• During March, we travelled to several rural areas for weighing sessions. We love a road trip, especially the chance to visit and stay in smaller towns. It is work, but we also manage to sample a few coffees, test the local bakery offerings and enjoy a pub dinner. Our pup Annie, the Drive A Weigh Client Relations Manager usually gets in on the act too. Nothing she loves more than meeting new clients and lapping up the attention!

    Gippsland/Bass Coast is a regular destination for us, weighing at Traralgon, Warragul, Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi, Cowes and many smaller centres in between. Sometimes we also head up to the border towns, to the goldfields areas and to the ranges. This week, we are heading up to Seymour, Shepparton and Wangaratta, following up on requests from our earlier Nagambi trip and safety talk. We understand that it can be harder to get services and advice in regional Victoria and we are always happy to help. During the cooler months of 2025, we anticipate travelling and weighing through NSW (coast and inland) and up into SE QLD, so watch out for these dates.

    The easiest way to make a regional request is to phone us directly on 0401476948 or lodge an enquiry form via a website. As soon as we can, we will confirm the dates for your locale and book you in. There is no additional charge for this service, it is simply a matter of having enough bookings to travel the distance. You can always speed things up by encouraging a few local mates or family members to join you for a weighing session. If you do this, we offer ‘mates rates’ to you and your caravan friends as a thanks for helping us!

  • Each year, we weigh huge numbers of Ford, Isuzu and Toyota models, as the most popular tow vehicle choices in Australia. For the last 2 years, we have noticed the emergence of some new players in the leisure market. One of these is Musso, a ute made by a South Korean company, Ssangyong.

    In this case, the Musso was capably paired with a Snowy River 21 ft van. The statistics were impressive, with plenty of payload left and the ute coming in well below maximum specifications for all weight metrics. It was also extremely well balanced, which improves handling and safety all around. The Snowy caravan was also green ticks, though we did flag that it would be better to slightly reduce the ATM by removing some packing weight. Overall, a very positive result and happy clients!

  • Sometimes, clients come to us to weigh their tried and trusted tow vehicles. It might be an older model, that has capably pulled their van for many adventures around Australia and which is set up just to their liking. This was the exact scenario last week when we weighed an older model Nissan Cab Chassis ute, paired with a beautiful new Hilltop van. The car was hampered by the significant weight of a full steel canopy, which used more than 50% of its available payload. The van was spot on for every weight metric and well-balanced. Sadly, the car was not quite up to the task, as they suspected. Our clients will now use the information provided in the report to purchase a new tow vehicle, with higher GVM, GCM, BTC and Rear Axle ratings. Decision made!

  • Our local clients asked us to weigh their Mitsubishi SUV and Franklin caravan recently, to ensure they were within weight specifications for both. The car came up all green ticks, with plenty of spare on GVM, GCM, BTC and even on the Rear Axle. With a fairly modest ATM, the van was slightly over on this metric and a little heavier on the tow ball than the CIA advisory range. We were able to identify some extra packing that could be removed altogether or swapped into the car (whilst not then pushing it over). Having recently packed up the contents of our van for sale, we know how easy it is to accumulate extra items and push the overall weight up. A quick ‘audit’ can be all that is needed to bring the ATM/GTM back down into the green. Our clients are now ready to Drive A Weigh safely.

  • When we weigh your car/van/motorhome/trailer, we do a lot of homework first. Putting your rig on the scales only tells us half the story. Before we see you, we are doing the research to confirm the specifications for your particular make and model. Once we have these, we are able to turn up and check the actual weights against the maximum ratings, to determine your payload and capacity (if any).

    Every car and van manufacturer must provide the purchaser with technical information about the maximum weights for each component of the towing process. There are maximum overall weights for the car, including (GVM), maximum combination weights (GCM), maximum front and rear axle rates and a maximum braked tow capacity (BTC). For the van or trailer, there are maximum overall weights (ATM), maximum tow ball weights (TBM), a maximum axle group weight (GAWR) and the maximum weight that can sit on the wheels (GTM). 

    Part of our job is to track down all of these manufacturers' set limits before we arrive for the appointment. Some of the information can be found on compliance plates (pillar or under bonnet for a car, drawbar or front boot for a caravan). Additional information might also be found in an Owner’s Manual or similar document. The information that isn’t available from these easy places is what takes time to find, especially with older models. We use the internet, our previous results and those of our fellow weighers within the professional organization (MWAA). If all else fails, we approach the manufacturer’s office themselves for the information. Mostly they will not speak to us, only the registered owner. Even then, they sometimes seem not to know or be willing to release this data. We recently had a major OEM say that they couldn't quote the specifications, as they might vary from country to country. Surely they know what the specs are for the Australian market if they are selling for use in this market?

    This is where it gets interesting. We argue that if you are purchasing a tow vehicle, usually in the $60-80,000 range, surely this is key information? The sales representative should be able to tell you quickly and easily what the maximum rear axle rating is for any vehicle they are selling as a tow car. They should also know the GVM, the GCM and not just the BTC. See our explainer sheet on the website to understand the significance of each weight category, but axle weights in particular. The wrong car might then require an engineered upgrade to its axles or GVM/GCM to get the job done. This can mean additional costs of more than $10,000 and compromise future resale value if not performed pre-registration. Van salespeople should also be able to tell you all the relevant specifications before you purchase, so you can estimate what your payload will be and know whether it will get the job done for you (especially if travelling long-term).

    Our theory is that if the dealer or representative does not know or want to find these maximum specifications, then it is probably not going to mean good news for you. We are happy to help clarify the importance of specifications and to show you how your current setup measures against them. It is all part of the Drive A Weigh service!

  • The use of such devices is another hotly debated topic amongst the caravan community. There are long-term users who swear by the improved ride and handling they can provide. Others strongly disagree, saying they are a bandaid and it is better to address the underlying towing issues. We are not auto engineers, so we shy away from this debate. As a general point, we certainly see that WDHs can improve handling and therefore contribute to safety on the road. At the same time, we have concerns about the stresses they apply to the chassis and what this can mean over the long term.

    First, let's look at what the WDH does when it is used. It sits along the caravan drawbar and involves a series of levers or spring bars to move weight around. Generally, they take weight off the rear axle of the vehicle and transfer it forward to the front axle. Sometimes a small amount of residual weight can also be transferred to the van itself. This effectively lifts the back of the tow vehicle to a better travel height and ‘levels out’ the ride. This may also improve steering control and braking efficiency. It is important to note that the ball weight does not change, only where that weight is transferred.

    Over the last 12 months, we have seen a significant number of instances where the WDH system was being used incorrectly and therefore not achieving the desired result. Others were fitted correctly, but on vehicles whose manufacturer says they should not be used with that make/model. Then, there is the issue of warranty and insurance. To help you navigate all this, we have compiled a checklist of key points to check or consider:

    • Start by checking with the manufacturer of your vehicle, whether they allow/endorse use

    • Check whether the use of a WDH will invalidate/impact your vehicle’s warranty

    • Purchase a reputable brand of WDH

    • Make sure you have the correct WDH device for your setup (up to 3.5t or 4.5t)

    • Have the seller show you how to set it up

    • Notify your insurance company, as using a WDH counts as a modification

    • Follow the exact manufacturer's instructions when you then set it up yourself

    • Do not attempt rough/bumpy roads while using a WDH

    • Remove the WDH before reversing

    • Check your chassis regularly for signs of stress or damage.

    As with all towing scenarios, we encourage ensuring that all axle weights are compliant, the TBM and height are in the desired range and that the tow vehicle weighs more than the trailer. Using a WDH should not be used to compensate for these key safety aspects. If in doubt, ask us for more information and consult a reputable auto engineering company.

  • This is one of those topics we all chat about at Happy Hours and around the campfire. There are travellers amongst us who pack most of their household goods and are prepared for any contingency (if they can find it in the crowded cupboards). There are those amongst us who operate on the bare minimum and with just 2 of everything. Most of us are somewhere in the middle. Industry statistics tell us that the average couple now travels with 400-600kg of packing, though families could be as much as 800kg. This is close to double what travellers packed 20 years ago!

    The problem arises when we look closely at the real payload in your van.  It is not as simple as ATM minus TARE gives Payload. Firstly, the TARE figure quoted for your van may be an estimate rather than an actual (yes, this is legal and does happen). Secondly, the real available payload number is likely to be much smaller than it seems, once you take into account water in the tanks, gas in the bottles, hoses, leads, tables, chairs and any aftermarket accessories or modifications. This is why a professional weight session is important. We can tell you how much weight you really have left (if any) for clothes, personal items, food, shoes, entertainment etc. It may be that you simply have to remove some of the packed items, or we may help you look at lighter substitutions to make sure you have what you need, whilst remaining compliant. 

    One of our practical suggestions is to follow up a weight check by starting a spreadsheet or list of what was included. Alternatively, you can photograph each cupboard and storage area (inside and out), to know what was in the van on weigh day. This is your reference point. Any items taken out after that can be placed in a washing basket and put on bathroom scales. The same happens for any weight you add. The numbers are added or subtracted from your earlier tally. Having a record of the starting point and then for what gets added or taken out, allows you to track weights (loosely), without needing a reweigh. Remember, this includes stuff going in and out of external lockers, on/off the roof etc. Even changing battery systems can alter weights. Doing these simple things helps track van weight from year to year, to avoid being overloaded and all the issues that arise with safety, insurance and legality.

  • Sometimes, with much older caravans, it is not possible to locate accurate specifications for weights. The original compliance plates may not even include the TARE weight as they often just show the VIN number.

