I am heading east soon with a motor cycle in ute and caravan on back and am a
bit concerned about the caravan weight issue that seems to be getting
attention from the constabulary of late .
Our 17 foot , single axle A Van Erin caravan VIN plate lists the ATM at 1485 kg . But when I weighed caravan , it
was 1480kg with an empty water tank , empty fridge , empty wardrobe and
very little food . This seems to be a very common situation according to
the complaints written in several forums throughout Australia.
Talking to a local trailer building business , they advised if I
install a pair of 9 leaf 60mm x 6mm springs (rated 850kg ea) , 50mm x
50mm axle ( rated @ 1600kg ) and the larger parallel hub/brake
combination , they can attach another VIN plate with the ATM upgraded to
1600 kg .
My dilemma is this . Our caravan VIN plate lists the Axle Group
Load Capacity at 1600kg which according to the " Caravan Council of
Australia - 2013 " , comprises the wheels/tyres/suspension/springs/axles
& bearings . So which of the two ratings takes precedence ? If it is
the ATM , then my spending all that money on heavier springs , larger
axle , larger hubs & brakes will still only give me a maximum carry
load of 1600kg which is exactly what the axle load group is already
rated at on the caravan now .
I have been in touch with the manufacturers but they were of very little assistance .
Can anyone out there in this great big country of ours offer some advice ?
Bruce and Bev said
06:51 PM Jun 20, 2017
Hi Boy Racer. This subject has been the topic of may threads in the past. You may care to try the search facility that you will find in the centre of the screen at the top of your post and have a read up. I'm sure they will give you the answers you want, but usually the RV manufacturer needs to supply you a new VIN plate and then depending on which State you are in, follow through on the various processes. Here in WA, it requires a new plate (and you are not allowed to remove/cover the old one) have it weighed and then then inspected by an authorized mechanic (easier) or put it over the Ministry of Transport pits - costs about $200. But some States are much "slacker" in upgrading your ATM
oleboyracer said
07:03 PM Jun 20, 2017
Thanks Bruce (love the fox) .
Cheers ....oleboyracer.
PeterD said
09:22 AM Jun 21, 2017
John (OBR) you already have the capacity to get an engineer to certify a heavier rating. Your van already has the 1600 kg axle under it that he is talking about. Did you take the van to him or just quiz him about what needs doing? If he eyeballed the van then he is just a spiv, go somewhere else for advice, preferably the engineer you are getting to issue the engineering certificate.
Our caravan VIN plate lists the Axle Group Load Capacity at 1600kg
That allows you GTM of up to 1600 kg and your ATM can be the expected loaded ball weight above that.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:22 AM Jun 21, 2017
Yes my ATM needs upgrading too ! Never enough money in it !! Lol
Pete .....the caravan spares guy ( not an engineer ) did'nt see the van so I guess he was just going on the 1485Kg ATM figure.
Living near the regional town of Bunbury in WA , I will do some research & see if I can find a suitably qualified engineer .
Bruce ..... if you are a sandgroper , can you recommend anyone down here in the Sth West ?
Cheers .........oleboyracer .
oleboyracer said
01:07 PM Jul 14, 2017
Pleased to advise I have finally managed to complete the process of an ATM upgrade on our caravan over here in West Australia .
Because our 2004 Avan - Erin VIN plate rated the axle group at 1600 Kg , it was relatively simple once I eventually found the right person to deal with . As advised by him at the Vehicle Inspection Centre , I had to do the following before it could be inspected for the ATM upgrade :-
1. Needed to get a new tare weight docket ( was up from original tare listed as 1185 Kg to 1340 Kg ) from the local registered weighbridge .
2. Had to have a plummer/gas fitter inspect the relevant components on van and obtain a new LP gas serviceability certificate & plate
( this was because our van & original certificate was more than 10 years old ) .
3. Purchase, fill out & install a new VIN plate adjacent to original , showing upgraded ATM and Tare figures etc .
4. Fill out a brake capacity form ( supplied at my first visit by the Vehicle Inspection Centre ) on which a list of questions had to be answered by me as to brake type, brake manufacturer, brake size, brake capacity ( the rating of 1600 Kg for brakes was provided by the Vehicle Inspection Centre from a listing he had ) , tyre size etc etc . I had to sign this form confirming all the information provided was correct .
5. Then make a booking at the Vehicle Inspection Centre for an inspection which also had to include a full roadworthy check of lights, chain size & condition, tow hitch rating, tyre load rating etc costing $97.00 . This figure seemed very reasonable considering the amount of time they spend providing information and then completing the required tasks .
6. I then had to take the supplied paperwork down to Dept. of Transport and have them upgrade their records for our caravan . It will now be slightly more expensive to license each year because of the weight increase , they don't miss you do they .
So I am now a "happy chappy" and hope this information may be of some assistance to other caravaners out there .
Cheers .......oleboyracer .
