With a significant proportion of accidents involving caravans being at least partially attributed to incorrect weight and weight distribution, there continues to be a significant push to raise awareness, and increase education, around the issue.
This weekend, for example, caravanners in the NSW town of Narrandera have the chance to attend free caravan weighing days and receive road safety and caravanning advice.
Narrandera Shire Council and Transport for NSW will co-host the caravan weighing days with ‘Your Weigh – Mobile Vehicle Weighing’ to educate caravanners about correctly calculating their caravan’s weight, how to load their caravan for even weight distribution, safe driving tips while towing, and ways to reduce the risk of being involved in a crash.
Knowing, and understanding, your van's weight and weight distribution can be vital to road safety. PIC: Narrandera Shire Council
The weighing days, to be held at the Lake Talbot Tourist Park both tomorrow and on Sunday, have already been booked out, showing the huge demand among travellers to learn more about van weight and weight distribution.
Narrandera Shire Council Road Safety Officer, Elizabeth Mudford said that, as caravanning grew in popularity, so did the need to ensure caravans were being operated safely.
“Simple things like adding a toolbox to the back of the van, popping a kayak on the roof or travelling with full water tanks can cause the caravan, tow vehicle or combination to become overweight or non-compliant and may increase the risk of a crash,” Ms Mudford said. “An incorrectly loaded caravan can lead to snaking, swaying or loss of control of your caravan and vehicle.”
The weighing service will provide, and explain, a report comparing actual weight to manufacturers specified weight limits. The report breaks down tow ball, individual wheel, axle and total weights.
“Driving while towing a caravan is a different experience to normal driving and requires a higher level of knowledge and skill, a need for greater stopping distances, and consideration of environmental factors such as high winds, wet roads and uneven surfaces,” Ms Mudford said. “These days are a great opportunity to learn more about your caravan and more about safe driving, for the benefit of everyone on the road.”
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I’ve always had my vans weighed. I figure 10’s of thousands on a van is worth a few hundred dollars to be safe and sure on the road. The guy who weighed my van a few weeks ago stated that there are up to seven teams of transport officers across Qld in a crackdown on over weight rigs.
Yes, a frightening revelation. Although only a few kg over the ATM this was before fully loading the freezer/fridge, finalising our clothing or installing my lady’s make up gear. Consequently heavy food items – drinks, cans, etc. – folding chairs, tarps, annexe walls, tools, power lead, jockey wheel all now go in the ute. Also we never take more
than 80% of water capacity.
We did ours about 8 mths ago and I was surprised at the weight, had it re certified by a VASS engineer in Bendigo and approved by Vic Rds to allow more capacity both were well worth the total cost of $1,000
Maybe the RAA should do a free weight check of van and car to keep everyone informed and make the roads a safer place
Just recently had ours weighed & we were well over even without any food in fridge & about half of what would go in cupboards, also very little clothing in van, so it’s another van for us & sell the current one