Interesting article from CCCQ

[Rod and Mavis]

Thought you may find this interesting,

Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:57:44 +1000

Subject: Fwd: Caravan Weights

Quote

Dear Club Secretaries,

The following email on caravan weights was written by Ron Chapman of Caravanning Queensland and is forwarded on for the information of your members.

Regards,

Barbara

QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT

We do not believe that there is any specific targeting of caravans by QT. Like any vehicle which looks illegal such rigs involving caravans will be randomly pulled up however our usually reliable sources tell us that there is definitely no specific targeting program in place for caravans. We believe however that NSW Transport are pulling up caravans at the moment.

As regards the difference between weights on a VIN plate and those on a rego sticker, this can possibly happen in a couple of different ways. When a caravan is taken to a QT registration centre it is the responsibility of the inspecting officer to check that the measurements and the data on the VIN plate correspond with those noted on the completed application form. Obviously some are not properly checked and/or are incorrectly transposed onto the computer records.

The other method is where a dealer is licensed to issue registration plates. They are declaring that all detail is correct and if they are wrong then they are leaving themselves open to liability. QT regularly audit those dealers who are licensed to issue plates. So it is not likely to be done deliberately.

WEIGHING CARAVANS

The weighing of Tare Mass is quite specific. It is the weight of the caravan as it leaves the factory. It does not include water or gas. If the caravan has been factory fitted with non-standard items such as an additional gas cylinder, batteries, a rear bumper bar, an additional spare wheel, an air conditioner, a larger than standard fridge, a bigger than standard stove, an awning etc etc, then these should be included in the tare weight.

Anything fitted after it leaves the factory becomes part of the “load” regardless of whether it is fitted by the dealer or somebody else.

The normal load nominated to make up the ATM is 300kg for a single axle caravan and 400kg for a tandem. These two nominal weights are only recommendations from the RVMAA. They are not mandatory but were developed some time ago from researching what people carry on average, including the water and gas. The weight of these consumables was not “overlooked” as they are variables.

It is possible to obtain a Vehicle Modification Plate from Queensland Transport to affix to the caravan should the owner wish to increase the allowable ATM. Broadly what is required is reliable evidence that the caravan is indeed capable of carrying the extra load. A letter from the manufacturer verifying that it is engineer certified to a higher capacity will generally suffice as evidence. This would be to cover the chassis/drawbar, axles, springs, wheels, tyres, bearings and brakes etc.

The reason why manufacturers place what many would call “conservative” weights on VIN plates is because, as is suggested in the letter, some owners will look at the higher weight and still exceed it. These are the type of people who will then come back and complain about tyre failure or chassis cracking or the like. It’s the old story of 95% of good people having to suffer for the actions of 5% irresponsible ones.

It is not a correct assumption that you can compare caravans with trailers towed by a prime mover. They are treated entirely differently in the Australian Design Rules where caravans come under the category of “Pig Trailer”.

Whilst we do not wish to sound in any way defensive of manufacturers who put incorrect information on VIN plates, in the majority of the relatively few cases brought to our attention, the mistake has been involuntary human error. Manufacturers do in fact leave themselves open to very serious liability and retribution should they fit incorrect data.

All major manufacturers have scales installed at the end of their production line. Those who don’t are required to weigh them by other means and keep records of same.

What we can say with a great degree of confidence is that the majority of overweight caravans are because of retro fitted items, be they at a dealer level or subsequent to delivery and this becomes especially prevalent when consumers purchase second hand caravans and add even more on to units which already have non-calculated retro fitments.

Quite often people will purchase a caravan which is already in a manufacturer’s production schedule which then necessitates the retro-fitting of certain items by the dealer. When ordering a new caravan, consumers should probably check whether what they order is in this category and if so, request the dealer to request that the manufacturer fits a VIN plate with a higher capacity ATM ex factory to save any future problems.

We trust that this clarifies most of the queries raised.

Ron

Caravanning Queensland

P O Box 5542

Stafford Heights Q 4053

Ph 07 3862 1833 Fax 07 3262 9890

E: ron@caravanqld.com.au

W: www.caravanqld.com.au

**************** Disclaimer *********************

--

Barbara Rutherford

Secretary

Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland

[Tolley]

That is intereseting Rood. Thankyou.

Colin

[Tolley]

Sorry about the extra "o", Rod!

Colin

[Ian and Sue]

Very interesting, thanks for posting this Rod.

[RickA]

It sounds like this bloke sells caravans for a living??? And as for the RVMAA they are as useless as breasts on a male bovine as far as the "Customer" is concerned.

Cheers

Rick