    The owner of this gorgeous vintage van wanted to know what his actual weights were for registration purposes. When this is the case, we produce a slightly different report. It includes van photos and the actual recorded weights for ATM, GTM, TBM, TBM as % of ATM and TB travel height. Also included in the report are the printed dockets showing wheel and axle weights, as well as the date and vehicle/van registration number. These dockets are accepted by Vic Roads when accompanied by our business details and recent scale calibration reports.

    If you have a vintage car or caravan and need this kind of supporting documentation, we can help out. We think this little beauty was built to last and may be starting a new chapter soon.

  • These customers love to travel off-road and have recently completed a trip along the Oodnadatta Track. The driver is a lifetime truckie, with excellent mechanical and practical road knowledge. Their car and van are both kept in excellent order and checked over regularly.

    We were pretty sure that the results would be ok before we even started to weigh his car and van. Sure enough, green ticks all around. The upgraded car had plenty of spare weight capacity and was travelling well below manufacturer limits. The van was closer to its limits but still all legal. It is great to see that even those who have been weighed before and have good weights awareness, still do a regular check. It is too easy for many of us to keep adding items and then find that we have tipped over the specifications.

    These clients will now drive away safely and with peace of mind for their next big off-road adventure.

  • Our clients were heading off on a small trip, in preparation for semi-retirement and some much longer adventures.

    They have recently upgraded their tow vehicle to a Ford Ranger XLT. Being knowledgeable about weights, they had already had an engineered upgrade performed but did not have full compliance paperwork to support this. As a result, we had to use the original plated specifications on the day.

    They achieved all green ticks for the vehicle, however, it was pretty close (we highlight these values in orange on our report) on GVM and Rear Axle rating. This could easily be addressed by removing a small amount of weight from either the roof rack or the canopy until the vehicle is replated.

    The Panther was more of a concern, coming in a little over most of its specifications. We advised taking out some packing load to achieve compliance. The TBM and balance were absolutely spot on, so we did have some good news to deliver on the day.

  • We were travelling for work recently and struck up a conversation with a mechanic in a coffee shop car park. It got us thinking about the importance of the issue he raised. There have been recent reports in the mainstream news and also on social media about incidents where the wheel studs on new caravans have sheared off, sometimes after less than 100km on the road. For those who are less technical, wheel studs are the fasteners (semi-permanently mounted) that attach wheels to a vehicle’s or van’s hub. If they shear off, the wheel will likely fly off and can cause significant harm. Our understanding is that tests have shown in several instances that the steel used in the manufacturing of the studs had not been sufficiently hardened or tempered. This results in much weaker steel and, hence, the snapping of the studs. They were never fit for purpose. What this suggests is corner and cost cutting by some name brand manufacturers of caravans. It would be hard to check for this without having access to a lab, but it is something to be aware of.

    The more significant and controllable issue is the tensioning of your wheel nuts for both car and van. Wheel nuts or lugs are the fasteners that hold the wheels to the wheel studs (explained above). Using the correct tension for these nuts is essential. In the owner’s manual for your car and your van, there should be a section on wheel nut tension, giving a specific torque or tightness setting. This value (in Newton-meters) may vary depending on the make and model of the car/van, the size of the rims and their design. Too loose, and the wheel could fly off. Too tight and you may not be able to remove it to change the tyre. We suggest using a manual torque wrench, which has a dial that can be set to a precise number. If in doubt, get yours checked at a reputable tyre organisation or when your car/van is next in for service. This should be a regular check item, as rough travel can loosen wheel nuts and invite disaster. At the same time, do a visual check of the tyres for tread levels and any other looming problems. It's better to be prepared than caught out!

  • On a personal and business level, I am a user of all the usual social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. They do have a role to play in providing entertainment, social connection and, to a limited extent, information. As users, our role is to apply critical thinking to all that we read on these platforms. Truth and accuracy are frequently a low priority for the person posting or sharing. Add to that, the random comments from armchair “experts” who comment on the original post and you have a potentially dangerous situation. 

    The caravan industry generally is a sector that relies heavily on the posts of influencers, who promote the glamour and freedom that caravanning can bring. The influencers and the broader public help us to see a lifestyle we may aspire to, but not know how to achieve. Social media can also provide great suggestions for campsites, packing hacks, running repairs, camp recipes and so much more. Many new caravan owners can quickly learn about their particular make/model from specific brand-affiliated groups, which cover much more detail than the manuals ever could. We can all discover great new locations to add to our future trip planning and endless decor hacks can help us turn our vans into stylish mini homes. We can hear about new caravan products and services, plus easy modifications to the comfort of our existing vans, motorhomes or campers. I certainly still learn from the generosity of the caravan community, via social media, even after 20 years of travelling in vans. 

    On the downside, social media is prone to misinformation and dangerous advice from the wider public, channelled via various social media user groups. I have become particularly concerned in the last few years about public questions and comments relating to potentially dangerous scenarios. Asking for help/advice with caravan weights, towing and balance issues is a clear example. Such advice should be sought from industry professionals, as it may negatively impact the performance and safety of your rig. Taking unqualified advice, well-meaning though it may be, may invalidate your warranties and insurance. In many cases, this type of advice should only come from qualified auto engineers or industry specialists. Please do not ask questions about can my XXX car tow a YYY caravan. There are usually too many variables that will render this audience advice inaccurate and in the worst-case scenario, it may even prove lethal. 

    Seeing glamorous photos of travelling families with huge vans, cars with boats on top and all the gear can also paint a misleading picture. Believe me when I say that they have likely spent an eye-watering amount of money on upgrades and engineering to achieve this. Whether you are setting out to purchase a first car/van combo, upgrading or adding new equipment to your existing rig, please consult a professional and do not rely on social media. Talk to specialists who understand weight interactions and what is/isn't safe. We are always happy to use our knowledge to educate others about weight issues, so they do not need to take risks with social media opinions.

  • The worst job of the year is to go back over all the previous weighing jobs and extract some useful statistics from the data (groan!!!).

    The good news is that we have finished compiling the numbers for another year (yay!!!).

    We don't want to bore you all with too much detail, so we have removed the data about boats, motorhomes, horse floats and machinery. Here is a quick snapshot of what we found from the caravan towing setups we weighed.

    These numbers are significantly better than the previous data set. This gives us hope that the education campaign is working and that those towing are a bit more aware of their weights. The only factor worth noting is that people who call us for a weighing session are already interested and motivated, so they tend to have an idea and/or have done some problem-solving themselves.

    Our statistics may not reflect the wider caravan community. We worry about those folks who haven't given their weights a thought or are simply assuming they will be ok.

    Our aim in 2025 is to reach more people and help them check their ratings against their actual weights. Call us now on 0401476948 to make sure you are in the green!

  • Many people assume that caravans and boats are the only things that need to be weight-checked, but we also regularly weigh working utes and machinery trailers for tradespeople.

    They may not always be towing, but they still need to meet all manufacturer’s specifications for the vehicle to be roadworthy and have valid insurance. When you rely on your vehicle for your income, this is doubly important. We often find that the weight of a canopy, tools and accessories means utes are over their Gross Vehicle Mass and also over their Rear Axle Ratings.

    This capable vehicle was easily within its GVM but fairly close to maximum rear axle ratings. We chatted to our client about weight checking any extra payload items, to maintain balance and compliance. 

  • One of the best things about our job is the variety of things we are called to weigh.

    Mornington Peninsula Shire asked us to check their new mobile library service van, recently built specially for them. This was a 2-stage process, first checking the weights and balance of the empty vehicle. It achieved all green ticks for compliance.

    The second stage, some weeks later, was to reweigh the van with a full load of library books and associated equipment. Again, it came up beautifully, with all green ticks against the manufacturer’s specifications.

    This van will soon be in service, travelling around the peninsula to provide library access to many people and help promote the joys of reading. 

  • This twin-hulled boat was the biggest we have weighed, to date. It tipped the scales at a little over 4000kg of gleaming white loveliness. At this time of year, it certainly provides hours of fishing and general boating fun for the lucky owner.

    Boats are no different to other towables on the road - the trailers they sit on must meet compliance specifications (Aggregate Trailer Mass and Axle Group Ratings) set by the trailer maker. Their tow ball mass must also sit in the safe range. There were a couple of tweaks needed to ensure safer towing for this boat, but the owners now have our comprehensive report to address these issues.

    If you own (or are thinking of purchasing) a boat, please give us a call and we will come to you to check the weights and balances, to help protect your marine investment.

  • Over recent months, we have started to see an emerging theme in our caravan weighing. Many of the dual-axle caravans we weigh, turn out to have very different results for the axle groups.

    Ideally, we expect to see a fairly even split between the front axle weight result and the rear axle weight result. We want to see all 4 wheels, working together (regardless of the type of suspension) to share the weight and workload. New vans should leave the factory with wheels aligned and axles operating evenly. It has shocked us to find up to 600kg difference in the weight load being carried by front and rear axles, sometimes on brand new vans! This is a significant safety issue, which will impact braking, steering and overall handling. It will also cause wear and maintenance issues. The hardest thing is that you have no way of knowing unless you have a professional weight assessment. It is an invisible problem, but a potentially major one.

    Thankfully, we can often improve the weight differential by altering ride height and redistributing packing weight.

    Book in with us now (on 0401476948) to check your axle weight distribution, as part of the comprehensive Drive A Weigh assessment.

  • We recently travelled to East Gippsland for a 3-day weighing event.

    Local clients were able to book their cars and vans in several locations, including Bairnsdale, Marlo, Orbost and Lakes Entrance. These areas are outside our normal business operation zone, but we are always happy to take a request and build an event around it.

