We brought a brand new caravan 6 and half years ago. We have just realized after weighting when packed with the water tanks full and full gas bottles we are over the allowable ATM weight, this does not allow us much for food and clothes. I have contacted the manufacture and they are no help, I have been told by Vicroads that I need an engineers certificate to have this adjusted. We tow with a Landcruiser so extra ATM weight is not a problem, can anyone help with an engineer in Melbourne northern suburbs.
Welcome to the gang Tom464, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have the same problem and can't carry water in my two 95lt tanks. I survive OK as I have room in the tug so carry three 10lt containers of fresh water there, I am Solo so survive with those until I can top up again. If I am at a fixed spot for some time I fill the tanks by a small 12v pump. No water in the tanks mean I can't use the van shower but I have rigged up a 12v camp shower with a battery pump that goes in a bucket of water and heat some water on a gas stove for a nice warm shower. Works a treat. Been doing it that way for he last 3 days now as I am on the move.
I too was told by Vic Roads the same as you and could cost up to $3,000. Nope, no way, I'll keep doing what I'm doing, for now anyway. Sorry I can't help with a Engineer.
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Perhaps you're far more law abiding than me, many people are, but if I had been towing it for nearly seven years without incident I would not worry about changing the numbers on a plate. If you're stopped and weighed tell them you forgot to empty the water tanks. If you have an accident and there is any chance of the van being weighed (about 1 in 1000 I suspect) empty the tanks at the roadside.
Edit: Anyway, what is all this stuff about needing an engineer's report to change the plated weight?
Either a given model caravan can be loaded to X weight or it cannot. If it cannot then an engineer should not specify it can and if it can why don't the manufacturers plate it as such?
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 05:56:59 PM
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
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Heres a suggestion
Check your cgassis and axle rating mine were both 2900kg.
Van has Tare of 2200kg and used to have an ATM of 2600kg. (2200 + 400).
Spoke to manufacturer of caravan and asked for new compliance plate.
As the axle and chassis is already engineered to 2900kg they said 1 week and $65 later I had a new compliance plate.
Took to RMS no issues now have ATM of 2900kg.
Worth investigating?
Cheers
Many (most?) manufacturers will re-plate to an upgraded ATM for either a small fee or no charge.
As Symo says, it will depend on the axle group/chassis rating, the tyres you have fitted and some other small 'checks' to ensure capability.
I had my van (Nov 2008 build) re-plated from 2450Kg ATM to 2700Kg ATM by the manufacturer last year without any problem. I did provide weighbridge tickets for TARE and the actual weight of the van fully loaded. It was well within the axle/chassis rating.
I would suggest you first contact the manufacturer of the van and see what they say. You may be pleasantly surprised.
PS - despite Mike's comments earlier, it DOES matter that you are within the PLATED ratings on your van. Sure, you may have been towing for seven years. I have been travelling full-time in my van for eight years - above the plated ATM - and realised that it was more than prudent to have the compliance plate properly reflecting the weight (ATM) it actually was. The 'authorities' are increasingly moving toward stopping and weighing vehicles and vans. At the moment these 'stop and weigh' exercises (in VIC, NSW, QLD at least) have been 'educational' - but it will not be long (and well overdue) before they are regularly stopping and/or weighing vans/trailers/vehicles to confirm compliance to the weight ratings of both vehicle and van - including Gross Combination Mass (GCM).
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 07:31:54 PM
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
There's probably a large number of rigs on the road with your exact problem. Their owners may or may not be aware of it. A lot of people go by the saying ''ignorance is bliss''.
We were talking yesterday to a bloke with your problem, he had a near new tandem Jayco Outback caravan. The compliance plate was completely wrong after having it over a weighbridge.
