Overweight Horseboxes

[lisan]

Have just been reading the article in this weeks H&H about the 7.5 tonners being overweight with 3 horses on board.

Anyway, I phoned my local testing station about getting my horsebox weighed, but they don't do it, so does anyone know how I get hold of a number to go and get mine weighed? There is a weighbridge just off the M6 at Preston, but don't have a clue how to get hold of anyone???

 

[Tempi]

i was under the impression that with a public weighbridge you can just drive on and use it............totally not sure tho tbh!!!!!!

we never take more than two in our lorry, its not worth the risk.

 

[the watcher]

You could try Googling public weighbridges for your local area, or phone a couple of local transport/bulk carrier companies to see if you can just run your lorry over their bridge..quite often they won't charge if you don't ask for the ticket.
As a last resort your local traffic police will have a list, cos they use them too, but you might not want to draw that much attention to yourself LOL

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Even with 2 on and all the gear you could easily be overweight!

If you want to use a weighbridge drive on, no booking nec. Word of warning though they record your registration etc and keep the record for 12 months so if you are overweight they could catch up with you. Last time I used one I "accidently" was one digit out on the number of my registration!

 

[Rambo]

How can a VOSA testing station NOT have a weighbridge !? I thought they weighed your vehicle as part of it's annual test

There's also a lot of scaremongering going on about all this overweight 7.5t's imo. I agree that many of the new vehicles...with all their shiny body work, and steel lined horse areas, tack lockers, ensuite bathrooms, Jamie Oliver style kitchens et al are pushing the limit, but I have 7.5t three stall lorry with comfortable living (no ensuite bathroom

), and it comes in at 3750kg's leaving the same again for 3 horses and all their gear and riders !

If in doubt, get it weighed but don't just assume that because it's a 7.5t'er it can't carry 3 horses safely and legally !

 

[lisan]

Thanks to a PM, I have now found somewhere fairly local where I can go get weighed

, well get the lorry weighed!!

 

[lisan]

[ QUOTE ]
How can a VOSA testing station NOT have a weighbridge !? I thought they weighed your vehicle as part of it's annual test <img src="http://horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

There's also a lot of scaremongering going on about all this overweight 7.5t's imo. I agree that many of the new vehicles...with all their shiny body work, and steel lined horse areas, tack lockers, ensuite bathrooms, Jamie Oliver style kitchens et al are pushing the limit, but I have 7.5t three stall lorry with comfortable living (no ensuite bathroom <img src="http://horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ), and it comes in at 3750kg's leaving the same again for 3 horses and all their gear and riders !

If in doubt, get it weighed but don't just assume that because it's a 7.5t'er it can't carry 3 horses safely and legally !

[/ QUOTE ]

I phoned VOSA first, as they are literally round the corner from my yard, would have been very handy!!

 

[Jo C]

Mine is weighed as part of the test and I get the print out giving me the weights - (around 5.5t if anyone is interested)! Seems strange your local test station doesn't do that - is it a 7.5t box?

 

[miller]

Mine didn't get weighed on MOT - I specifically asked the guy to look at the plating cert to tell me my payload and it's not on there!

 

[lisan]

I had my 7.5 tonne plated, and sold it two weeks ago, and have just bought a 3.5 tonne - only have one 15'3 horse.

I checked all the paperwork from the plating and nothing suggested the weight on it.

 

[Rambo]

Ah that explains the lack of weighing facilities at the test centre (I think). A 3.5t gets tested at a different category of test centre than a larger lorry. I *think* they just have a car grade MOT don't they

 

[lisan]

[ QUOTE ]
Ah that explains the lack of weighing facilities at the test centre (I think). A 3.5t gets tested at a different category of test centre than a larger lorry. I *think* they just have a car grade MOT don't they <img src="http://horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[/ QUOTE ]

I rang the VOSA Plating Centre about the weighing, not a normal garage - that was where my 7.5 tonner had its Plating.

I only just got the 3.5 tonne, I know they have a normal MOT, but want to check out how much weight I have to play with

 

[dieseldog]

It gets weighed when you go test the brakes and the weight is onthe report you get given - not sure how accurate it is as each axle is weighed seperatley

 

[Equibeau]

I am sure mine was weighed at Kirkham when they tested the brakes last year, it was 5.2T. Will find out soon when I take it again!

 

[PeterNatt]

If you go to any HGV yard such as your feed merchants they will have a weigh bridge to check that their lorries do not go out overweight.

The problem with many 7.5 ton horseboxes is their length. The longer they are the heavier they get. Also the manner in which they are built. The weight can be kept down by using aluminium planking instead of wood for the floor and building the container from aluminium. Living and water tanks are a real killer.

 

[foraday]

There are hidden weighbridges and number plate recognition places on roads around the UK. It is all done by computer and takes a second.

VOSA have a lot of powers and as reported in horse and hound letters the other day-it is the drivers responsibility to know the unladen weight and laden weight of their vehicle-including if you are towing a trailer with your 4x4.

AS the letter stated-points on licence a fine and now insurance will be more expensive. Not worth it to get caught.

Suffolk Police were at Bury ST Edmunds ODE last sunday giving out helpful leaflets about weights etc. So they are in advise mode at the moment ready to turn up to an event with VOSA another day.

With all the advise about at the moment it is wise to just check the weight of your boxes-empty and then laden.

 

[lisan]

3.5 tonner came up as 2680 without horse, but with all my tack/water/crap etc and me in it! So I can safely carry one horse.

 

[Aleka81]

Yay well done you!

 

[Rambo]

Phew.....just as well as you don't want to carry two though hey !

 

[lisan]

Any excuse not to have to take the freeloaders out!!!!

 

[AlexThe Arab]

Interesting to hear that the local Police had 4 vehicles together with VOSA at Fakenham Races (Norfolk) today, pulling over horseboxes and trailers of all sizes for inspection.