    Our findings were a mix, as were the size and age of what we weighed. We weighed Jayco, Coromal, Essential, Regent, Royal Flair, NextGen and Austrack vans. Our largest combo had a Gross Combined Weight (car & van together) of 6335kg and the smallest had a GCM of 3850kg. The longest van was 23’6” and the shortest was just 13’. We had some really well-balanced vans and others where the weight load was not appropriate for stability. Some vans had plenty of payload left (356kg) and others were maxed out (-64kg). Towball weight ranged from 6% to 15% of ATM.

    Needless to say, we did a lot of troubleshooting and problem-solving!

    If you have been thinking about getting your own set up weighed, but live further out, please chat to us on 0401476948. We will try to make it happen for you, just as we did for all these happy campers.

  • Each week, we speak to a number of individual clients about the weights of their own setups and how to improve things for maximum safety on the road. It is a message we love to deliver, so when the opportunity presents to speak to a large group of caravan people at a muster, we jump at it.

    In late November we did a 40-minute presentation called ‘Weights Matter’ to the Gippsland Hilltop Caravans Group in Nicholson. It covered some general business background but focused mainly on educating everyone about how car/caravan weights work and why compliance is vital.

    People often approach us after a talk like this to thank us and say that they had no idea just what was involved and how important it is to have accurate weight data. We like to think the talk might help to protect their safety, insurance and money, in the long term.

    If you know a group of any size who might benefit from our fun and educational presentation, please let us know. We are happy to travel with some notice and can even do follow-up consultations while we are there. Phone 0401476948 to chat about it.

  • Our client had really done his homework, before purchasing this great combination.

    The Landcruiser 300 Series was upgraded, prior to picking up the van. This gave them a significant increase in GVM, GCM and axle ratings. The van itself is set up for off-grid and outback travel, with all the extras. Despite being a heavy car and a heavy van, they were both fully compliant, achieving all green ticks.

    We love delivering good news and we also love to see clients who have educated themselves and done the groundwork. It has certainly paid off for them—happy offroad adventures for 2025.

  • This was an unusual weighing job, but great fun.

    The van was built in 1955, so finding compliance information was very challenging. Fortunately, we managed to find an ATM and GTM maximum rating, so this meant we were able to calculate the optimum TBM.

    It amazed us just how light vans were in the 50’s (1245kg), compared to the current offerings which typically come in at 3000kg plus.

    It certainly didn’t have the comforts we are now used to, but we feel it could probably tell some happy tales of family holidays over the years.

  • Being smaller in size does not mean that you don’t need to think about weights or that you will always be under your limits. There are many variables, but there is no getting away from the fact that you must comply with all the trailer manufacturer’s specifications and ratings.

    This year we have weighed many boats/trailers, ranging from 25ft down to something much smaller. Boat trailers all come with an ATM and a GTM rating, which means the maximum amount of weight overall and specifically over the wheels/axle(s).

    We reported on all these for our client, also checked the trailer tyre ratings and included some extra information in their compliance report.

  • Whilst most people know that weight checks are important for cars, utes, caravans and motorhomes, many do not realise that any machinery trailers must also be compliant.

    Given the significant weight they carry (think excavators, graders, bobcats, mowers etc.), it is essential to check when purchasing new equipment or upgrading existing equipment. Is the trailer rated to do the job you are asking it to? Such loads tend to have a high centre of gravity too, so they are inherently less stable from the start.

    Whether you are towing machinery occasionally or regularly, the rules are the same. The weights and tow ball mass must not exceed the manufacturer’s specifications and all sections of the trailer must be roadworthy (including hitch, tyres etc). An accident caused by overloading or poor maintenance could have awful consequences.

    Please call us for a machinery trailer check and ask about discounts if your business has a lot of gear.

  • For those lucky enough to be heading off for a Summer holiday in the next few weeks,

    we recommend taking a few minutes to ensure you are ‘fire ready’. Hopefully, you never need to enact a fire plan, but it is always better to be prepared. We suggest these simple steps:

    1. Check the weather forecast for the area/time you plan to be there, especially taking note of any extreme fire rating days (high temperatures and high winds). Check again regularly whilst you are there, for updates.

    2. Know the local emergency broadcast radio frequency to check advice levels. Have a battery-operated radio for this purpose, in case reception goes out.

    3. Familiarise yourself with local roads, so that you have an exit plan. This might mean knowing an alternative route, should the main road become blocked or dangerous.

    4. Never underestimate the speed of a fire and always opt to leave early if things are looking uncertain.

    5. Be aware of how difficult road travel and towing are when there is smoke reducing visibility, and adjust your driving accordingly. 

    6. If you are staying at a caravan park, learn about their emergency muster site and make sure older kids know where the muster point is too.

    7. If you are freecamping in the bush, make sure your car and van are pointing outwards, for a quick hitch up and get out, in the event of an approaching fire front. In the worst-case scenario, just leave the van and get yourselves out as quickly as possible.

    8. If you do have a campfire (when permitted), make sure that it is properly extinguished before leaving, so that you don't accidentally cause a local fire.

    9. We suggest carrying fire blankets and an up-to-date fire extinguisher in both car and van so that you can deal with a small spot fire before it becomes something more significant. A reliable torch is also a good idea.

    Our climate conditions are becoming unstable and more severe, so a little bit of forethought and preparation can help keep you and your family fire-safe over the festive season and beyond.

  • This was a green tick day for our local clients, with a well paired vehicle and van.

    The Ranger was below maximum vehicle specificatiions and even had plenty to spare in its Gross Combined Mass rating (maximum for the car and van in combination).  The car to van ratio was also healthy, which is not a legal requirement, but important for safety and handling.

    Our only concern on the day was that the caravan was fairly close to its ATM limit. That potential issue was easily fixed by removing a few non-essential packing items and swapping some van weight into the car. Towball mass was at the higher end of the 9-11% recommendation, but the setup was well balanced and riding at the correct height. It will mean happy holidays over the Summer for this local family!

  • Increasingly, we are seeing extreme weather events across Australia. These include flash flooding, extreme heat, damaging winds, large hail and worse.

    Caravans and cars are not always built to withstand these events, so it pays to have a plan in place. The most important thing is to keep a keen eye on the forecast, so you can prepare. Below are some of our top tips for protecting yourselves and your setup:

    • Don't park close to river beds (even dry ones) as water can “arrive” quickly

    • Avoid parking under big trees, especially gums, which drop limbs easily.

    • Carry an extra large tarp and some rope, to cover your van or car if hail is expected.

    • Drop your awning at the first sign of high wind, otherwise it will tear at the weakest point.

    • Check fire danger ratings and avoid remote areas when these are high or extreme.

    • Don't attempt to tow through any kind of flood water. Move to high ground and wait it out.

    • Dress appropriately & monitor your body’s responses in extreme heat/cold conditions.

    Most of this advice is common sense, but it is worth thinking about and knowing what to do/not do. Nobody wants to find themselves in a dangerous situation, when they should be enjoying a relaxing trip or holiday. Be prepared for the worst case scenario and it may just save your life.

  • We have always believed it was easier to prevent any theft issues, rather than to try to fix/replace afterwards.

    Most of us are more relaxed when we are away in our vans, so we recommend taking some basic preventative safety steps before you go, and avoid the need to  worry.

    • Install a solar charged, movement activated LED sensor light near the van door, to alert you when anyone approaches at night. Ours easily velcros in place, when we set up.

    • We use a long, small gauge wire chain, looped through our chairs, tables and BBQ and locked to the chassis of the van. We also chain gas bottles and bikes. This deters opportunists from helping themselves easily when we are not around.

    • Consider a portable tracking device, hidden inside your van. This might make it easier to find the van, if stolen.

    • Use heavy grade locks on the hitch and on the wheels, if you are leaving your van at a free camp to go off exploring during the day. Not cheap, but money well spent!

    • Avoid leaving laptops/iPads/phones on benches or beds in plain sight and/or near a window…it only takes a second to snip the flyscreen, reach in and take these devices.

    • Don't duck to the amenities block leaving an unlocked van. In a busy caravan park, it is too easy for someone passing to walk in and out with your personal items in those short minutes. Take particular care if the site is beachfront and/or unfenced. 

    • Check that your van insurance includes some cover for personal items and consider specifying valuables like cameras and laptops in your schedule.


    Hopefully, you will never experience the upset of returning to camp to find missing items or even a missing van.

    Our suggestions are aimed at making it a bit less likely, by taking some inexpensive preventative steps. You will be able to relax and enjoy the trip, without constant checking.

  • By the nature of their lightweight frames and components, caravans do frequently require running repairs. If you live in yours or travel full time, the repair and maintenance tasks will likely be more significant.

    Most of us are careful with how much weight we carry in the car and van, so taking all our tools is not an option. Our top three items for quick fixes on the road are:

    1. Duct tape, which can be used to secure weirdly shaped items, block small leaks, hold things down and so  much more.

    2. Octopus straps, which we have used to hold broken windows/doors/hatches, reattach items plus used on windy days to keep things put around camp.

    3. Cable ties are useful for fiddly jobs, where you may not have the correct fittings or fixings. They are strong and light, for short term repairs.

    We also carry a cordless drill, some silicon, ropes and a small range of hand tools. When we have needed a tool we didn’t have on board, there has usually been someone else around willing to loan us theirs. Unless you do a lot of extreme 4WD or remote camping, it really is only necessary to carry a small maintenance kit and a few basic tools.

    With a bit of ingenuity, most issues can be managed until you are able to seek professional help or access specific parts.

  • Our lucky clients will soon be picking up a new Royal Flair van, with lots of off grid extras on board. They already have a well kitted out Toyota Hilux, which easily towed their last van, but suspected it may not manage the new (heavier) van.