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Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
Hi. Check Toyota's weight and combined too. Those Toyota's do NOT have much to spare with tanks full and 2 inside. don't forget to ADD drawbar weight too. The 100 ser had about 30 kg over the same model GU Patrols. More MAX carrying capacity, BUT, on a heavier vehicle weight. Negated the advantage.
we were always playing around with those figures. As said. Check axle\suso weight against chassis plate first. Then start praying.
VERY few are legal on all points. I could cover gross combined by around 400kg . But only cause I usually had 2.7ish, ton on van with 3.2t plated. Anybody weighing me. I'd have a quick transfer of 15hp Yammie and fuel, anchors etc to make it. (Into van)
Water. I had 3 x 90ltrs. 1 x stainless, for drinking. I carried about 20\25 ltrs in that or a jerry in car. Kept me legal. and filled up either when getting to wherever. or just b4 turning off main drag.
Most important is to stay UNDER Max Combined. then move around to suit if needed.
AND Know where to put it.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 09:52:33 PM
Macka, as always you have provided an extensive response to a thread drawing from your considerable experience.
However, again you have provided excellent advice that is in no way pertinent to the situation posed by the OP which is that their van is heavier than the ATM figure on the compliance plate. They are seeking advice on how to remedy that situation.
We don't know the actual weight of the van ... only that the van weighs more than the plated ATM. Indeed, the OP states that even though the van is over the plated ATM, it is well within the capability of the "Landcruiser so extra ATM weight is not a problem" - and we have no idea just WHICH model Landcruiser they have.
Apart from respondents giving advice on how to get an up-graded compliance plate for the ATM situation, the OP was seeking advice on where they might find a suitable engineer in Melbourne.
There are many on the forum that welcome, and are appreciative of, your experience and knowledge, and that you share it in such a detailed and candid manner - but it does become frustrating when it isn't pertinent to the question/s being posed.
cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Macka, as always you have provided an extensive response to a thread drawing from your considerable experience.
However, again you have provided excellent advice that is in no way pertinent to the situation posed by the OP which is that their van is heavier than the ATM figure on the compliance plate. They are seeking advice on how to remedy that situation.
We don't know the actual weight of the van ... only that the van weighs more than the plated ATM. Indeed, the OP states that even though the van is over the plated ATM, it is well within the capability of the "Landcruiser so extra ATM weight is not a problem" - and we have no idea just WHICH model Landcruiser they have.
Apart from respondents giving advice on how to get an up-graded compliance plate for the ATM situation, the OP was seeking advice on where they might find a suitable engineer in Melbourne.
There are many on the forum that welcome, and are appreciative of, your experience and knowledge, and that you share it in such a detailed and candid manner - but it does become frustrating when it isn't pertinent to the question/s being posed.
cheers - John
An excellent, well reasoned & expressed post. Your are to be congratulated for it.
It would be great if all were as thoughtful, rather than shooting from the hip as some other frustrated members do.
All of our brains work differently & those differences seem to become more evident as we age. I know mine do. eg. I too often stray from the topic & only occasionally go back to edit out the offending text.
Sorry for my transgressions & well done Rockylizard
Slightly off track but has any one actually been weighed by the police just wondering if they unhook the tug to get the weight of van as while connected to the tug i imagine it would weigh less by the tow ball weight
We have a Jayco sterling poptop and like the van. We have emailed & phoned Jayco, the person at Jayco tells me that Jayco does not and will not change compliance plates. I asked as the axle/axle group load capacity is 2900kg would this also cover the chassis they wouldn't tell me. The only thing they would tell me was to see an engineer.
We have a Jayco sterling poptop and like the van. We have emailed & phoned Jayco, the person at Jayco tells me that Jayco does not and will not change compliance plates. I asked as the axle/axle group load capacity is 2900kg would this also cover the chassis they wouldn't tell me. The only thing they would tell me was to see an engineer.
Regards Tom
Tom,
Jayco will not under any circumstances issue a new compliance plate.
I would recommend that you find an engineer, (cant help there sorry, in Qld) and get your ATM upgraded.
