Next week with luck I will weigh my Vans ATM. (Water tanks empty)
1. Coupled to ute i will weight on both axles.
2. I will un-couple and weigh TB using jockey wheel.
3. Add both gives my my ATM..right.
My question is,,will the TB weight be far out? As obviously the jockey is not identical to tow ball.
Hi Neil...PRETTY well right,but ATM is a rating,and never changes.You will find it on your van's compliance plate,usually in the front boot. ATM is the MAXIMUM the van can legally weigh,and includes weight on wheels (GTM) and towball weight ( or weight on jockey wheel). As far as "how far out is the jockey wheel" that can be calculated as a percentage of the forward length,or distance from towball to rear axis,which is the axle on a single axle van,or midpoint between the two axles on a dual axle van.Be aware that the towball weight you get on a weighbridge can be out by at least 20kg..... ..... possibly more.You obviously are aware that there is no need to weigh axles separately,provided the van is level,which is particularly important on non-load sharing axle groups. If you weigh your axle group first,then unhook the van and again weigh it,including both jockey wheel and axles,that's about as close as you'll ever get on a weighbridge.Far better to get your axle weights on a weighbridge,then measure towball weight with bathroom scales.Have fun! Cheers
Sooo, last time I checked the TBW it was 272kg. (measured at the ball/differently) So I'll just add 20kg to the TBW. Near enough.
Yes I'm aware ATM is a rate. But I will be measuring my current ATM....right? OR is there another bit of jargon to describe that??
If I'm 150 to 200kg under the ATM I will be a very happy chappy.
Hi Neil....at the risk of being corrected,I believe that the term you seek is "mass". Peter'n'Margaret seem to have much knowledge of the correct terminology. Anyway,if you're 150kg to 250kg under your ATM,you can carry plenty of water,provided that the tanks are central,preferably one behind the axle group,and one in front.If those tanks are plumbed separately,they can be used to manage ball weight.Congratulations on taking your weights seriously.Cheers
Thanks yobar,
Main thing is to confirm the "normal loaded traveling mass" in relation to the ATM with the water tanks empty. From there i can manage the weights.
Thanks yobar, Main thing is to confirm the "normal loaded traveling mass" in relation to the ATM with the water tanks empty. From there i can manage the weights.