    Our weight checks quickly showed that they were right, and that the heavier towball weight of the new van will push the Hilux over on GVM and Rear Axle Rating. The accurate information we gave them, will now be used to assess whether to upgrade or replace their current tow vehicle.

    We are always sad to deliver this news, but happy that they will now be in a position to tow safely when they pick up the new caravan next month.

    If you are upgrading your van, we recommend a full weight check to ensure you are still compliant and insured.

  • Our clients have purchased a food truck, to travel around the area cooking delicious pizzas at events and celebrations.

    We weighed their newly set up trailer, checking everything against the manufacturer’s specifications. Part of the service is extra information related to left/right balance too, so that towing is smooth and stable.

    There will need to be some problem solving to improve the low towball mass, but we are working with the clients to rectify this, whilst keeping all other weights correct.

    It doesn’t matter what you tow, there are still compliance and safety requirements to be met and we are always happy to help our clients do this.

  • These clients are fairly new to towing and caravanning and they were keen to learn more about weight-related safety. We love it when people check their weights right from the start, as this is safer for them and other road users.

    Our checks revealed that the van was all green ticks for compliance, which was good news. Unfortunately, the car was slightly over on GVM and also on the rear axle. It was also close to the maximum allowed BTC, set by the manufacturer. There were options to redistribute some weight from the car to the van, which would solve all of these issues.

    There is a lot to learn, but we aim to help newbies understand the terminology and what their actual weights mean for compliance and balance. 

  • Getting lost is something nobody wants.

    For those caravanners who stay on the blacktop, you are unlikely to become wildly lost and more likely to just waste some time and fuel money trying to get to your destination. For those who seek out more isolated camping spots, remote beaches and bush views, the chances are higher than you think.

    Many travellers rely on Google Maps, which is a Route Engine (based on user data) and not a proper mapping product. Google or Apple Maps use unverified information and can lead you down unsuitable tracks or leave you in a vulnerable situation.

    We recommend relying on official maps, such as Hema, whether they are paper or pre-downloaded digital maps. Such official maps can give you accurate data about the type of surface, the terrain and the degree of difficulty. The data is regularly checked by qualified mappers and includes seasonal warnings/closures. They can also give you reliable data about distances and points of interest. As well as using credible mapping products, we suggest that you always travel prepared. Have plenty of water, plenty of fuel, extra food, charged devices, recovery gear and a decent first aid kit. Let someone know what your route, destination and estimated return time are so that they can raise an alarm if needed.

    You just never know what can happen and how long it may take to get assistance. We have all heard of people bogged in sand, sliding off the track in mud and experiencing technical failures.

    Don't let us put you off, get out there and explore but make sure you prepare well. Happy adventures!

  • For most people who have ordered a new van, the day of pick-up is super exciting.

    Without being too negative, we should point out there are some potential pitfalls for the unwary. In theory, you can check the VIN plate (usually located on the caravan drawbar or inside the front tunnel locker) to confirm what your payload is. The metric you are looking for is the TARE weight. This refers to the weight of the empty caravan, with no water or gas, as it comes off the assembly line. The TARE should include the weight of all items that were specified in the contract of sale e.g. any additional solar panels, larger washing machine or other extras. We suggest that the difference (on the VIN plate) between the TARE and the ATM should be 400-600kg for a family van and slightly less for a couple. Some clients tell us that the TARE ends up being much higher than anticipated/agreed and uses up their payload to an extent that compromises the functionality of their purchase. Our advice is to double-check this at handover.

    A final note of caution is that the reported TARE can be inaccurate. Some volume manufacturers approximate the expected TARE, rather than accurately weighing it. If in doubt, we are happy to attend your handover and check the weights before you finalise the transaction.

    Call us to discuss this, if you have any concerns. It is usually a large sum of $$ changing hands, and once it is completed, challenging the result can be difficult and slow. As with all things weights, it is better to know!

  • There is some confusion about the consequences of travelling with an overloaded caravan or trailer. The fines vary from state and territory in Australia but are most significant in Victoria and NSW.

    Most of us will venture over the state borders from time to time, so it is important to know what to expect as you travel. In Victoria, the fines are related to the amount or % over the manufacturer’s specification. If you are less than 5% over, expect to pay a minimum of $238. If you are 20% over the specs, expect to pay $1580. Weights beyond that threshold will usually see your journey come to an immediate end.

    Any of these would be a serious holiday spoiler and are best avoided. Some states can also apply demerit points to overloaded rigs. The chances are not high that you will be stopped and weighed, but it is becoming a higher priority for road authorities and police. Claiming you had no idea when found to be overloaded, is no longer considered a defence.

    Know your weights and travel with confidence that you will not be fined (or worse), by checking the compliance of your car/van with Drive A Weigh.

  • Sometimes we have to deliver unwanted news. It's always hard, especially when it is a set-up that clients have saved hard for and love to use.

    On this day, our client’s car came up a bit too close to maximum specifications, especially GVM and the rear axle rating. This is not uncommon with the mid-sized SUVs, which tend to have lower ratings than the equivalent utes (Ford Rangers). They are heavier overall, so there is less capacity left. Our clients may look into an engineered upgrade or reduce the payload they carry in the car itself. The van was over its ATM, so some immediate weight needed to be removed, to be legal.

    We chatted to them about the difference between ‘might need’ and ‘must have’ packing items, so they feel confident now to keep the van weights in check.

    They can now use the van regularly in our beautiful Spring weather, knowing it is fully compliant.

  • Our clients asked for a weigh as they set out on a small holiday. Both van and car came up with green ticks all around and we don't see that very often.

    They successfully use a weight-distribution hitch to assist with leveraging load off the rear axle and onto the front axle of the Isuzu.

    The TBM and tow ball heights were both a little high, so we discussed options to bring these into line with AD recommendations.

    The set-up is now checked and safe to travel, which will protect their insurance and budget. Another great outcome!

  • You might expect that loading 10kg into your van will add 10kg to the overall weight (Aggregate Trailer Mass). You would be right, BUT it may not land exactly where you might think.

    This is where physics comes into play. We will try to simplify the examples below so that it makes sense:

    • 10kg added on the drawbar will result in the majority of this weight being transferred onto the car and only a small amount is added to the GTM (the front becomes heavier and wheels take less weight)

    • 10kg added over the axles should leave TBM much the same and add an expected 10kg to the GTM and ATM. (same weight distribution overall)

    • 10kg added on the rear bar of the van, may add 15kg to this area and reduce the TBM by 5kg. (The front becomes lighter and the rear takes the extra weight)

    It is worth noting that no 2 caravans will react in exactly the same way. The changes will depend on whether your van is single or dual axle and also on how far back the axles are positioned.

    Think of a child’s see-saw and how much difference is made when a child sits right at the end versus moving closer to the central point. In this case, the axle/s are the equivalent to the pivot point. The further weight is placed away from it/them, the greater the impact. 

    Included in our weighing session is a discussion about the best packing weight distribution for your set-up. We can make suggestions, based on the balance results, to optimise this for you. It might mean repositioning certain items inside and outside the caravan. The result will be a better-balanced load, safer handling and less wear overall.

  • Anyone who drives and/or tows will likely have noticed an increase in road rage-type situations in recent years.

    Whether you are driving through a capital city or heading along a remote development road, there will be times that you annoy other road users and times that they frustrate you. Our key advice is to try to prevent/reduce these situations, using our 10 tips:

    1. Always ensure driving mirrors are fully extended, to minimize blind spots and maximize visibility

    2. Install rear-facing cameras to your vehicle and caravan, if you can afford it. They provide additional sightlines, when driving and parking, which can improve decision making

    3. Plan your route where possible to avoid loss of focus whilst trying  to get from A to B

    4. Indicate and begin lane change manoeuvres early, to avoid last-minute pressure to merge on yourself or other lane users

    5. Actively watch for advisory signs, such as “Left lane ends in 500m” or “Right lane must turn”. Recruit your passengers to help with spotting and alert you to dangers/issues.

    6. Be aware of speed limits for the road you are on, especially if they are changing often. It is best not to travel too far below these limits, so aim to keep your speed appropriate for the conditions and road

    7. If you make a mistake, don't make a dangerous manoeuvre to try to fix it……drive on and turn further up or go around the block if needed

    8. Use a CB or similar radio if regularly using country roads, as this can advise you of accidents, wide loads or other potential issues

    9. Avoid driving for too long in one stretch, as fatigue will reduce your awareness and response to changes. Where possible, drive in daylight hours and avoid sunrise/sunset due to wildlife movement.  

    10. Allow plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front, especially in wet conditions or on unfamiliar roads, as big rigs take a while to stop!

    Following these basic rules may save your life and that of your passengers, so we encourage you to think honestly about whether you do these things. We also recommend driver education programs and towing instruction, even for those who have been doing it for years.

    Each of us can do better and play a small part in reducing road incidents and accidents.

  • Most caravaners know that tow ball weight is a key metric, for staying legal and staying safe. The accepted industry standard is between 9-11% of ATM for a full-size caravan and slightly less for lightweight Euro vans, camper trailers and small hybrids. 

    What fewer people know, is how significant tow ball height is for safety and stability. There are some directions for this, based on the Australian Design Regulations.

    They specify that your hitch must sit between 350mm to 460mm when using a standard 50mm ball. The rules differ for DO35/45 and other new style hitches. Our personal experience has been that many of the newer vehicles and also those with engineered upgrades, ride higher than this range. This means that they tow higher too.