With an axle group rating of 2900kg it should be possible to upgrade to that weight.
Contrary to advice you have received it is not advisable to be travelling with an overweight van which apart from being booked if pulled over, could possibly jeopardize an insurance claim were you involved in an accident.
In most cases the cost to have an ATM upgrade is minimal.
Tom
In SA when I wanted to get a Vehicle Spec Change, and the engineer I had used in the past was overseas, I rang up our Transport department and they gave me 3 engineers for me to follow up. Vic should have a similar list, its just finding out who to phone.
Note I would get a number of quotes, in my case, one engineer did not know what was involved, another was 2 costly and the 3rd was some distance away. I waited for my engineer t0 return from OS.
Yep. I do ramble a bit. that's me.
Mostly it IS reasonably useful, At some time or other.
As said. I travel with tanks empty and not much garbage in van.
You tend to know what you NEED after a few yrs.
I ws just giving a few tips to fudge weights around.
Read plate on axles\susp. Compare to plate INSIDE van boot.
Discrepancy?..
Contact builder with chassis and model no
get a new plate. That's legal.
Roadstar did 3 for me. (One a Compass pop top,)
Susp upgrades are done. at a price.
Not too bad unless independent.
Symplicity cheap and dead easy.
All other ways cost you..
OH.
And INSURANCE. Overweight figures.
if you more that a certain weight over (They ALL have a figure)
It gives the Police\highways a belt at you.
But, importantly.
If an Accident.
They do not have to cover you.Comp. or third Party.
you're over legal limits and should not be rolling down the road
You think they going to miss that point.
NIL payout.
plus licence problem (suspended?). Veh stuck. and you get fined.
It's ALL coming, believe me.
They've finally had enough of overloaders,
specially inexperienced ones.
We used to get fined so much a ton over. to a point.
Then look out.
Me.
Empty water tanks. and one full gas sees a bit spare.
Fill when get there but messing about.
Less crap possible?
You'd be surprised how much you take and don't need.
50 yrs and I'm still trimming our weights.
Last van was 3.2t plated.
normally went over local scales at around 2.5\7ton
with empty aforementioned.
Our van shelves and under bed normally 50% empty and more.
Bigger vans do hold a lot of storage you don't 'really" need.
2 people tropic climes. Fine.
Cooler Southern climes.
Hmmm.
Move up here. Everything better. from fish you catch to air you breathe.
Brrrrr.
We had heater on for last 2 nights.
Turned off at 1am going to bed.
Woke up shivering (Physically) at 5 15.
Quilt on bed and heater back on real quick.
Thermometer read 17 degrees. Uggh.
Mid winter.
Another week or so and heater stays on till spring in around
6 or 7 weeks.
How the hell do you lot handle that temp....
"Brass Monkeys" comes to mind. I Hibernate.
Macka, We do aclimatise to a point, but if you house or van is warm & you have the right clothing we get by ok, Been here 26 years so just about got it sorted out!! Have diesel heater in 20ft Coromal & brilliant to say the least. Plus I must say the extreme heat knocks us around as well. Thanks Mate. Jim
Also you being an "old salt" would know where the term Brass Monkeys comes from.
-- Edited by jimboz on Sunday 7th of May 2017 01:53:49 PM
Was the snowmobile up near Cobungra on way to Dinner Plain.
About half way between the two iirc. I had come up the Dinner Plain Track to Dinner Plain after camping at a delightful spot way out in the bush which is named after a local gum tree - I don't wish to put its name on here but I think you'll know it - 4WD only.
I spent last Xmas camped at Limestone Creek - not the main site but a small bush one 1km away. I just love your part of the world. When I go permanent in a caravan in a year or so I shall spend at least a month or two each year in the area.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Mike,
That snowmobile stayed on the side of the road for quite some time & created a lot of interest!!!!! Give a yell whenever you come through.... Jim
Macka, as always you have provided an extensive response to a thread drawing from your considerable experience.
