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Post by maplegum on Apr 7, 2015 15:34:44 GMT 10
We are in the process of getting everything sorted to get the van registered with Vic Roads.
Our vans tare weight is 630kg - took it to a weigh bridge. The van was empty, no luggage, no water in tank etc. The van is a 10.5ft
How do we get the ATM weight?
Vic Roads suggested we speak with caravan manufacturers to get them to estimate. All of the caravan manufacturers we call wont assist us. Short of getting an engineers report, how do you get through this hurdle?
How have you worked out your ATM for Vic Roads?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by gregh on Apr 7, 2015 16:24:45 GMT 10
Take it to a trailer place and get them to determine what your suspension/brake setup is designed to carry; that should solve your problem.  Cheers, Greg |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Apr 7, 2015 16:50:11 GMT 10
For registration in Vic, (& have done it 3 times), all we had to do was have the weighbridge docket, the receipt for the van, the length of the van & all lights proven to be working, including number plate light & correct reflectors.Also correct safety chains et al. It was a very painless process.
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Post by maplegum on Apr 7, 2015 19:26:21 GMT 10
Thank you everyone. Hope our trip to Vic Roads tomorrow is painless also. We finally managed to get hold of someone who has shed some light on the ATM weight. The caravan will be registered under a 'light trailer pack' as it wont exceed the 750kg
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Post by firefighter on Apr 7, 2015 19:59:54 GMT 10
Our vans tare weight is 630kg - took it to a weigh bridge.
ATM...Aggregate Tare Mass...your tare weigh 630kg plus your pay load of 300 kg = 930 kg your tare weigh.....this includes water, gas, spare wheel ,food, clothing, grog, ever thing you put in the van can only weigh 300 kg,s
cheers f/f
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Post by maplegum on Apr 7, 2015 20:31:47 GMT 10
Our vans tare weight is 630kg - took it to a weigh bridge. ATM...Aggregate Tare Mass...your tare weigh 630kg plus your pay load of 300 kg = 930 kg your tare weigh.....this includes water, gas, spare wheel ,food, clothing, grog, ever thing you put in the van can only weigh 300 kg,s cheers f/f How do you come to the pay load of 300kg? Is this a 'default' figure that is always used? We are terribly confused by this. If we claim a ATM of 750kg or less, we can register as a light trailer pack and do not need to bring the van to Vic Roads, its just paperwork to complete. If its over 750kg ATM, we need to bring the van in for an inspection. Is it better for us to list it over the ATM of 750kg? |
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Post by gregh on Apr 7, 2015 21:52:59 GMT 10
Regardless of which state you live in, the type of tyres, axle springs and brakes fitted determines the gross loaded towing weight capacity of your van. Deduct real weight of your caravan from this figure gives you the maximum load you can put on your caravan. For example, lets say your caravans suspension/tyre/axle/brake configuration is assessed and determined to be of a weight carrying capacity of 1000kg, then based on the actual caravans un-laiden weight, you can put up to 370kg load in your van. If you register your 630kg caravan as a 750kg trailer, then the maximum load you can place on the caravan is 120kg. Given that a litre of water weighs 1kg, once you have filled the water tank, there's little room weight wise for anything else - something to keep in mine. If you are pulled over by the scallies and your van is over 750kg, you'll be booked/fined as overloaded. Personally I'd have the van towing capacity assessed - it's to your advantage.. Just trying to be helpful Greg |
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Post by firefighter on Apr 7, 2015 22:28:52 GMT 10
G/day MG
Check out this thread on the caravanners forum
caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56587
Also check out what diamond and elite also new age and universal caravans has posted......general rule of thumb as recommend by the caravan industry's .... single axle van pay load 300kgs...twin axle payload 400 kgs Also check out what Coronet say about up grades to chassis and running gear
Greg is right do the right thing by the law..... nobody wants to pay finds or have your van left on the side of the road or trucked home
cheers f/f |
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Post by maplegum on Apr 7, 2015 22:51:31 GMT 10
Now it's all starting to make sense, thank you!
Very informative link f/f.
We just want to do the right thing and make the registration process go as smoothly as possible. The advise I receive on this forum is so helpful. Thank you for your assistance everyone
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Post by boblor on Apr 8, 2015 14:09:10 GMT 10
Hi maplegum
firefighter is on target and correct with with his statements. There are some circumstances where it may vary, my brother has just purchased a new tamden axle model with heavier wheel bearings and axle to match and was allowed 600kgs over tare.
99% of the time the 300/400 rule is applied.
Cheers boblor
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Post by JBJ on Apr 8, 2015 20:37:54 GMT 10
Hi All,
So to the uneducated like me, to solve the risk that the loaded van, ready to be used, was over the Aggregate Tare Mass (ATM), it would be wise to take the van to the weighbridge with nearly everything that would be used in it. Not take it stripped as light as possible.