    Our chief concern is that the car and caravan both sit at the same level. Having the hitched van and car towing level means that the weight is distributed evenly across all wheels. We worry when we see cars sagging at the back so that the caravan tilts forward (likely to reduce braking response and overall handling). Equally, we don't like to see cars riding so high that the caravan tilts backwards (increasing the risk of sway or reduced stability). 

    Changing the hitch height will have a direct impact on tow ball weight, so this must also be taken into account when altering the hitch height. Whether the TBM increases or decreases when you lift or lower the tow hitch, will depend on the axles under your van. Single-axle and tandem-axle vans respond differently, as do those with independent suspension. 


    Confused by the physics at play here? Don't be.

    We can work out the optimum hitched height for your rig and all you need to know is that it will be safer, more stable and cause less wear.

    For towing peace of mind and clarification of all things weights, book a session with us today!

  • Our clients were really nervous about being weighed, thinking they may have to replace their beloved tow vehicle to manage their new caravan.

    Yes, the car weights were fairly close to the manufacturer’s specifications, especially for the rear axle ratings. We worked with them on the day to reconfigure things, drop some unnecessary items and improve overall balance.

    The end result was a fully compliant car and van, with some spare capacity to make sure that the car didn't have to work too hard. We always recommend staying below 95% of specifications, where possible, for improved handling and wear.

    Our clients were very relieved and will travel with new confidence.

  • This is an issue we encounter often, as caravans get heavier all the time and the capacity of tow cars is not increasing at the same rate. Even the mainstays like Toyota Landcruisers, Nissan Patrols and Ford Rangers are built with GVM and axle ratings that just don't have the necessary capacity.

    They have heavy TARE weights and can quickly become overloaded when extra fuel, accessories, passengers and TBM are added. Paying between $75k and $130k does not always mean that your tow vehicle is up to the job.

    We speak with some personal experience on this score. After months of research, our choice of tug was a newish Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series. We knew all the weights for the car and caravan, so we made the purchase knowing we would upgrade asap. Despite having enough kg to get the job done, we wanted extra margin so we didn't have to worry.

    Our upgrade was performed by a reputable local engineering firm and we received all the VASS paperwork needed to register the increases with Vic Roads. Our car also got a shiny new compliance plate, showing the increased GVM, GCM and axle ratings.

    If you are thinking about upgrading your vehicle’s towing ability, these are our top tips:

    • Be clear about what you need. Do you need a Gross Vehicle Mass upgrade (the max your car can weigh, including TBM), a Gross Combined Mass (the maximum total weight of van and car together) or both?

    • Think about axle ratings. We often find that the rear axle ratings are not high enough to cope with the addition of tow ball mass, especially if it is a ute with a canopy. GVM/GCM upgrades will not necessarily change axle ratings, so ask the question.

    • Check what the exact kg changes will be, as there may be 2 levels. Choose the level of upgrade appropriate to your needs and balance this against the cost of the upgrade.

    • Make sure any changes will come with official certification, to verify the work that has been done and what the changed ratings are. This paperwork must be lodged with road authorities. Without this, you will still be considered overloaded if checked by road authorities or your insurer. We recommend taking copies with you when travelling.

    • Use a recognised upgrade company. Check their credentials, read reviews and do your homework before handing over your $$$ 

    • Finally, be aware that an upgrade will almost certainly mean your vehicle will sit higher (by as much as 10cm). If necessary, you may need to alter/upgrade the hitch height.

  • We flagged our membership of this professional body when we were first accepted in May 24. Since then, a number of clients have asked us what that means for them.

    We tell them that anyone thinking about having their caravan/car/trailer weighed should ONLY use a weighing service that is part of the MWAA.

    For our initial application to be considered, we needed to submit 3 weight reports for assessment. This meant that the calculations and mathematics sitting behind our results were checked by a respected industry Auto Engineer.

    Our practices and safety precautions were also part of the assessment. Mainly, this meant checking that we were using ramps to ensure all parts of the rig are weighed at the same level, weighing on suitable surfaces and staying within slope tolerances.

    We also had to show the use of high-vis vests and cones for everyone's safety, especially on public land. The final check was that Drive A Weigh had paperwork to substantiate the annual calibration of each of our scale pads and also our tow ball weigher.

    We were happy to get our own green ticks for compliance and this means our clients know they are getting the best possible weighing service.

    As the association develops, all members (and their clients) will also benefit from professional education programs, industry updates, new equipment and more.

    The caravan industry has had a reputation for operating largely unregulated and with some dubious practices.

    Drive A Weigh is proud to be helping make sure our own sector of the industry is operating to the highest standards and that our clients will benefit directly from this.

  • Most of our clients do a mixture of caravan parks and free camping (as we do). For those times when you want to avoid the crowds and do your own thing, here are our top tips to help you choose a great free camp. Our aim is always to leave the campsite better than we found it and avoid damage to our precious equipment.

    · If you are heading down narrow tracks to locate your special spot, have a plan to get out. We tend to walk in and do a recce of the access, before committing the car and van.

    · Look up as well as down, when travelling on tracks. This may save your van from scratches or your awning from being snagged, due to overhanging branches.

    · Be aware of the clearance of your van (especially fold away stairs), when judging access to a site (particularly if it involves water crossings).

    · Check the surface of the area where you intend to set up. Is it fairly level? Is it firm enough?

    · When parking near creeks or rivers, be sure that sudden rain will not encroach on your site. It is amazing how quickly water can “arrive” and surprise you, especially in the night.

    · Consider sun angles when setting up, if you have roof mounted solar panels. Shade is lovely, but may compromise how much power you can generate. Ideally, keep the non-fridge side to the sun, or use a second shade square to protect the fridge from overheating.

    · Avoid parking directly under big trees, in case branches or fruit fall on your van/car. This will also minimise corrosive bird poop on your caravan roof.

    · Check for ant nests (ground and tree level), as these can create massive problems. Green ants, in our experience, are very unwelcome visitors and hard to get rid of.

    · Consider how you will top up water and remove waste, if planning an extended stay. We carry a water bladder and a second toilet cassette, so we can go further out or stay longer.

  • We love weighing custom builds and seeing all the skill and attention that goes into building something for yourself. Our client has finished off his own caravan, with space inside for people and also some exciting “toys”. He is familiar with all the regulations and technical requirements, so our role was simply to check the final weights. We are now able to supply printed tickets, as part of our weights report, that can be used with road authorities for registration. If you are looking for VASS recognised tickets after modifications or for a new build, give us a call.

  • This was a two stage process for our local client.

    First we weighed his car, after some upgrades and engineering work were completed. Some weeks later, we weighed the van as well (separately and in combination).

    This tough little hybrid van is now all set up for adventure, with a roof hoist for small aquatic toys. The weights all checked out and our clients are ready for their Spring travels.

    Any modifications made to cars or vans can really impact insurance, balance, and weight compliance. We are always happy to play our part in checking the metrics, so our clients know exactly where they end up.

  • This is such an important process to get right. Even experienced caravanners sometimes get distracted and miss a step, possibly with dangerous or expensive consequences. When we started out, we made a “Pre-departure Checklist”, to ensure we were ready for each travel day. We still use this sometimes, especially when we are tired or if we haven’t used the van for a while. Each of us has specific jobs, but we also do a visual check of each other’s work, to be sure. Every van and hitch up will be different, but the basics are the same.

    · Don’t chat to people whilst you are doing your checks, it is too distracting.

    · Secure the inside of the van, ready to go (cupboards locked, bathroom door secured, shower screen locked, windows/hatches closed, toilet roll tied, shower head tied, loose items stowed, tv secured, slides in, pump off, gas off, fridge items stowed, fridge locked/switched over etc)

    · Check the outside of the van (levellers retracted, pop top down, windows closed, antenna down, steps up, cords/cables unplugged and stowed, water/waste pipes emptied and stowed, water fitting removed, gas switched off, flaps closed, hatches locked etc)

    · Check the van is hitched correctly, safety coupling is locked, safety chains and breakaway are attached to the car, and then take caravan handbrake off.

    · Remove/lift and secure jockey wheel.

    · Plug in all electrics and cabling for van braking, anti sway, cameras etc

    ·Test all lights and indicators are working correctly in a full walk around

    · Drive the car/van slightly forward of the empty site, to do a last check for any items that have been left behind.

  • Our clients are long-time caravaners, who have recently retired and upgraded to a new Crusader Nobleman. They tow with a Ranger Wildtrak, which was green for all legal metrics. The van was slightly over on the front axle group. It is worth noting, that this model of van has independent suspension, meaning that all 4 wheels work separately to share the load.

    Our results highlighted that the front 2 wheels were doing too much of the work. This could lead to increased wear and decreased handling, if not addressed.

    Our clients were able to fix this issue by redistributing weight on the day, so that the van will now perform as it should.

    These clients are now confident to head out for some long trips, knowing they are legal and that their van/car are well balanced. This is an example of how a professional weigh will give you more useful information, to protect yourselves and your investment.

  • This week we weighed 3 Pajero Sports, with their respective caravan combinations.

    Our initial concern with this rig, was the bikes on the drawbar. We often find that bikes and boxes, on the front, push tow ball mass too high. This time it was ok, and the issue was overall van weight (ATM). It was over the limits set by the manufacturer and means the client will need to reduce some packing weight.

    We encourage clients purchasing a new (or new to them) van to be aware of available payload, as it can impact how you plan to travel. Fortunately, this car was under its specifications and had room for some of that weight to be moved across. Problem solved, and our clients now understand how to keep their van and car safe and legal.

  • In addition to weighing cars, caravans, motorhomes, machinery and floats, we also weigh boats.

    A local marine repairer asked us to check out the weights of a 6.2m Edencraft and its custom boat trailer. Our scales are rated to 3t each, so a boat/trailer weighing in at 2966kg was no problem for us. It came up all green ticks for ATM, GTM, AGL and TBM.

