2016 was bad year for caravan rollovers. While not all of these accidents were caused by overweight caravans it is good bet that this may well have contributed to many of them in some way. Police in Victoria and other States are currently stopping many vans and weighing them. The purpose of this, at this stage, is educational. However, it will not be long before the focus will shift from education to prosecution.
This got me thinking "where do I stand?", "Is my caravan over the limit?", "Am I exceeding my GVM?".
I mentioned this a friend on a Face Book Group for Retreat Caravan Owners, (John Halford, a man who has a very good understanding of how to use Excel), if he had considered developing a tool to help calculate loads. He had, and the result is an excellent multi worksheet spreadsheet that allows the user to determine not only the weight of the loads, but even better, it will show what impact on the ball weight placing an item in a given position will have. This is done by taking measurements of the various storage location from the centre of the axle (single or double axle) and using this measurement to calculate impacts.
The Calculator has provision for recording all individual items in the van, including Boot, and Under Bed Storage, Water,. You enter a description of the item (eg., food), the weight of the item (kgs) and the position of this item. The details are transferred to the weights table where the measurement of impact on ball is shown.
It is important to know your starting measurements. These are taken from the Compliance Plate of the Van and Tug. These are recorded in the Calculator and as items are added the calculation take place letting you know exactly where you stand.
John has also written a great 'User's Guide' for this Calculator.
If you interested in taking a look at this calculator send me a PM. John has given me permission to share this tool. In fact, John haas recently joined this Forum so I am sure he will contribute much as time goes by.
By the way, there are 2 versions. One (which has more 'bells and whistles') only runs on Windows computers. However, there is a 'Lite' version for us Mac users. I have only used the Mac version and find it absolutely fantastic.
Note: It is important that the van and tug still go on a Weigh Bridge at some stage to confirm your loads
The Belmont Bear said
09:29 PM Feb 3, 2017
"By the way, there are 2 versions. One (which has more 'bells and whistles') only runs on Windows computers. However, there is a 'Lite' version for us Mac users. I have only used the Mac version and find it absolutely fantastic "
Mike not saying that you're wrong but I have run the full version of Microsoft Excel on both Mac and Windows machines for years I didn't know that there was a difference. Before I retired last year I often built spreadsheets on my Windows machines then took them home to carry on working on them using my Mac and vice versa. I am quite experienced with building spreadsheets utilising formulas, pivot tables, macros etc. in terms of Excel I have never found that a particular OS will do more than the other. Maybe if the spreadsheet with all the bells and whistles won't run it is not actually a Microsoft Excel based spreadsheet but has been built using some other Windows program - alternatively you are not running the full Microsoft Excel program on your Mac.
cheers
BB
revemike said
09:34 PM Feb 3, 2017
The Belmont Bear wrote:
"By the way, there are 2 versions. One (which has more 'bells and whistles') only runs on Windows computers. However, there is a 'Lite' version for us Mac users. I have only used the Mac version and find it absolutely fantastic "
Mike not saying that you're wrong but I have run the full version of Microsoft Excel on both Mac and Windows machines for years I didn't know that there was a difference. Before I retired last year I often built spreadsheets on my Windows machines then took them home to carry on working on them using my Mac and vice versa. I am quite experienced with building spreadsheets utilising formulas, pivot tables, macros etc. in terms of Excel I have never found that a particular OS will do more than the other. Maybe if the spreadsheet with all the bells and whistles won't run it is not actually a Microsoft Excel based spreadsheet but has been built using some other Windows program - alternatively you are not running the full Microsoft Excel program on your Mac.
cheers
BB
Hi BB.
The problem seems to be due to the use of ActiveX. The only way I can open to 'full' file is in read-only. Are you aware of a way to overcome this? I am using the Office 2016 for Mac.
revemike wrote: It is important to know your starting measurements. These are taken from the Compliance Plate of the Van and Tug.
I wouldn't trust the weights recorded on your van compliance plate as in many cases they are not accurate.
