans being weighed on weighbridges and mobile scales. Some are done incorrectly with very inaccurate readings resulting.

I have consulted two of Australia’s most experienced mobile scales operators to get their thoughts.

Jeff DeArt of Check Weight based in Newcastle NSW was one of the first full time mobile operators in Australia and has now franchised his business with another trained operator starting in Western Sydney.

https://checkweight.com.au/

Jeff also offers a comprehensive online course on caravan weights. https://checkweight.com.au/online-course-lp/?ref=46

Dave Lewis is based in Brisbane and head of the Weigh Check franchise group of 4 trained operators. He has developed software for his operators, and others to provide comprehensive reporting for customers.

Dave also presents at the popular ‘Talking Towing’ sessions for Caravanning Queensland at expos and other events.

http://www.mobilecaravanweighing.com.au/

Dave reports:- “ I have counted around 60 businesses now around the country and I would like to think they are all providing the same level of professionalism as we do, but unfortunately this may not be the case.

Some of the things I have heard or been told about are:
- I just do it for pocket money while I’m traveling around
- I don’t worry about all that report stuff, I’ll just give you a printout.”

Jeff DeAth recommends that you check the web site or social media of any operator before booking. Ask them, or look for, things like how long have they been in business and their experience? Are their scales from and approved NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) supplier?

What services do they offer, do they supply a comprehensive report or just the printout, and when were the scales, both tow ball and pads, calibrated.?

There are cheap scales advertised that will only weigh one wheel at a time. These can be notoriously inaccurate and, in my opinion, not generally worth the money. I will explain why later in this article.

Dave Lewis provides this in-site into the caravan weighing process.

“There are six basic metrics of a caravan and tow vehicle that need to be measured for weight compliance. There is also a requirement to check the axle capacities of the tow vehicle, making it eight metrics in total.

All state and federal transport authorities will check all these ratings when intercepting caravan owners for a weight compliance check. Recently in Queensland, the Qld Police Service in conjunction with Transport and Main Roads Inspectors, conducted a four-day operation intercepting caravans, trailer boats, horse floats and all kinds of trailers.

The Qld Police Service firstly undertook licence checks and drug and alcohol testing, then the transport inspectors provided a full weight compliance check of the intercepted vehicles.

These checks included the following compliances ratings:

CARAVAN: TBM (Tow ball Mass), GTM (Gross Trailer Mass), ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass)

TOW VEHICLE: BTC (Braked Towing Capacity), GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),

GCM (Gross Combination Mass), Front and Rear Axle Mass.

TMR Qld use eight-wheel pads for their caravan compliance checks. When weighing a tandem axle caravan and vehicle, TMR firstly measure the weights on the vehicle’s axles and the caravans’ axles at the same time, which provides them with the combination GCM, the vehicles GVM in Combination plus the front and rear axle loads, and the caravans GTM.

Then using the jockey wheel, they disconnect the trailer with from the vehicle and re-measure the tow vehicle weights again. The difference of the GVM in Combination and the GVM un-hitched is the TBM which is added to the trailer GTM to attain the ATM.

Job done; all compliance metrics checked.

Most mobile weighing companies utilise a four-wheel pad system and many also use a separate tow ball scales for weighing a caravan and tow vehicle, and this is where discrepancies can occur.

Firstly, the caravans individual wheel weights and the tow-ball mass all need to be measured at the same time. The TBM also needs to be measured with the tow hitch at the same height it is, when attached to the vehicle. This is called 'Travel Height'.

Measuring TBM by subtracting the vehicle weights both hitched and un-hitched is fine if using eight wheel pads. However, using 4 pads under the vehicle only, means that the vehicle is now higher than the caravan as most wheel pads are 50-60mm high. With a single axle van this will decrease the load on the ball and on a tandem axle van will increase the TBM. More on that in future articles on various tow hitches tested with Weight Safe.