    We are always glad to see people being careful with boat trailer weights, as anything that is registered and used for road travel must meet certain weight compliance criteria.

    This beautiful boat is now checked and appropriately weight matched to its trailer.

  • More and more often, we are weighing caravans that weigh more than the vehicle that tows them.

    Most of us can’t afford an American heavy ute (Chevy, RAM etc) or a large SUV (Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol etc). These typically weigh in well above 3000kg, so they usually outweigh the van sitting behind them. The most popular tow vehicles in Australia at the moment are the standard twin cab utes, such as Ranger, Isuzu, Hilux, Colorado etc. By contrast these usually weigh in at the 2500-3000kg range, so they are often lighter than the load they are dragging around.

    Frighteningly, Australia is one of the very few countries in the world where this is allowed. When I say allowed, I mean that you can legally do it, but only if all other metrics are within the manufacturer’s specifications ie. GVM, GCM, ATM etc. Basic physics tells us that it can’t be a good idea and is inherently unsafe and we would never advise our clients to do this. The centrifugal and other forces exerted by the caravan can push the car around and cause instability.

    Matching tow vehicle and caravan to each other appropriately, is critical for safety, regardless of whether the law mandates this. We urge you to check your weights, whether it is an existing setup, or you are considering purchasing, and ensure that your tow car is heavier than your van.

  • Yesterday, we were chatting with clients, whose story we want to share as a warning.

    They are long time caravaners, having owned several different car and van combinations over the years. Needless to say, they also have tons of experience towing. Having just retired, the couple were heading out for a big lap in an almost new car and van. An accident just out of Canberra, bought that trip to a sudden halt. There was water on the road and they failed to negotiate a bend.

    Fortunately, they were not injured, however their van and car were substantially damaged. The police took photos at the scene, which were later used as evidence. The remains of their car/van, were trucked to a repair centre by their insurer. The damaged van was weighed and found to be overloaded.

    As both van and car were deemed a write off, the clients had been expecting a sizeable payout, to set up again and resume their trip. Given the excess weight findings, their insurer declined payment and declared their insurance invalid for both car and van. This meant a personal loss of close to $250,000.

    Please don’t guess your weights, even if you have been caravanning or towing the same setup for years. The onus is on you to make sure that all aspects of your combination are within manufacturer’s specifications, so that you never find yourself in this position. Guessing just won’t cut it.

  • We love bringing our equipment to you and weighing at your home, wherever possible. To get accurate results, we just need the following:

    • A sealed surface, such as intact concrete, paving or bitumen. Weighing on heavily cracked surfaces, gravel or grass yields highly variable values, so we don’t ever do it.

    • A level surface (we check this with our Inclinometer) with no front/back or left/right tilt

    • A long enough area to drive the hitched van and car up onto scales and boards, so a few meters longer than your overall rig

    • A clear area, free of obstacles or debris, to set everything up

    If your home isn’t suitable, please don’t worry. We will suggest a local (to you) alternative and send a Google Maps pin, to make it easy to find. For safety, the area will be coned and signed for the duration of the weigh. As always, we aim to take the hassle out of weighing and make it as simple as possible for our clients. Any questions? Please phone us on 0401476948 or jump on our website and check out our FAQ’s.

  • Most people assume that lighter/smaller camping options don’t need to be weighed. The fact is that anything that tows or is being towed, should be checked.

    Camper trailers can be quite weighty, especially the more kitted out options like this one. Our client is towing with a Pajero Sport. This setup came up mostly green, but had a surprising red. The camper was over its GTM (the most weight that can sit on the axles), even though the axles were rated 700kg higher. We suggested that our clients contact the manufacturer to request a new compliance plate with a higher GTM/ATM rating, using the information in the report. This would solve the problem and restore towing peace of mind. 

  • This week, we delivered some bad news and some good news.

    The bad news was the car. Although older Toyota Landcruisers are heavy, strong tow vehicles, they came with much lower towing limits. The biggest concern was the tow hitch rating, which was limited to 2.5t and had been pulling closer to 3.5t. Our clients were also sad to find that the car had a lower BTC and GVM than they thought, and that they were significantly over on both.

    The good news was that their brand new van came up green ticks all round. As always, it is better to know what your real weights and limits are, than to guess. This information can be quite hard to track down (especially with older vehicles) and to stomach, but a professional weigh will at least give you the facts. 

  • Our client this week was a custom builder of small motorhomes and car licensed RV’s.

    They fit out Renaults, Mercedes, Toyota and Iveco bases, creating bespoke travel fit outs. These include showers, toilets, kitchens, storage, sleeping and seating options for life on the road.

    Such additions are not light, so we were asked to check the weights compliance for an almost complete current project. We gave them a complete vehicle report, checking against GVM, Front Axle and Rear Axle maximum specifications.

    It amazed us how many conveniences could be included in a relatively small space, whilst still getting green ticks for weight compliance. The lucky owner will be well kitted out for off grid touring & know their custom vehicle is compliant.

  • This is a topic we see debated regularly, especially on social media. Let me start by saying that both have value, and both are better than guessing your weights. Now, let’s look at the merits of each.

    Weighbridges can give you reasonably accurate data for your vehicle (GVM, GCM, front and rear axles) and caravan (ATM, GAL, calculated TBM). This may be provided via printed tickets or a brief report, depending on which weighbridge service you use. The onus is on you to tow the van there and to move it around on the bridge, to obtain the information. Time may be limited, if there are other users waiting. It is up to you to figure out what the data means and what to do with it.

    A mobile weigh service, such as Drive A Weigh, will come to your home or a suitable local location. We then handle the weighing process of the car, the caravan and the combination over a period of 1.5 - 2 hours. The tow ball weight is measured (rather than calculated,) using a professional tow ball scale. When a WDH device is being used, we do an additional weigh to cover the changes it generates. This is all detailed in a clear report, which covers all the metrics shown above. We go further to provide data relating to balance (left to right and front to back for both car and van), which is critical for safety, wear and handling.  When there are concerns, we can provide professional advice to resolve problems on the day and who to speak to when there is no quick fix. There is a follow up chat a few days later, to check for understanding and answer any further questions. These are all extras, giving you a more comprehensive picture of your weights. 

    Most of the combinations we weigh are worth between $60,000 and $200,000. The question then becomes, is it worth spending $275 to check that your significant investment is weight legal, that insurance cover applies and that it is safe to drive/tow? Only you can decide, but we recommend that you check, rather than guess, whichever weighing option you choose.

  • We compiled this blog post with input from our own loveable pup, Annie. She has travelled with us from the time she was a tiny puppy, seeing and sniff testing much of Australia.

    There are a few things we have learned along the way, that we hope will be helpful for those of you who have furry family members. These are our top tips:

    1. Purchase a strong harness and car attachment, so that your dog is securely anchored, within the vehicle.

    2. Travel with a collapsible silicon bowl and spare water bottle in the car and allow regular rest stops.

    3. We use an “Expandable Dog Car Window Vent” to allow fresh air into the car, but prevent access from the outside (around $25 and one of the best buys we have made)

    4. Keep your pup in the car until you are fully parked up, to ensure they are never under a moving van or car (there is always so much going on, when you first arrive and set up)

    5. Beware of bait use when travelling. Sometimes there will be poison warning signs, but not always. We never let Annie off lead in bush areas, much to her disgust.

    6. Using a short lead when walking will also limit the risk of snake bite. We had a close call with a large Tiger snake (right next to the path at Mallacoota) and it was only the short lead that stopped her getting bitten.

    7. If you want to explore activities that are not dog friendly, consider a free pup sit swap with nearby travellers or find reputable local animal sitters via the caravan park.

    8. Please be aware of heat issues for your pup. Keep them cool with fans and wet towels in extreme temperatures, walk early in the day and don’t leave them in the car/van unattended.

    When we first started travelling many years ago, having a dog was highly restrictive. Now most caravan parks welcome pets and so do many other venues. We can’t imagine not taking Annie with us and feel confident that, with a bit of thought, you will easily manage travelling with your dog.

  • As the Victorian Winter starts to bite, many of you will be planning to hitch up and head North. Before you leave, there are a few things to check, so that your trip is hassle-free and safe. 

    Firstly, we recommend booking a professional weighing session, to look at the weight compliance and overall balance of your car and caravan. We have weighed vans that are technically legal, but so poorly balanced that they were a high accident risk, so this is essential to be aware of. Next, we suggest you perform the following checks, either yourself or using a caravan specialist:

    Check the age & condition of tyres (inflation level, tread and sidewall), including the spare.

    Check brakes, wheel bearings and wheel nut tension

    Clean and refill water tanks (if you travel with water)

    Check gas bottle levels and overall condition. Change bottles, if needed

    Check you have the tools and accessories for running repairs (silicon, cable ties, 100-mile-an-hour tape, fuses etc)

    Check globes in all vehicle and caravan lights (replace if needed and carry spares)

    Check closers on doors, windows and hatches, making sure they are not brittle/sun damaged and likely to give way

    Check cables for safety systems and cameras are all operational

    Make sure you allow time before a big trip to check these things so that you don’t end up with problems that could spoil your holiday.

  • Our Beaconsfield clients use this capable setup to travel to a lot of remote destinations, often off the blacktop. 

    The Patrol is a heavy tow vehicle, so it needed a bit of weight moved across to the caravan to achieve compliance. This weight had to be placed close to the caravan axles, so as not to then make the tow ball weight too heavy. The payload of the Malibu is generous, so it easily achieves all green compliance ticks. We encourage anyone considering a caravan purchase to look at how much payload is really available, as it can have a significant impact on your travels and peace of mind. Watching every kg is hard work and most of us want to travel with some comforts and gadgets. These clients can do just that, knowing that they are still well under the Malibu maximum specifications for GTM and Group Axle Load. 

