I was going to buy one of these myself until I read a report on another forum saying that they were inconsistent. One vanner said that he was getting 3 different readings.
Think a visit to the local weigh bridge is more accurate.
Quote: Originally posted by johnks on 21/5/2013
I was going to buy one of these myself until I read a report on another forum saying that they were inconsistent. One vanner said that he was getting 3 different readings.
Think a visit to the local weigh bridge is more accurate.
I doubt that as a public weighbridge is probably only accurate to within 5%. A VOSA one would be more accurate.
I bought one from this company literally at the beginning of this year.Ordered it on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year, thought delivery might be delayed because of the holiday period but it was with me by the end of the week. No extra charges,paid only the price as stated on their website. Would recommend buying from them.
Jury still out on the actual gauge yet though, tried it once with varying readings. Taking the van out this weekend and going to try it again this time with some plywood underneath to try and give it a level surface as recommended by a user on another forum.
I'm likely to order one from them in the near future but not totally happy with their web ordering process ( used tonight but cancelled part way through the process ) so likely to order one over the phone.
Colin
------------- First outing : 6 - 8th June 2011 - Rivington nr Bolton.
27/6/11 - 15/7/11: Cornwall.
2/9/11 - 5/9/11: Tarporley, Cheshire.
08/10/11 - 13/10/11: Naburn Lock nr York.
19/3/12 - 22/3/12: Southport
I've not purchased anything from the UK site but from the Netherlands site, excelent delivery, great prices only drawback was the bank charging me to convert the euros.
I bought the weigh scale from them, I have found that it gives an approximate weight as the Jockey wheel wobbles a bit so I get different readings.So I take a number of readings on all the wheels and so long as they are under my max weight I am happy.
I've been given the advice to lower then front corner steadies and then raising the jockey wheel so you can place the scale under the jockey wheel and apply load to the jockey wheel this gives a stable reading, also when weighing the wheels use two pieces if timber about the same height as the scales and position either side of the scales but not touching them so you move on and off the scales without tilting them.so trying that before our next trip away
Wouldn't be without ours to check the weight of the van. I've found 3 bits of wood are useful (about the same thickness as the weigher) a large one under the tyre that I'm not weighing, and then two small pieces on the approach and descent from the weigher - this way the wheel isn't actually climbing over the device more rolling. Just make sure that the pieces you use are far enough away that the complete weight of the wheel rests completely of the weigher for a moment - find this gives results consistently within 25kg when weighing a wheel around 700kg.
Well I did buy one shortly after my previous post and from the site mentioned before.
It arrived quickly and I had no problems.
I bought it because we were soon to be going on a 4 week caravan trip to the South West and I wanted to see how much extra we would be able to take with us whilst staying within the caravan's loading limit.
What a shock I had when it measured that I was already well overweight with the van having been only loaded as normal for a long trip.
Consequently I had to embark on a severe cut back on what we were able to put in the caravan, there was no possibility of most of those extra things I had hoped to take.
I had to transfer some items to the car ( an estate ) and then use the CWC to make sure we didn't overload the car too.
This whole exercise took a couple of days of removing, shifting and repositioning loads on all three axles checking weights and nose weight along the way.
At one point during the process I began to wonder whether the CWC was accurate and I took my caravan down to a weighbridge to see if it was - and broadly speaking it was.
I had read previously about methods of use and took heed of these whilst using it.
I'm really glad I bought it.
It didn't enable us to take some of those extras we expected, but had I been stopped by VOSA I would, at least, have had a severe ticking off and had to dispose of weight en-route before being allowed to proceed.
It really is surprising how weight mounts up over time as the caravan is used and things are added.
The car towed the van much better than before and the CWC potentially saved me a fine and endorsement so was well worth the money.
------------- First outing : 6 - 8th June 2011 - Rivington nr Bolton.
27/6/11 - 15/7/11: Cornwall.
2/9/11 - 5/9/11: Tarporley, Cheshire.
08/10/11 - 13/10/11: Naburn Lock nr York.
19/3/12 - 22/3/12: Southport
We have a small van in our first year we took note of the manufactures unladen weight specification.
We carefully weighed everything that went into the van, including gas bottle, motor mover and battery. We checked the nose weight and had a wonderful year travelling from Yorkshire to Scotland, Cornwall, Hereford, The Cotswolds and of course the Yorkshire Dales.
All in ignorance that we were at the very least 70kg overweight, when we bought the weight scale with the van empty with just a gas bottle, battery, spare wheel and motor mover we were just 3kg below the Maximum weight.
I feel that caravan manufactures and Caravan sales should by law give you a true minimum weight of the individual caravan you are buying. Not add all the basics like sink, cooker, shower, toilet, heater, full gas bottle and battery as extras.
As at the moment it makes it so easy to be over weight (weigh bridges are not always close at hand) so not only making your journey illegal, but insurance companies say most accidents involving caravans are caused by speeding or overloaded caravans.
When you buy a car the minimum weight is with oil, petrol, seats and wheels included not as extras.
No not me and I guess not many others, but as with most traffic offences nowadays it's if you involved in an accident that's when the iron first of the law grabs you by the short and curlies, no insurance cover if you overloaded, points and a fine if you are overloaded and a very good chance you'll be blamed for the accident if you are overloaded. not worth taking the chance in my book
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Reich Caravan Weight Control - buying ?
