3
NEWS
Overweight vans caught in blitz
More than half of caravans pulled over in police operation found to be overweightThe spotlight has been shone on the problem of over-weight caravans with more than half the caravans pulled over in a recent police blitz in Victoria proven to be over-weight.
Part of Operation Roadhouse, the two-day exercise was conducted by VicRoads and Victoria Police in early January at the Newmerella rest stop along the Princes Highway, near Orbost in Victoria.
More than 70 caravans were weighed using portable scales, with the ball, GTM and ATM weights compared to 'stamped' ratings on the vans’ compliance plate.
Acting Sergeant Graeme Shenton cited some startling statistics, including 41 caravans (almost 60 per cent) found to be overweight in at least one category. One van was 280kg over its plated ATM rating of 2600kg, while another had a ball download of 400kg, or 120kg higher than the maximum.
Writing on the popular Caravaners Forum website, Act Sgt Shenton also noted that “most ATM offences were in the 1500kg to 2500kg size vans" with camper trailers loaded with bikes, generators, and other heavy gear among the worst offenders.
“Most of these had max ATM around 1650 and were consistently 100kg-plus over. These were also being towed by the smallest cars, many of them sedans that did not have the capacity to tow those weights,” he said.
No tow vehicles were weighed but he estimated at least 15 would have also been overweight in relation to the car’s GVM (gross vehicle mass) or GCM (gross combination mass).
He said many of the drivers spoken to were not aware of their vehicle being over-weight, or were unclear about the various weight ratings or how to measure them.
“Of most concern was that most drivers had little idea of what they weighed. The fact we had 41 offenders I think was more by luck than any sort of planning by the driver.”
No fines were issued for overweight vans, although two tickets were issued for not having adequate mirrors for towing.
The caravanners were also asked a series of questions about the weight of their rigs, with only three claiming to have ever weighed their rig and the same number able to correctly indicate what their van weighed currently.
He said many of the caravanners were either ignorant or misguided in regards to towing regulations and safety.
“Some of those using a WDH (weight distribution hitch) believed that they allowed them to load more than the ATM into the van because it would be transferred to the car via the hitch,” he said.
A leading force behind the operation, Act Sgt Shenton said the exercise was designed to “encourage more caravan owners to think about their situation and to start to make some changes”.
“We are seeing an increasing number of single vehicle accidents and unexplained rollovers of vans,” he said. “Often these crashes can be attributed to a lack of skills, knowledge and training around the safe use of heavy caravans."
Experts including Colin Young from the Caravan Council of Australia were also in attendance, handing out information booklets explaining ratings and how to correctly weigh a caravan at a weighbridge.
A keen caravanner, Act Sgt Shenton hopes the widespread publicity generated since the operation will lead to further initiatives to encourage safe towing, including the introduction of industry reforms like a compulsory towing course for all new caravan buyers.
There are plans to conduct a similar operation with Australian Caravan Club members attending the East Gippsland Muster in March.
Tags
Share this article
Written byChris Fincham
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a caravancampingsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the caravancampingsales app