Only way to get your real starting weights is via a weigh bridge.
revemike said
11:18 PM Feb 3, 2017
Bill B wrote:
revemike wrote: It is important to know your starting measurements. These are taken from the Compliance Plate of the Van and Tug.
I wouldn't trust the weights recorded on your van compliance plate as in many cases they are not accurate.
Only way to get your real starting weights is via a weigh bridge.
Yes, I do agree with this and in fact this is what I did. I went to the WB first to get a measurement and worked backwards from this. I got the WB measurements for ATM and the GVM and then carefully weighed every item in the caravan, both inside and in all storage locations (boot, under beds, rear bar, etc) and worked backwards to get a measurement. I found the the compliance tare ball weight was very close, and the stamped tare was not that far off either. I had a couple of additions post manufacturer (second battery, inverter, grey water tank) and, taking those into account I came to what I think is a fairly close tare.
I will be returning to the WB to check my calculations as soon as I am able to. If my calculations are out I will adjust my tare by subtracting all my known weights of contents (including water and gas) so that I can be confident of my starting point.
The Belmont Bear said
11:22 PM Feb 3, 2017
Mike I'm just guessing but it looks like you are either running an earlier version of excel or it could be the type of file format the spreadsheet is saved as e.g. xlsx or xlsm. I have found in the past I have had to change files and resave them in a different format to run macros etc.. If you open your spreadsheet then go to File/Save As - it will tell you what the current format is. If it's not already, try saving it as an xlsm file (macro enabled) in order for it to run any macros that he may have built in. Hope this helps BB
While you are in the File/Save As tab open the "learn more about file formats" and it will tell you what each Excel format means for both Mac and Windows.
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Friday 3rd of February 2017 11:31:17 PM
PeterD said
11:55 PM Feb 3, 2017
The Belmont Bear wrote:
Mike not saying that you're wrong but I have run the full version of Microsoft Excel on both Mac and Windows machines for years I didn't know that there was a difference. Before I retired last year I often built spreadsheets on my Windows machines then took them home to carry on working on them using my Mac and vice versa. I am quite experienced with building spreadsheets utilising formulas, pivot tables, macros etc. in terms of Excel I have never found that a particular OS will do more than the other.
If you can't get a spreadsheet open in M$ Office then try it in OpenOffice or LibreOffice. I have used this several times for PPS files.
revemike said
09:49 AM Feb 4, 2017
PeterD wrote:
The Belmont Bear wrote:
Mike not saying that you're wrong but I have run the full version of Microsoft Excel on both Mac and Windows machines for years I didn't know that there was a difference. Before I retired last year I often built spreadsheets on my Windows machines then took them home to carry on working on them using my Mac and vice versa. I am quite experienced with building spreadsheets utilising formulas, pivot tables, macros etc. in terms of Excel I have never found that a particular OS will do more than the other.
If you can't get a spreadsheet open in M$ Office then try it in OpenOffice or LibreOffice. I have used this several times for PPS files.
Thanks Peter. I am able to run the Mac version without any issues. The Windows version is built using VBA and ActiveX. The use of VBA and Active X just add Button functionality to go directly to a section of the Spreadsheet and I believe also adds checking on the validly of data entered.
The Mac version has the Worksheets displayed in Tabs and I have found it to be very easy to use. John has written a good User's Manual to accompany the Calculator as well.
Diane1 said
10:27 AM Feb 4, 2017
Gawd. Some people love making things SOO Complex.EMPTY your van. Completely, incl one gas bottle AND water tanks.
Same with car...... THAT,S. Basically your tare weight to work from.
Go to weighbridge and pay for a dated ticket. Then weigh and load BASIC USE items with all heavier ones over axles or near to.
Then load the rest and go over scales again. I NEVER TRAVEL WITH WATER IN MAIN TANKS
Only keep a 20ltr cont in car (mine fulĺ, were 270kg,s plus another 60 for waste),
just top them up on arrival If needing to camp out.