Alternatively, measuring the caravans wheel weights (GTM) while attached to the vehicle will mean the weights will again be incorrect as the vehicle is now 50-60mm lower than the caravan.
For example, a recent weight report on a tandem axle caravan recorded an ATM of 3140kgs with the TBM at 'Travel Height' of 302kgs. When the vehicle was weighed both with and without the caravan, the difference between the two weights was 331kgs. This means the TBM was 29kgs heavier simply because the tow vehicle was 60mm higher that the caravan.

Tow-ball mass at travel height is the correct measurement, so all 6 or 8 wheels need to be at the same height, both car and caravan.
Therefore, it is imperative that all mobile weighing companies provide their customers with checks on all these compliance metrics.

Once all the compliance ratings and actual weights have been recorded, the data should be presented to the customer in the form of a detailed printed report.

The operator should then explain all the weight terminologies and acronyms plus a detailed explanation of the report findings. The operator should also be able to make recommendations on how to fix any non-compliance issues.

This could be as simple as referring them to a suspension company for a GVM upgrade or a suitably accredited engineer for a possible ATM upgrade.”

“Some practises I have been either told about or have seen on Facebook posts leave a little bit to be desired. and include:-

• Chocking the wheels of the caravan whilst on the scales. Yes, it should be done for safety but if any of the chock is touching the ramp area of the scale it will reduce the load on the wheel and result in an inaccurate measurement. We have custom made chocks specifically for this purpose.

• Measuring TBM with a weighing pad under the jockey wheel.

• Obtaining TBM by levelling the caravan and not using travel height.

• Not providing a printed report or just giving the customer the printout from the scale set.

• Using cheap scales or a spring-loaded ball scale and not a professionally manufactured commercial and calibrated scales set.

• Using the vehicle and caravan axle weights while attached for GVM and GTM and then weighing the TBM separately. The height difference affects all these measurements.”
End of Quote.

Jeff DeArt advises that at Check Weight he can spend two hours doing a van and tow vehicle weigh and providing a comprehensive report. He and his operators also provide assistance in rectifying any concerns raised with the finding. This may be as simple as relocating some load from front to rear, or from the van to the tow vehicle or visa versa.

Different scale brands may also be different thicknesses, so some need the unweighed vehicle being raised to the same height as described above, however it may not be as important for the very thin scales some operators use as the error margin, while still there, may be minimal. Ultimately, however for best accuracy all vehicles at the same level is the most accurate.

Do not weigh on a gravel surface and ensure the base is level and firm.

Social media has some weighting the perceived tow ball weight at the jockey wheel.

My jockey wheel shows 60 kgs difference than my actual tow hitch weight. This can be extremely inaccurate and once again the tow hitch needs to be at ride height.

Some on social media have accused me of lying, when I say that my previous 20 ft New Age Oz Classic van tow ball weight varies by 2 kgs with the door open or closed. They obviously know very little about the physics of caravan weights. I and others have done it many times on several vans with the same approximate results.

I have completed this exercise 3 - 4 times with 3 different sets of scales and on my new Coromal 20' van and the results are basically the same, approx. 2 kgs difference.

Many mobile scales companies also now do the same exercise with customers to highlight the way weight shifts on a caravan.

Try it yourself and you will see the difference such a small weight shift can make.

Those with heavy boxes on the rear bar will be astounded at the difference it makes to the tow ball and axles weights on a caravan.

A 3,000kg caravan should have a tow ball weight of approximately 300kgs. That 300 kgs on a vehicle with an overhung hitch tow ball will ultimately become approximately 450 kgs on the rear axle due to the leverage of weight off the front axle. All vehicles vary however the shorter the distance from rear axle to tow ball, the better the tow vehicle will be for weights and handling. More on this soon.

When having your van weighted take the time to move some weight around and you will see the difference it makes to various weights.

A reader shared her horror story of a caravan repair business offering free caravan weighing for September. She reported that they used one of the cheap $300 single bar type scales and used the forklift to move the caravan around over the scales one wheel at a time. They then weighted the tow ball weight by placing the jockey wheel on the scale. The tow vehicle was not included in the free weight and the customer realised that they had just wasted their time.

