Thread: Weighbridges - Do we drive on by?

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

...
I have often wondered how much it does weigh...

Go to your local Mitre10 (or local gardening place) and ask if you can run it over their scales.

Our local Mitre10 sells gravel and soil by the trailer load, so they have drive on scales for car + trailer. They've never charged me for weighing it, and I have done it 2 or 3 times.

I do front axle, both axles, rear axle, so you end up with 3 figures.

That way, you can find out from a 'neutral' source what your axle weights are, and get a truck license if you need one without getting fined or whatever.

A friend has a horse truck. 51% accommodation and 49% horse space. I'm told it's classed as a camper and not required to pull in.
Don.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Originally Posted by rangieman

The sign will say all trucks that will mean you Oh make sure you are using your log book and it is up to date as well

You have pre-empted my next question.

You will find that the drivers work diary only applies to trucks travelling 100 km or more from home base with a GVM over 12Tonne or a bus over 4.5 tonne with 12 or more passengers, your Mk3 is only 8 Tonne GVM so you don't need a work diary even if you are towing a trailer over 6 tonne as the signage specifies GVM and not GCM.

Most weighbridges have a truck only lane and the inspectors will flag you to enter the weighbridge or to return to the highway. Remember if you don't enter the truck lane you can be fined, even if you try to back up and then enter the lane.

Sometimes it's easier to enter the lane and/or complete the work diary even if you are not required to. It saves the hassels of the "please explains" or infringements later.

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

Without stealing the thread - when I insured the 101 I was asked if it weighs more than 3,500kg... Because it's was an ambulance that has been converted to a camper, it has had some interior walls removed (and all equipment like stretchers, etc) - so it might be lighter than standard. But it has a second spare tyre, nudge bar, awning, driving lights, carpet insulation, automatic gearbox, etc - so it might be heavier?

I have often wondered how much it does weigh...

So my questions are - if I am driving along a free-way and I see an open weigh-bridge, can I drive in and ask to be weighed? Will it cost me any money? And what are the implications of it the vehicle is heavier than 3,500kg? Does Vicroads nab me and say "you need a truck license" or "you're exceeding the front axle weight"... Have I just opened up myself a big can of worms... "Ignorance is bliss" or "better to let a sleeping dog keep snoozing"...

There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.

Grey Ghost

Or next time you take a load to the tip, ask the weighbridge attendant for the tare of the vehicle on the way out.

One of the reasons I got our Iveco registered at 4495Kg instead of 5200kg GVM was because of cheaper Tolls , no pulling into Truck weigh bridges, and most importantly I don't have to stick to .00 blood Alcohol content !!

I suppose I should carry the rego papers incase I get clobbered outside of Victoria and the cop can't pull it up on his database to confirm if its a truck or car ??? With the fridge box on the back it looks more like a beer truck than a camper.

Al least I have no problem parking in Loading Zones

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

There is a public weighbridge on the Calder at the servo near "The Thunderdome". Pay your money and weigh it there. About $20 I think.

There is also one a little closer at Cooper Street BP.
Can't remember if the "twins" near your village have them.
I would think there would be public bridge in Kilmore too.

Originally Posted by rangieman

The sign will say all trucks that will mean you Oh make sure you are using your log book and it is up to date as well

A side track for the other can of worms...
I drive a heavy vehicle for a living as a few of the forum members do.
I've been pondering this...
I jump into a members truck/heavy vehicle to display at a show on my day off.
Does this mean I'm now breaching the 7 day rule?
Do I need to carry my log book or just play the dumb driver game

There are maximum load limits on axles, not just the G.C.M. so you may be under the G.C.M. but over on one axle or group of axles,you will still get booked. By the way I have a weighbridge here if anyone wants to use it, we way plenty of vans and stuff. We have people play around with their vans with weights and loadings. You would be surprised the overloading see.
Lindsay.