If a person hs to weigh individually to stay under legal weight limits and road safety, they usually have to large a van or too small a tug
Or like playing with figures, me, i prefer a fishing rod.
I try to keep tug a minimum of400kg,s heavier, around 800/850 with current.
Keep heavy weights off drawbar and rear of van. Try to buy a rear set suspension van,
it tows/tracks better with front section of van to axles longer than axles to rear section.
Plus also try.... to have van AND tug wheels/tyres the same size.
Concentrate more on keeping a SAFE weight differential between the two vehicles than seeing how much you can load and get away with.
revemike said
10:45 AM Feb 4, 2017
Diane1 wrote:
Gawd. Some people love making things SOO Complex.EMPTY your van. Completely, incl one gas bottle AND water tanks. Same with car...... THAT,S. Basically your tare weight to work from. Go to weighbridge and pay for a dated ticket. Then weigh and load BASIC USE items with all heavier ones over axles or near to. Then load the rest and go over scales again. I NEVER TRAVEL WITH WATER IN MAIN TANKS Only keep a 20ltr cont in car (mine fulĺ, were 270kg,s plus another 60 for waste), just top them up on arrival If needing to camp out. If a person hs to weigh individually to stay under legal weight limits and road safety, they usually have to large a van or too small a tug Or like playing with figures, me, i prefer a fishing rod. I try to keep tug a minimum of400kg,s heavier, around 800/850 with current. Keep heavy weights off drawbar and rear of van. Try to buy a rear set suspension van, it tows/tracks better with front section of van to axles longer than axles to rear section. Plus also try.... to have van AND tug wheels/tyres the same size. Concentrate more on keeping a SAFE weight differential between the two vehicles than seeing how much you can load and get away with.
Point made... however, some of us enjoy playing with figures and making sure we have items placed where they are best located. Each to their own. Thanks for your input.
revemike said
11:13 AM Feb 4, 2017
A few screenshots of the Calculator showing the areas covered in the measurements.
Is this calculator and the user guide still Available?
if so where can I get a copy please
Regards
-- Edited by gregroz on Sunday 29th of October 2017 10:42:51 AM
revemike said
05:18 PM Oct 29, 2017
Check out this facebook group. The fellow who started this group is the author of the calculator. You will find him incredibly helpful - his name is John Halford
2016 was bad year for caravan rollovers. While not all of these accidents were caused by overweight caravans it is good bet that this may well have contributed to many of them in some way. Police in Victoria and other States are currently stopping many vans and weighing them. The purpose of this, at this stage, is educational. However, it will not be long before the focus will shift from education to prosecution.
This got me thinking "where do I stand?", "Is my caravan over the limit?", "Am I exceeding my GVM?".
I mentioned this a friend on a Face Book Group for Retreat Caravan Owners, (John Halford, a man who has a very good understanding of how to use Excel), if he had considered developing a tool to help calculate loads. He had, and the result is an excellent multi worksheet spreadsheet that allows the user to determine not only the weight of the loads, but even better, it will show what impact on the ball weight placing an item in a given position will have. This is done by taking measurements of the various storage location from the centre of the axle (single or double axle) and using this measurement to calculate impacts.
The Calculator has provision for recording all individual items in the van, including Boot, and Under Bed Storage, Water,. You enter a description of the item (eg., food), the weight of the item (kgs) and the position of this item. The details are transferred to the weights table where the measurement of impact on ball is shown.
It is important to know your starting measurements. These are taken from the Compliance Plate of the Van and Tug. These are recorded in the Calculator and as items are added the calculation take place letting you know exactly where you stand.
John has also written a great 'User's Guide' for this Calculator.
If you interested in taking a look at this calculator send me a PM. John has given me permission to share this tool. In fact, John haas recently joined this Forum so I am sure he will contribute much as time goes by.
By the way, there are 2 versions. One (which has more 'bells and whistles') only runs on Windows computers. However, there is a 'Lite' version for us Mac users. I have only used the Mac version and find it absolutely fantastic.