    If you are not sure how to work out your payload, jump on our website for the explanation and terminology breakdown.

  • This week we met new clients in Yallourn and weighed their Ford Ranger and Franklin Core combination. 

    The caravan was nearly at capacity, so they will need to pack carefully and some gear will now be moved to the back of the car. The next step for this couple was to be the installation of several after-market accessories for the Ranger, including a canopy, drawers etc. 

    They now know exactly what their hitched and unhitched car weights are, including front and rear axles and GVM. This gives them the information to calculate what accessories and added packing they can accommodate, without getting too close to the manufacturer’s maximum specifications. We welcome this approach, rather than fitting/moving all the gear and then realising the car is over GVM and having to remove it. 

    As always, we also encourage clients to end up well below maximum specifications, for better handling and wear.

  • Our Mt Martha clients are heading off around Australia soon, with their young family. They already have a tow vehicle and wanted to check its weight and capacity before going further. 

    They now have the information to make decisions about what kind of caravan they can purchase, given the limits of GVM and GCM. Options will include purchasing a smaller/lighter van, possible vehicle upgrades or even changing the vehicle itself. 

    We encourage anyone who is looking at purchasing a van to do their homework first. Don’t go shopping until you know what you can safely tow. It is best to use one of the many online tow capacity calculators to decide what will work for you, rather than just the BTC of your vehicle. The calculators allow you to enter your car specifications and actual weights, to determine what capacity remains for towing. 

    Many people think it is about the length of the van you are considering, but what matters is the weight. We are happy to have helped our clients towards safer decisions about their setup for long-term travel.

  • We have learned some quick tips for caravan cleaning so that you can spend time enjoying the scenery instead. These are our top 5:

    Invest in dirt-trapping mats, both outside the van and inside the step area. We have used the expensive ones and the cheap knockoffs, it is your choice. They can be hosed off and brushed off regularly to keep sand and mud out of the van itself. 

    Biodegradable wipes are so handy in the van. We use antiseptic ones to wipe the loo and bathroom floor daily, keeping it clean and sweet-smelling. Be sure to bin them and not flush them though.

    For all other cleaning, we use a general-purpose eco cleaner. This saves on weight and stuff to store when travelling, as you can use one small pump bottle for most jobs. 

    A small dust buster type of vacuum (rechargeable) will take care of the floor, or you can use the plastic wet broom from Kmart. 

    A dark-coloured light-weight blanket (as thin as possible) is great to cover the bed. It saves us from having to change the sheets as often and stops a lot of dog muck/red dust from showing up.

  • Even after a professional weigh-session, monitoring how much weight you add back in over time is important. It creeps up quickly!

    We suggest that clients create a simple spreadsheet. Anything that is taken into the van gets weighed on the bathroom scales (placed at the van door) and added to the sheet. Anything that is removed from the van, gets taken off the spreadsheet. This sheet only takes minutes to set up or update, giving you an accurate picture of your current weight at any point in time. If you have added any major after-market accessories to the van, it may be time to ask for a reweigh.

    People often say that they are not sure about what to take or leave out when packing. We recommend using little coloured stickers from Kmart or Officeworks. Stick them on items you are unsure about and note the date. Once you use an item in the van, remove the sticker. Any items that still have stickers at 3 months or 6 months, might be ones you could manage without. Using the sticker technique will help you make solid decisions about the ‘might need’ items so that you don’t have unnecessary payload. Extra weight = extra fuel, which nobody wants.

    Think seriously about placing extra weight on the rear bumper of your van, especially significant weight, such as bike racks. Even a couple of jerry cans and some firewood can add up. Weight placed so far behind the axles is heavier than if it was placed at the centre of your van. Think of childhood see-saws to make sense of this. Weight is better placed directly over the axles themselves.

    You may also use the front drawbar, but be wary of increasing tow ball mass too much, with heavy items. Professional advice might be needed if you are fitting heavy accessories, to make sure you are not affecting balance.

  • We have learned some hacks as we travel, to protect the caravan and ourselves from those really hot days. None of these tips cost much money, so why not try these for yourself…

    Install a shade sail track on the offside, to keep the sun off the fridge/vent area. It is an easy DIY job, takes only seconds to slide some shade sail in and can keep the van much cooler. It also provides extra privacy if you are in tight camp spots.

    Purchase some tyre covers from any auto store (or online) and slip them over your van tyres when you are parked up, especially when not using an awning. This minimises solar damage to the tyre walls and takes only seconds to remove and stow in a hatch when you are heading off again. Tyres are pricey, so best to protect them, where possible.

    Consider an awning “bag”. There are several companies in QLD, making them fit the exact length of your awning. The bag straps over and covers the awning, in between uses. It reduces solar damage (and even hail damage) to the canvas. It may extend your awning life significantly and will pay for itself.

    Roof hatches are often fairly large, and allow a lot of direct sunshine/heat through, even when the concertina blind is pulled across. Try cutting up windscreen sunshades and placing them in the space between the hatch and the blind, reflecting heat up and out. It is amazing how much cooler the van becomes, even on the hottest days.

  • Despite now being Australia’s most popular tow vehicle, we often find the older Ford Rangers come up red, especially if they have a canopy and aftermarket accessories.

    Recently, we weighed a 2016 Ranger and newly purchased Trackmaster Nullabor caravan. We expected the van to push the limits, as being a full off-road rig usually means it is going to be heavy. It turned out to be green ticks all round, with axle load capacity to spare.

    The Ranger was not such good news – over on GVM, GCM, front axle and rear axle maximum specifications. Even with an engineered upgrade, the car would still come in slightly too heavy. Removal of some packing load and accessories would probably bring them just under the upgraded GVM/GCM, but they would still be travelling very close to maximum capacity. They can, but the question is whether they should?

    In this situation, a new tow vehicle may be the safest option, though sadly it will not be the cheapest. The client will now do the sums for the cost and specifications of a new tow vehicle. Tough decisions ahead, but at least the weigh confirmed their suspicions that their current car was not up to the task.

  • This week we weighed a Jeep Grand Cherokee and Paramount combination for our clients. The Paramount was green ticks and compliant against all the metrics GTM, ATM, axle ratings and tow ball mass. Sadly, the Jeep was over the manufacturer’s specifications with GVM, with the car hitched. It was also well over the rear axle ratings.

    Our suggestion was to seek professional advice from upgrade specialists, to find out whether this was a realistic or economical option for them. It was also complicated by the Jeep having rear airbags installed. These car weight issues can sometimes be improved by using a weight distribution hitch to move weight off the rear axle of the car and onto the front axle of the car. The use of such a device can negatively impact the caravan and car chassis and also your warranties/insurance. We are not engineers, so we advised our clients to also seek technical information from Jeep and check with their insurer before deciding their next steps.

  • Our clients tow with a Mazda BT250 and have recently had an Evernew caravan built for them. Interestingly, they were originally going to go up 2 feet in caravan length, believing they needed the extra space. The salesman explained that the slightly smaller/lighter van would be a better match with their tow vehicle and still meet their needs. How right he was, and how refreshing to hear about a salesman with weight awareness.

    This combination is spot on, with green ticks for car, caravan and in combination. The ratio of tow vehicle to caravan weight was also really pleasing. The ratio is not a legal requirement, but we believe it is really important from a safety perspective. Our clients have the payload for longer trips and can tow confidently, knowing they are still well below capacity.

  • We have all had those days where positioning your car and van in a tight spot seems like mission impossible. Despite having done it thousands of times, we still sometimes get it wrong and have to go back to basics. Being tired is a contributing factor, so try to stick to the rule of 3. No more than 300km in a day, no more than 3 straight hours in the car and be in by 3 pm. This certainly reduces the stress when you arrive at the destination. Once you do, these are our top tips for successful parking:

    Both driver and passenger get out and have a good look at the area. Identify any obstacles or issues and work out a plan of approach.

    Use handheld walkie-talkies, the UHF radio handset or your mobile phones to communicate. This is so much better than shouting at each other over engine noise etc.

    Agree on your terminology (E.G. the passenger side/driver side is better than left/right) this helps to avoid confusion.

    The passenger (or person assisting) should be positioned to the rear of the area, well outside of the targeted parking pad. If possible, they should be visible in the driver’s mirrors, but the key issue is being safe, with several escape routes.

    If other caravanners come up and want a chat, politely say that you will chat with them later. We have found this well-meaning disruption can really put us off our game, at a high-pressure time.

    Finally, stay calm (if possible!) Sometimes it just needs another go, from a slightly different angle of approach. We all get there in the end, with small adjustments and a bit of patience.

  • Most combinations we weigh are “red” (over manufacturer maximum specifications) in one or more key areas. It might be that they are a little over ATM on the van or a little over GVM on the car. We spend time on the day, looking at what can be removed or swapped to achieve compliance and bring them into the “green”.

    This usually means reducing packing load, reducing water tank fill level, swapping for lighter gas bottles, removing bike racks/jerry cans etc. Any/all of these steps can help ensure a report with green ticks against key metrics. So far, so good? What it doesn’t do though, is solve the issues that may arise when you constantly tow too close to maximum capacity.

    Doing so increases wear on key components, reduces vehicle handling and can still negatively impact safety. In line with the CIA recommendations, we suggest our clients aim for a set-up at around 80% of the manufacturer’s maximum specifications. We also appreciate how hard this can be to achieve, with modern heavy vans and increasing use of utes as tow vehicles. Reducing unneeded packing and accessories is the key step in reducing costs and risks over the long term. We encourage our clients to see available payload as a bonus and not something to immediately fill up. Having that spare capacity is ideal.