Tony Bev said
01:38 PM Jul 14, 2017
That is a fantastic feedback, oldboyracer
This could mean that in certain circumstances, an Engineer report is not required
Can you give us all a cost for the, plummer/gas fitter inspection
Where did you get the new VIN plate from
Did you obtain the brake manufacturer by looking at the slave cylinder, at the brake
oleboyracer said
03:48 PM Jul 14, 2017
Hi Tony .
Cost for the plummer/gas fitter inspection was a bit over $100.00 .
New VIN plate was purchased at a local trailer parts & bearing supply business and cost about $6.00 .
I obtained all the necessary brake information by removing a wheel from our caravan . Our brakes are electrically operated drums made by ALKO and they have size , part number etc cast on the outside of the brake drum where it can be easily seen .
I am heading east soon with a motor cycle in ute and caravan on back and am a
bit concerned about the caravan weight issue that seems to be getting
attention from the constabulary of late .
Our 17 foot , single axle A Van Erin caravan VIN plate lists the ATM at 1485 kg . But when I weighed caravan , it
was 1480kg with an empty water tank , empty fridge , empty wardrobe and
very little food . This seems to be a very common situation according to
the complaints written in several forums throughout Australia.
Talking to a local trailer building business , they advised if I
install a pair of 9 leaf 60mm x 6mm springs (rated 850kg ea) , 50mm x
50mm axle ( rated @ 1600kg ) and the larger parallel hub/brake
combination , they can attach another VIN plate with the ATM upgraded to
1600 kg .
My dilemma is this . Our caravan VIN plate lists the Axle Group
Load Capacity at 1600kg which according to the " Caravan Council of
Australia - 2013 " , comprises the wheels/tyres/suspension/springs/axles
& bearings . So which of the two ratings takes precedence ? If it is
the ATM , then my spending all that money on heavier springs , larger
axle , larger hubs & brakes will still only give me a maximum carry
load of 1600kg which is exactly what the axle load group is already
rated at on the caravan now .
I have been in touch with the manufacturers but they were of very little assistance .
Can anyone out there in this great big country of ours offer some advice ?
Thanks Bruce (love the fox) .
Cheers ....oleboyracer.
John (OBR) you already have the capacity to get an engineer to certify a heavier rating. Your van already has the 1600 kg axle under it that he is talking about. Did you take the van to him or just quiz him about what needs doing? If he eyeballed the van then he is just a spiv, go somewhere else for advice, preferably the engineer you are getting to issue the engineering certificate.
That allows you GTM of up to 1600 kg and your ATM can be the expected loaded ball weight above that.
Thanks for all the input guys .
Pete .....the caravan spares guy ( not an engineer ) did'nt see the van so I guess he was just going on the 1485Kg ATM figure.
Living near the regional town of Bunbury in WA , I will do some research & see if I can find a suitably qualified engineer .
Bruce ..... if you are a sandgroper , can you recommend anyone down here in the Sth West ?
Cheers .........oleboyracer .
Pleased to advise I have finally managed to complete the process of an ATM upgrade on our caravan over here in West Australia .
Because our 2004 Avan - Erin VIN plate rated the axle group at 1600 Kg , it was relatively simple once I eventually found the right person to deal with . As advised by him at the Vehicle Inspection Centre , I had to do the following before it could be inspected for the ATM upgrade :-
1. Needed to get a new tare weight docket ( was up from original tare listed as 1185 Kg to 1340 Kg ) from the local registered weighbridge .
2. Had to have a plummer/gas fitter inspect the relevant components on van and obtain a new LP gas serviceability certificate & plate
( this was because our van & original certificate was more than 10 years old ) .
3. Purchase, fill out & install a new VIN plate adjacent to original , showing upgraded ATM and Tare figures etc .
4. Fill out a brake capacity form ( supplied at my first visit by the Vehicle Inspection Centre ) on which a list of questions had to be answered by me as to brake type, brake manufacturer, brake size, brake capacity ( the rating of 1600 Kg for brakes was provided by the Vehicle Inspection Centre from a listing he had ) , tyre size etc etc . I had to sign this form confirming all the information provided was correct .
5. Then make a booking at the Vehicle Inspection Centre for an inspection which also had to include a full roadworthy check of lights, chain size & condition, tow hitch rating, tyre load rating etc costing $97.00 . This figure seemed very reasonable considering the amount of time they spend providing information and then completing the required tasks .
6. I then had to take the supplied paperwork down to Dept. of Transport and have them upgrade their records for our caravan . It will now be slightly more expensive to license each year because of the weight increase , they don't miss you do they .
So I am now a "happy chappy" and hope this information may be of some assistance to other caravaners out there .
Cheers .......oleboyracer .
That is a fantastic feedback, oldboyracer
This could mean that in certain circumstances, an Engineer report is not required
Cost for the plummer/gas fitter inspection was a bit over $100.00 .
New VIN plate was purchased at a local trailer parts & bearing supply business and cost about $6.00 .
I obtained all the necessary brake information by removing a wheel from our caravan . Our brakes are electrically operated drums made by ALKO and they have size , part number etc cast on the outside of the brake drum where it can be easily seen .
Cheers .......oleboyracer .