That way you would have a tare weight that is realistic, then when the 300 is added, it stays under what the actual fully loaded & ready to tow weight is (ATM).
When you look at registration costs that are based on cost, the variation in cost as the van is heavier is not a real large portion of the cost of caravanning in my eyes.
You can always get it weighed , then check rego costs. If you feel you can save enough, then pull stuff out & get it re weighed, if neccessary at a second weighbridge, if you think the cost saving is worth it.
I would prefer to have a realistic ATM, than save $25 to $50 on rego.
JBJ
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Post by mibosa on Apr 8, 2015 21:51:26 GMT 10
A fair portion of the comments above relate to doing the right thing in obtaining caravan registration.
As a side issue, many of us have viewed footage of tow vehicles getting into difficulty when the caravan starts to get the wobbbles, sometimes ending up in a roll-over or jack-knife situation. Anyone attempting to dodge their responsibilities when it comes to registration as to weight/load, and ending up in such an unfortunate predicament, could find themselves (and their vehicles) under scrutiny at the crash scene by the police or later at the yard where the wreckage is taken. Previous discussion has been held on this forum regarding insurance cover, so it should not come as any surprise to forum readers that an insurance company may not pay up if there were any doubts as to compliance with any laws or Australian Standards. And that might just be for a non-injury incident, but if there were serious injuries or fatalities involved, then it will be too late to turn the clock back and wish you had complied with the rules and regulations. Whilst I haven't yet got my VV renno onto the road, this thread has been a timely reminder for me to look at all the issues raised, even though my van is currently registered and there is no need for me to please any vehicle inspectors.
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Post by maplegum on Apr 9, 2015 8:04:29 GMT 10
After taking the van to an engineering firm dealing in trailers, they have looked at our set (axle, springs etc) and told us our van would have ATM limit of 1000kg. So that's what we are listing. We feel better having them look over it.
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Post by King Fisher on Apr 16, 2015 12:46:49 GMT 10
When we registered Bessie in Vic it was too easy. 1. Got a weighbridge docket 1040kg 2. Arranged an appointment 3. Ring vic roads and get a vin no. And stamped onto draw bar. As we had no serial number on our van 4. Inspection checked vin and length and lights only. 4. Was asked what the gross weight (fully loaded) was and answered 1700kq (which is now recorded on the rego) 5. Paid money and recieved plates. No electrical or gas checks or even a look inside or underneath... Jut be prepared with all the paperwork imaginable and you probably won't need it  . |
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Post by maplegum on Apr 16, 2015 13:41:15 GMT 10
When we registered Bessie in Vic it was too easy. 1. Got a weighbridge docket 1040kg 2. Arranged an appointment 3. Ring vic roads and get a vin no. And stamped onto draw bar. As we had no serial number on our van 4. Inspection checked vin and length and lights only. 4. Was asked what the gross weight (fully loaded) was and answered 1700kq (which is now recorded on the rego) 5. Paid money and recieved plates. No electrical or gas checks or even a look inside or underneath... Jut be prepared with all the paperwork imaginable and you probably won't need it . We now have the van registered. Similar experience that you described. A very quick measurement taken, checked the stamp on draw bar and lights, and we were done. All that worry over what took less than 2 minutes! Although the waiting around took far longer as their computer system was down so that slowed things up inside Vic Roads. We are really surprised at the minimal checks they do. Almost concerning really. |
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Post by dishevelled on Aug 8, 2015 16:29:33 GMT 10
Hello fellow enthusiasts,
I have an old 9.5 ft Atlantic (I think) that I am slowly repairing. It doesn't have brakes & I have yet to get it weighed but it may be similar to your weight. To my understanding, my tow vehicle can only legally tow the van (if the ATM is over 750kg's), if the caravan has brakes. So as I understand it, it is no more legal to have the higher ATM without the brakes?? Have you fitted brakes to your caravan? Did it come with brakes?
Please correct me if I am mistaken as I am still trying to work this out too.
Many thanks & any word of wisdom welcome.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 9, 2015 11:43:29 GMT 10
G'day Dishevelled,
You may not have a problem with your van. It depends a little bit on how old your Atlantic is, and whether it is one of the earlier bondwood clad models or a later aluminium clad one.
The bondwood clad Atlantics from around 1960 were advertised as being 6 hundredweight, converting to 304 kgs. In comparison the aluminium clad Atlantics from around 1967 were advertised as being 7 hundredweight, conveting to 355 kgs. Either way they were pretty lightweight.
The weights given would be 'dry weight', meaning that they do not allow for water in the water tanks or any personal belongings, etc. In considering towing weight you obviously need to allow for what you put into the van for touring, but youve still got a fair bit of leeway before you reach 750 kgs.
Hope that helps.
Don Ricardo
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