Morning all.
I work for a specialist company that supplies axle weighing systems and we fit more OnBoard systems to 3.5 tonners than everything else put together.
It’s staggering the number of operators who don’t know what they’re allowed to carry.
And bodybuilders don’t help. If the customer specifies a tail lift, tool box etc no one stops and thinks how much all those extras add to the unladen weight.
keredwh:
Morning all.I work for a specialist company that supplies axle weighing systems and we fit more OnBoard systems to 3.5 tonners than everything else put together.
It’s staggering the number of operators who don’t know what they’re allowed to carry.
And bodybuilders don’t help. If the customer specifies a tail lift, tool box etc no one stops and thinks how much all those extras add to the unladen weight.
I bought and brand new 316 Sprinter in 05 and specced it with a 5 metre curtain sider body, sleeper pod, 200 ltr fuel tank, night heater, driver comfort seat etc. i bought it for a specific job that was going to be carrying 4.5 metre lengths throughout Europe, total load weighing no more than 200kg. Just as well it was light stuff because the legal payload with all that spec was 680kg! And that was before any passengers.
I can comfortably put 8oo kg in my van, Transit Connect, and for those that aren’t sure there are always those things called … weighbridges
raymundo:
I can comfortably put 8oo kg in my van, Transit Connect, and for those that aren’t sure there are always those things called … weighbridges
I don’t think it’s a case of not being sure ,it’s more a case of don’t give ■■■■■ .You can get get 4 euro pallets in a sprinter so that’s whats going in 
I reckon if VOSA set up a weighbridge outside every branch of Travis Perkins, they’d make a mint.
the maoster:
keredwh:
Morning all.I work for a specialist company that supplies axle weighing systems and we fit more OnBoard systems to 3.5 tonners than everything else put together.
It’s staggering the number of operators who don’t know what they’re allowed to carry.
And bodybuilders don’t help. If the customer specifies a tail lift, tool box etc no one stops and thinks how much all those extras add to the unladen weight.
I bought and brand new 316 Sprinter in 05 and specced it with a 5 metre curtain sider body, sleeper pod, 200 ltr fuel tank, night heater, driver comfort seat etc. i bought it for a specific job that was going to be carrying 4.5 metre lengths throughout Europe, total load weighing no more than 200kg. Just as well it was light stuff because the legal payload with all that spec was 680kg! And that was before any passengers.
That illustrates my point really well! You’d be amazed how many vehicles get specced up with gear and yet the operators still think they can get over a tonne on it.
raymundo:
I can comfortably put 8oo kg in my van, Transit Connect, and for those that aren’t sure there are always those things called … weighbridges
Fewer and fewer Public weighbridges around these days though and they tend to be open limited hours.
However, if anyone is near Runcorn and needs to weigh we have an Approved axle weighbridge in our yard which will give both axle and gross weights for only £6. And we tend to be open longer as well. If anyone needs location details let me know.
i remember when working for nhs they replaced all the old 7.5s for new mans. problem was they weighed 6.5 tonnes empty so loading cages of hospital supplies became interesting.almost every day we were round the builders yard using the weighbridge. most axles had to be upgraded and i believe the person who ordered the vehicles was given the long walk.
8wheels:
ROG:
Gembo:
Or are we on a hair splitting mission tonite?(Just for a change)
The meaning of gross train weight is for the actual weight of the towing vehicle and trailer so that could be a vehicle with a GVW of 3000 but actually weighing 2000 with a trailer where the plated MAM is 2000 but actually weighing 1500 - all that will be 3500 GTW but 5000 total Maximum combined MAM weight which is 1500 over the allowance for B licence towing
Its not splitting hairs because they are totally seperate meanings
Wouldn’t it have been much easier if they stuck to a trailer being a trailer irrespective of weights. To tow a trailer you’d need a +E on your licence, end of.
and an O Licence now.
Dieseldog66:
and an O Licence now.
Depends on what vehicle is being used, the unladen weight of the trailer and the actual job being done - I think…
ROG:
Dieseldog66:
and an O Licence now.Depends on what vehicle is being used, the unladen weight of the trailer and the actual job being done - I think…
Any combination over 3.5tonne for hire or reward requires o licence no matter what weight the trailer is.
On 7.5t and vans I don’t think it’s just GVW overloads that are an issue. You can just tell when you see some 7.5ts that they are way over on the front axle. A pair of 1t pallets or similar on the headboard must be a massive overload on the front.
Dan Punchard:
[.
Any combination over 3.5tonne for hire or reward requires o licence no matter what weight the trailer is.
[/quote]
so why when used with a tacho , can i have a total weight 5200kg in my renualt master van then
I used to work in the Glasgow fruit market and now in a cash n carry ,
Don’t think there isn’t many vans you don’t see leaving not overloaded !
ESP when in the mkt people used to fill every space inc the passenger seat and foot well !
Fallmonk:
I used to work in the Glasgow fruit market and now in a cash n carry ,
Don’t think there isn’t many vans you don’t see leaving not overloaded !
ESP when in the mkt people used to fill every space inc the passenger seat and foot well !
You must see alot of customers leaving your place with their headlights pointing at the moon.
holliefabbabe:
Dan Punchard:
[.Any combination over 3.5tonne for hire or reward requires o licence no matter what weight the trailer is.
so why when used with a tacho , can i have a total weight 5200kg in my renualt master van then
[/quote]
I’m assuming you mean Renault Master van, towing a trailer?
Own account work or hire and reward?
Email from VOSA on the subject.
In relation to the customers query; I notice that they only hold a restricted licence so presumably will not be using the vehicle/trailer combination for hire or reward?
(i) If the are using the trailer for hire or reward they will need to put the vehicle on the licence.
(ii) If they are using the combination to carry their own goods, and its unladen weight is less than 1,020kgs unladen they will be exempt operator licence but NOT tachograph regulations (see below).
(vi) A Land Rover Discovery would be classed as a ‘dual purpose’ vehicle if its unladen weight does not exceed 2,040kgs. I understand that the latest model Discovery exceeds this weight so would be classed as a goods vehicle and would be subject to ‘O’ licence requirements is drawing a trailer carrying goods for hire or reward; or own goods on a trailer with an unladen weight of more than 1,020kgs.
So even the dual purpose rules are going into grey areas. I always thought if it was a family 4x4 it would count as dual purpose so long as it was under 3.5t
the 1020kg exemption for small trailers finished dec 4th 2011 so a combination ie 3.5tonner with any trailer for hire or reward needs olicense the same as a rigid over 3.5t. cominations over 3.5t for use other than hire or reward are exempt from olicense even a resticted one until the towing vehicle exceeds 3.5t but may still need tacho depending on the drivers activitys.check with the FTA as they knew about this before vosa traffic men or the case workers at leeds did.