Please have your van weighted at least once by a reputable mobile scales company to help understand where you are and where your weights are. Weighbridges can be a cheaper random check option, but rarely offer the individual service and accuracy of a properly trained light vehicle mobile operator.

It is my belief that there is now a need for a national association to assist training new weighbridge operators to use equipment of a uniform standard. Any new association could also set training courses to accredit any new and existing operators.

However, that is a project for others.

Stay safe and I would appreciate your thoughts and feedback.

Cheers
Ken Wilson

01/02/2023

Hope this puts a smile on your face - have a great day 🤣🤣

I mean technically your not lying with this statement... 🤷🤣

31/01/2023

travel back in time

When we camp, we like to keep it simple. What do you think of the setup?

29/01/2023

Mobile uploads

27/01/2023

Australian Silo Art Trail
Good to see one of these wonderful works up close in Gunnedah

27/01/2023

The heat didn’t deter us from weighing a couples caravan & car in Gunnedah

25/01/2023

media1.tenor.co

Have a great Australia Day

24/01/2023

Road Safety Info

We’ll worth the read for everyone thinking of buying a caravan as well as those already caravanning

The Truck Friendly program offers general Road Safety Info so that we all get home safely.

23/01/2023

Love working with horse float manufacturers who want to get the weights right. Trevor from Darling Downs Horse Floats is one of those guys.

22/01/2023

Met another lovely couple yesterday starting off on their trip around Australia
Even had the back seat passenger keeping an eye on us
Wishing them safe travels

20/01/2023

Definitely worth checking out
So many talented artists

Featured in The Ultimate Guide - https://www.siloartstore.com/products/the-ultimate-guide-2023-with-free-mini-2023-silo-art-calendar
Artist: Fintan Magee
Location: Baring Road,
Patchewollock, Victoria
GrainCorp Silos at Patchewollock
The GrainCorp Silos at Patchewollock were
painted by Fintan Magee in late 2016.
They feature a hard working local by the
name of Nick ‘Noodle’ Hulland, a typical
Aussie who represents the no-nonsense, hard
working spirit of the Wimmera Mallee region.
In characteristic style the artist has used a
technique that makes his subjects clothing
appear to be weathered and faded by time.
But in actual fact this is how they were
seen on the very first day with the paint still
smelling fresh in the air.
These silos were the second to be added
to the Wimmera Mallee trail in Victoria and
the fourth to be included in the Australian
Silo Art Trail.
Don’t forget to check out the Mallee Fowl in
Patchewollock made out of iron and tin!
Photos Robin Dunk.

16/01/2023

Not the way I expected this to end! 🤣🤣🤣

12/01/2023

Assisting another caravan owner with their caravan & car weights

05/01/2023

Want to weigh your Caravan & Car give us a call on 0493 556 505 to book your appointment.
Start 2023 by checking your legal weights to keep family, friends and other travellers safe.
Don't risk a fine or loss of insurance.

30/12/2022

What a beautiful location Secret Lake Retreat. Definitely worth visiting

23/12/2022

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas
Enjoy the festive season and travel safe.

21/12/2022

Elfie has reached his destination. Time for a cuppa ☕️... or maybe something stronger

19/12/2022

Elfie needs some snacks before finding the best holiday destination.

17/12/2022

Elfie knows the car & caravan weights are right so he's hitching a ride knowing there's enough room for him.

15/12/2022

Car & Caravan weighed - check ☑️
Read & understand the weight report - check ☑️
Now ready for some caravanning adventures

13/12/2022

Elfie is making sure the Tow Ball scales are ready to go. Knowing your Tow Ball weight is an important part to travel safe.

11/12/2022

Elfie has joined us to make sure everyone is travelling safe. Get your car & caravan weighted before you hit the road. Call 0493 556 505

09/12/2022

Could be worth looking at if your traveling to the hotter areas