    We all want to see rigs that are legal, but also sustainable, in every sense.

  • We weighed a handsome combination for local clients, a new Essential caravan, towed by a Ford Ranger. Both car and caravan were legal, with green ticks against all key metrics.

    We love being able to deliver such good news and we also love knowing our clients can head off to travel safely. Just as importantly, they will now have valid insurance on both car and van.

    Many people don’t realise that insurance companies are unlikely to pay out if either tow vehicle or trailer is found to be over the manufacturer’s specifications. This could mean $150k+ at risk!

    Protect your passengers and your valuable investment by checking weights initially and then rechecking if you make any significant changes to the set-up. It is always better to know!

  • This week we had a Toyota Hilux and a Jayco Outback on the scales. Unfortunately, both the car and van were over some of the manufacturer’s maximum specifications. We often find utes are too heavy on the GVM and rear axle (especially when towing larger vans), and this was the case. The van was a little over ATM too, so some packing load will need to be taken out.

    As always, we talked to our clients about options, both the things they can do themselves and also some more significant 3rd party changes/upgrades. This set-up looked fine in theory, a ute with 3500kg BTC towing a van with 2500kg ATM. It is a comment we hear often, where clients believe these numbers mean their setup must be Okay.

    Our weight checks prove that it is much more complex, with many other factors that need to be taken into account, to ensure legality and safety. We are always happy to explain the bigger picture!

  • Before heading interstate, our client was keen to check the weights on his Mitsubishi Triton and Jurgens Lunagazer combo. The ute came up all green ticks, with plenty of spare kilograms. Both ATM and GTM on the caravan were slightly over, so we moved some weight back into the ute to ensure compliance.

    Beric also spoke to our client about taking out some more ‘might need’ or ‘don’t need’ items too, to bring the van further below maximum capacity. The industry recommendation is to sit around 80% of the manufacturer’s maximum specifications, for both the car and the van, so that neither is working too hard. This is not always possible, but we can suggest ways to get closer to it. For our clients, this will mean safety and peace of mind. Extra benefits are better handling, less wear and improved fuel economy.

  • It’s weigh day for this Landcruiser 200 series, towing a brand new Goldstream Panther.

    Our clients are setting off on an outback adventure and wanted to check their weights. We had to deliver the bad news that the Landcruiser was over its’ GVM and Rear Axle Rating.They had already made some professional modifications and are now having the car re-plated, which will make them legal.

    The good news was that the caravan was all green ticks, beautifully balanced and with plenty of payload. They can now head off for their trip safely!

  • It is so tempting to take more gear than you really need when you head off in your van. After so many trips, long and short, here are our top tips:

    1. Two for one:

    Try to make sure that items have more than one use. A van step can also serve as a coffee/drinks table. A plastic bowl can work for both preparing and serving food. A large bucket can be used to wash in and then later to carry or store loose items. Even cleaning products can be reduced by choosing those that can be used for several jobs.

    2. Tons of tubs:

    We use tubs for storing so many things. They help you to group similar items so that stuff stays organised. We have one for maintenance items, one for beach gear and another for all our set up items. Label them well to save time rummaging through tub after tub looking for a specific item. Use the smallest size you can, so they are easier to lift out from under the bed or out of hatches. Putting nonslip matting down also prevents tubs and other items moving too much in transit.

    3. Don’t stock up:

    Unless you are heading off somewhere very remote for a long time, try to avoid packing too much food. Keep meals simple rather than hauling a complete pantry and substitute where you don’t have a specific ingredient. This also has the benefit of supporting local businesses as you travel. We bulk cook “all in one” meal options and then freeze portions in bags. This reduces weight and provides quick options for when we can’t be bothered cooking.

    4. Middle heavy:

    Always store the heaviest items (cans/appliances/books/tools etc) over the axles. We also avoid loading heavy items too far towards the front or rear of the van. It is best to only store very light items in the overhead lockers, like sheets/towels/clothes. This is for towing stability and to reduce issues if cupboard locks/drawers fail whilst driving.

    5. Weight check:

    A simple way to manage packing weight is to have the bathroom scales handy and weigh tubs, bags and bulky items as you pack. Jot the numbers down on a list or in a spreadsheet and prepare to be shocked. Toiletries are heavy, food is heavy and tools are really heavy! Packing for a family will quickly use up even a large payload of 400kg plus, unless you pack carefully.

    At Drive A Weigh we are happy to assist by identifying your available payload (in the van and the car) and advising how best to use it. Contact us for a full report before you next head out on the road.

  • Today we weighed the newest addition for UTow, in Somerville. They run a fleet of hire caravans and also provide pre-purchase inspections, servicing and upgrades.

    We hope to assist UTow by weighing their own and their customer’s caravans, prior to pick up. The aim is to eliminate or manage weight and balance issues that exist from manufacture.

    This will be an important safety service and hopefully prevent stress and further costs with vans that are not as ordered or as specified. If you are thinking about buying a new or used caravan, consider using Drive A Weigh and UTow together, so that you have all the facts about weights and condition. What is on the caravan compliance plate is sometimes inaccurate (in our experience) or may vary significantly from what was agreed at the start of the purchase process.

    Your possible purchase can be thoroughly inspected by UTow and weighed by Drive A Weigh, with full reports from both checks. It’s better (and cheaper) to get it right from the start.

  • We weighed an Isuzu DMax and Jayco Silverline 25 combination recently. Fortunately, our clients had already taken our advice and had a GVM/GCM upgrade done on the DMax. This resulted in green ticks all around, except a slightly heavy tow ball mass. We made recommendations to rectify this (redistributing weight between the car and van, and also moving some weight over caravan axles) and then re-checked it.

    Our clients are now safe and ready to set off for their regular Queensland winter trip, knowing that they will pass a roadside weight check.

  • Motorhomes often turn out to be too heavy, given that you only have one payload, not two. Our clients also tow a Suzuki Jiminy, on a professionally fitted frame. They were surprised at how close to the maximum GVM the motorhome was and are now making some decisions to reduce their payload.

    Their setup scored 9 green ticks for compliance, but they now know how careful they will need to be with packing weight to stay under. For those planning to be Nomads, this knowledge is essential for safety, legality and insurance. There are a lot of important reasons to make certain all your weights are right, especially when it is your home.

  • Our clients asked us to weigh their Isuzu Mux and brand-new Mars camper. They are weight savvy and had an idea they might be close to their limits. They were right, with the car over GVM and the camper over ATM. On a couple of other metrics, they were around 96-98% of the manufacturer’s specifications.

    We talked to our clients about these findings and recommended they avoid travelling so close to the maximum ratings. It is legal but can impact handling, safety, wear and more. Our clients will now look at upgrades to address these issues, so they can travel with confidence and peace of mind.

    Professional advice is all part of the service at Drive A Weigh!

  • Ideally, all new caravans, campers and motorhomes should be weighed at the point of pick up from the manufacturer or dealer. This would allow you to check the TARE weight is as shown on the compliance plate and also that it is as agreed in the contract of sale. The risk, if you don’t check, is finding out too late that the payload of your new van is not fit for purpose.

    For those purchasing a second-hand van, you may also weigh before finalising the sale or immediately after to check what you have bought is compliant. This will of course include how it pairs with your existing tow vehicle and the overall Gross Combined Mass limits.

    For caravan owners making significant modifications to your existing set up, a weigh (or reweigh) might be in order, to make sure that you are still within specifications. Bike racks, extra panels, added BBQ slides and upgraded fridges can all add significant weight to your trailer mass.

    Finally, if you are changing tow vehicles, this will impact some of the metrics we check and may alter whether your overall set up is still legal. In short, when you are starting out or making significant changes, it is a small price to know that your weights and balances have been professionally checked. There is nothing worse than realising that the car you own cannot tow your new (to you) van or that the van itself is not legal. Buyer beware!

  • Our customer has recently imported a 24 foot boat from the USA, which he will be using professionally for fishing around Australia. Boats are just as susceptible to weight and balance concerns as caravans, and experience many of the same issues when being towed.

    Our customer mentioned a colleague, whose boat was weighed at a roadside check in NSW, and found to be over specifications. He was prevented from towing further and incurred significant costs to resolve this issue and get his boat home safely. Our client’s concern was to check his own boat and trailer weights, so that this couldn’t happen to him! He also now has a full understanding of his weights, ready to make a decision about a new tow vehicle. The size of this boat and trailer will mean possible professional GVM/GCM upgrades, even with a highly rated tow vehicle.

    We used our own vehicle to move the boat/trailer up onto the scales. Both boat and trailer were well within manufacturer specifications, so it will soon be out on the water. There was some serious envy going on with this weighing job and Beric is keen to accept the kind offer of a day out on the bay. Perks of the job, yes?

  • Sometimes we have to deliver bad news, even though we hate doing it. Our customers may feel they are close to the limits, but it can still be a shock to find they are significantly heavier than anticipated.

    This week we weighed a ute with a canopy and small boat on top, towing a mid size van. The ute GVM was 12% over the manufacturer specifications, even after some adjustments and reductions in load. Of greater concern, was the ute’s rear axle, that was 24% over the specs. This could have been a disaster, from a safety, insurance and handling point of view. Our customer will now have to make some tough decisions.

    If you use a canopy ute (especially as your tow vehicle), we encourage you to check your GVM, axle ratings and balances asap. It gives the opportunity to make changes if you need to, to ensure compliance. On the good news front, the van was well balanced, with green ticks all round.