These are my rigs weights (in kgs) as tested at the Kerang weighbridge fully loaded car and caravan including 200L water, driver and half a fuel tank:
Front axle - 1200
Whole car (including caravan on towball) - 2900
Rear axle = 2900 - 1200 = 1700
Caravan when attached to car - 2760
Solo car 2600
Towball = 2900 - 2600 = 300
----
Relationship to Holden Trailblazer LT specs:
Front axle 1450 (in spec)
Rear axle 1600 (over by 100kg)
GVM 2820 (over by 80kg)
GCM 5700 (in spec)
----
Relationship to caravan specs:
GTM 2755 (over by 5kg)
ATM 2873 (over by 187)
----
Conclusion:
Nothing here to worry about.
I'll lighten the towball weigh because I think 300 is a bit high and I do have a few more things in the front locker than I should - eg a log splitter!
Currently I have a stack of accumulated tin food from which I could probably lose 20kg and I really do need to do a good spring clean which will probably lose another 25kg.
The 187 over on the caravan is not going to break its chassis and that's my worst transgression.
Overall... I'm a happy bunny :)
----
Edit: minor calculation error.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Friday 21st of April 2023 08:06:01 PM
yobarr said
05:33 PM Apr 21, 2023
Mike Harding wrote:
These are my rigs weights (in kgs) as tested at the Kerang weighbridge fully loaded car and caravan including 200L water, driver and half a fuel tank:
Front axle - 1200
Whole car (including caravan on towball) - 2900
Rear axle = 2900 - 1200 = 1700
Caravan when attached to car - 2760
Solo car 2600
Towball = 2900 - 2600 = 300
----
Relationship to Holden Trailblazer LT specs:
Front axle 1450 (in spec)
Rear axle 1600 (over by 100kg)
GVM 2820 (over by 80kg)
GCM 5700 (in spec)
----
Relationship to caravan specs:
GTM 2755 (in spec)
ATM 2873 (over by 187)
----
Conclusion:
Nothing here to worry about.
I'll lighten the towball weigh because I think 300 is a bit high and I do have a few more things in the front locker than I should - eg a log splitter!
Currently I have a stack of accumulated tin food from which I could probably lose 20kg and I really do need to do a good spring clean which will probably lose another 25kg.
The 187 over on the caravan is not going to break its chassis and that's my worst transgression.
Overall... I'm a happy bunny :)
Hi Mike. Must say that it is most unusual to have ATM that is less GTM (2873-187=2686kg).
Your (cakculated) ATM is 2686kg BUT your GTM is 2755kg. Very strange.
Very tired at moment, having just driven Sydney to mid Western Australia, but I'll study figures later.
Well done for taking the time to check. Cheers
watsea said
07:26 PM Apr 21, 2023
yobarr,
You must tired.
I think Mike said:
Weight of the loaded van was 300kg + 2,760kg = 3.060kg
Spec ATM = 2,873kg,
So van exceeds ATM by 187kg.
Mike may confirm.
Mike Harding said
07:59 PM Apr 21, 2023
Yep, that's my understanding Watsea.
I double checked the caravan plate this evening and my quoted numbers are correct.
My understanding is:
ATM = maximum weight of the entire trailer including jockey wheel standing solo on the weighbridge.
GTM = maximum weight on the axles of the trailer with the tow hitch being supported by a vehicle off the weighbridge.
In reality I suspect the numbers provided by caravan manufacturers have a large guess content to them as I'm not aware of any of them doing sophisticated stress tests upon their chassis and, in any event, how do they control the welding?
Possum3 said
08:17 AM Apr 22, 2023
Mike, for a long term caravanner you have done well.
If you are aware of a "Mermaid" ahead, just drop your water.
Possum3 said
08:19 AM Apr 22, 2023
For those that are unaware of Mermaid - Politely; an Official with scales.
Mike Harding said
08:20 PM Apr 22, 2023
Thanks Possum3, yes I was quite pleased with those weights. Nothing to be safety/handling concerned about I think.
These are my rigs weights (in kgs) as tested at the Kerang weighbridge fully loaded car and caravan including 200L water, driver and half a fuel tank:
Front axle - 1200
Whole car (including caravan on towball) - 2900
Rear axle = 2900 - 1200 = 1700
Caravan when attached to car - 2760
Solo car 2600
Towball = 2900 - 2600 = 300
----
Relationship to Holden Trailblazer LT specs:
Front axle 1450 (in spec)
Rear axle 1600 (over by 100kg)
GVM 2820 (over by 80kg)
GCM 5700 (in spec)
----
Relationship to caravan specs:
GTM 2755 (over by 5kg)
ATM 2873 (over by 187)
----
Conclusion:
Nothing here to worry about.
I'll lighten the towball weigh because I think 300 is a bit high and I do have a few more things in the front locker than I should - eg a log splitter!
Currently I have a stack of accumulated tin food from which I could probably lose 20kg and I really do need to do a good spring clean which will probably lose another 25kg.
The 187 over on the caravan is not going to break its chassis and that's my worst transgression.
Overall... I'm a happy bunny :)
----
Edit: minor calculation error.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Friday 21st of April 2023 08:06:01 PM
Hi Mike. Must say that it is most unusual to have ATM that is less GTM (2873-187=2686kg).
Your (cakculated) ATM is 2686kg BUT your GTM is 2755kg. Very strange.
Very tired at moment, having just driven Sydney to mid Western Australia, but I'll study figures later.
Well done for taking the time to check. Cheers
You must tired.
I think Mike said:
Weight of the loaded van was 300kg + 2,760kg = 3.060kg
Spec ATM = 2,873kg,
So van exceeds ATM by 187kg.
Mike may confirm.
Yep, that's my understanding Watsea.
I double checked the caravan plate this evening and my quoted numbers are correct.
My understanding is:
ATM = maximum weight of the entire trailer including jockey wheel standing solo on the weighbridge.
GTM = maximum weight on the axles of the trailer with the tow hitch being supported by a vehicle off the weighbridge.
In reality I suspect the numbers provided by caravan manufacturers have a large guess content to them as I'm not aware of any of them doing sophisticated stress tests upon their chassis and, in any event, how do they control the welding?
If you are aware of a "Mermaid" ahead, just drop your water.
Thanks Possum3, yes I was quite pleased with those weights. Nothing to be safety/handling concerned about I think.