Note: It is important that the van and tug still go on a Weigh Bridge at some stage to confirm your loads
"By the way, there are 2 versions. One (which has more 'bells and whistles') only runs on Windows computers. However, there is a 'Lite' version for us Mac users. I have only used the Mac version and find it absolutely fantastic "
Mike not saying that you're wrong but I have run the full version of Microsoft Excel on both Mac and Windows machines for years I didn't know that there was a difference. Before I retired last year I often built spreadsheets on my Windows machines then took them home to carry on working on them using my Mac and vice versa. I am quite experienced with building spreadsheets utilising formulas, pivot tables, macros etc. in terms of Excel I have never found that a particular OS will do more than the other. Maybe if the spreadsheet with all the bells and whistles won't run it is not actually a Microsoft Excel based spreadsheet but has been built using some other Windows program - alternatively you are not running the full Microsoft Excel program on your Mac.
cheers
BB
Hi BB.
The problem seems to be due to the use of ActiveX. The only way I can open to 'full' file is in read-only. Are you aware of a way to overcome this? I am using the Office 2016 for Mac.
I wouldn't trust the weights recorded on your van compliance plate as in many cases they are not accurate.
Only way to get your real starting weights is via a weigh bridge.
Yes, I do agree with this and in fact this is what I did. I went to the WB first to get a measurement and worked backwards from this. I got the WB measurements for ATM and the GVM and then carefully weighed every item in the caravan, both inside and in all storage locations (boot, under beds, rear bar, etc) and worked backwards to get a measurement. I found the the compliance tare ball weight was very close, and the stamped tare was not that far off either. I had a couple of additions post manufacturer (second battery, inverter, grey water tank) and, taking those into account I came to what I think is a fairly close tare.
I will be returning to the WB to check my calculations as soon as I am able to. If my calculations are out I will adjust my tare by subtracting all my known weights of contents (including water and gas) so that I can be confident of my starting point.
Mike I'm just guessing but it looks like you are either running an earlier version of excel or it could be the type of file format the spreadsheet is saved as e.g. xlsx or xlsm. I have found in the past I have had to change files and resave them in a different format to run macros etc.. If you open your spreadsheet then go to File/Save As - it will tell you what the current format is. If it's not already, try saving it as an xlsm file (macro enabled) in order for it to run any macros that he may have built in. Hope this helps BB
While you are in the File/Save As tab open the "learn more about file formats" and it will tell you what each Excel format means for both Mac and Windows.
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Friday 3rd of February 2017 11:31:17 PM
If you can't get a spreadsheet open in M$ Office then try it in OpenOffice or LibreOffice. I have used this several times for PPS files.
Thanks Peter. I am able to run the Mac version without any issues. The Windows version is built using VBA and ActiveX. The use of VBA and Active X just add Button functionality to go directly to a section of the Spreadsheet and I believe also adds checking on the validly of data entered.
The Mac version has the Worksheets displayed in Tabs and I have found it to be very easy to use. John has written a good User's Manual to accompany the Calculator as well.
Point made... however, some of us enjoy playing with figures and making sure we have items placed where they are best located. Each to their own. Thanks for your input.
A few screenshots of the Calculator showing the areas covered in the measurements.
Is this calculator and the user guide still Available?
if so where can I get a copy please
Regards
-- Edited by gregroz on Sunday 29th of October 2017 10:42:51 AM
Check out this facebook group. The fellow who started this group is the author of the calculator. You will find him incredibly helpful - his name is John Halford
https://www.facebook.com/groups/215770322160092/
The latest version of the calculator is in the files section of the 'Open' Group.
Cheers,
Mike (revemike)
Hi Mike, not sure if you can still share the calculator tool with me
if not, can you suggest another option as this is becoming very frustrating
Thank you in advance
John Sharp
I would love to get a copy if possible?
Pete
Thanks Dean
anaussieroadtrip.com.au/weights/
I'm not the owner of this site, and don't know them.
Just happy too find them, and wanting to share.