Caravan and Tow Vehicle Weights Caclulator

revemike · Senior Member

Caravan and Tow Vehicle Weights Caclulator

The Belmont Bear · Guru

"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 · Senior Member

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.

Screen Shot 2017-02-03 at 3.43.50 pm.png

Bill B · Guru

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 · Senior Member

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Senior Member

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 · Veteran Member

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 fulÄº, 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 · Senior Member

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 fulÄº, 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 · Senior Member

A few screenshots of the Calculator showing the areas covered in the measurements.

Towing Worksheet.png

caravan weights table.png

caravan load.png

Vehicle .png

gregroz · Member

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 · Senior Member

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)

Jokas · Member

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

Richo52 · Newbie

Mike would it be possible to get a copy. Thank you

Petesahut · Member

Richo52 wrote:
Mike would it be possible to get a copy. Thank you

I would love to get a copy if possible?

Pete

Deansk · Newbie

Hi all Im new to the caravan world and would love a copy of the spreadsheet if its available, or if anyone has something similar
Thanks Dean

RDWRER · Veteran Member

Anyone looking for the spreadsheets, they are available on this website.

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.