We recently weighed ours as part of getting the roadworthy cert to get it registered in NSW from ACT. We took out everything, emptied the water tanks, and it turned out that the compliance plate was correct to within 1 kg. Not bad.

The problem was that the dealer (Jayco Queanbeyan) had registered it in the ACT when new at 300kg's less than stated on the compliance plate. We sent them a letter about this, haven't had a reply.

The lesson learned is to check the compliance plate with the weight written on the vans registration slip when buying a new caravan, and put it over the scales empty when new too.

A good mate of mine recently stripped his van of 12 months from new, back to " as it leaves the factory" and had it weight at the weighbridge. And yes, he added the net weight of the 2 large gas bottles and the weight came up 120KG above the Tare weight displayed on the van plate. He said it will cost him $80 plus dollars to have the campany issue a new plate. Also emptied the 2 water tanks. Nothing in the boot or under the bed, all the extras were on the flo0r of the garage, including food and personal clothing etc etc even the WDH"s were taken off at weigh time.
So how accurate are these manufactures with their compliance plates. 
I think we are all a bit apprehensive of the fact that at time we may be overweight.
I did a rough sums on my gear and I am struggling to met the net weight of 470KG.
May have to leave my beloved golf clubs at home. Now that would be disasterous.
How do you reckon you fare in this matter of weight.
Jay&Dee

One that many forget is to also drain the HWS and the toilet header tank if applicable.

The majority of manufactures don't have weighbridge facilities on the premises.
Some use a public weighbridge for all their vans, some weigh one of each model and then roughly calculate any addition or omissions for latter builds.
Unfortunately a few Kg here and there can add up to a significant amount.
The most alarming are the cowboys who just guestimate the mass of the van.

You should also note the following and point it out to any manufacturer who is way out on their declared/stamped Tare Mass.
Ozjohn.

Manufactures who plate vans with an inaccurate TARE MASS may very well be committing an offence 'Weights & Measures Act'.
False declaration as to measures, weights, etc
"No person shall, by means of words, description, or other indication, direct or indirect, make any false declaration or statement, or wilfully mislead any person as to the number, quantity, measure, gauge, or weight of any articles sold or delivered by him".

We purchased our van from Van Cruiser in Carrum Downs, Vic.  He also supplied a weighbridge docket with the van paperwork.  

Noel

Thanks Jules.  Actually I have been a silent eavesdropper for quite a while, and gained a heap of knowledge, just hadn't got around to putting pen to paper.

Noel & Vicki 

jules47 wrote:

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Yep - a lot of people "lurk" for a while, then join in when something comes up that interests them. I, too, am originally from the Mornington Peninsula - still got family down there, but too cold for me these days!

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 Last time we were in the area we visited a lovely couple that we met on an overseas trip.

They each play golf 2 days a week, but at different golf clubs.

I was amazed at the number of golf clubs on the peninsula.

Beautiful place & beautiful people.

John

We are currently going thru weight problems with the van and as it turns out

we can change the weights that are marked on the vin plate fairly easily.

BUT what intrigues me the most is the weighing of the van "empty" as you say no gas no water ,

and then they come up with a figure of 400kg which include 200kg of water and gas,the extra 200kg is for

everything else !  when I queried them they said as a rule of thumb Single axles 300kg and Duel axles 400kg

even though the chassis is capable to 2900kg we are having ours moved to2720kg which gives us an extra

600kg in total, hopefully not using all that .

Rebards   Brian    BAB600  

Hi All

We brought our 2008 Supreme Spirit 2nd hand private seller who on meeting trusted what he had to say, may I add in 2 years 7 months latter we are still enjoying Pizza (the caravan) to top it off coming home last week from enjoying Inskip Point near rainbow Beach here in Qld. we decided after being involved in a discussion about caravan weights to weigh the Pizza and once again we were not disappointed with the out come.

Our van has a gross trailer mass of 2000 kgs, tyres rated @ 1140 each, big axle and bearing well over gtm, which I can't find written anywhere at the moment but it's something like 2500 kgs. rated. The van is 17 feet 6 inches long single axle.

At the weigh bridge grossed at 1974 kgs. Rego specifies 1974 kgs. with a tare weight of 1674 kgs.

ball weight  194 kgs.

Now I know I was not loaded with total full tank of water and the gass bottles were not completely full but close enough.

On most days we will be travelling well with in the law and some a shade over but then with say a 10% give or take I will be happy.

One last thing, we are very happy with our Pizza and would  recommend to anyone check Supreme out when looking for a replacement caravan. Cheers