Probably a stupid question but how's the weight of a lorry determined?

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SpruceRI

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Friend has a VW LT35 lorry conversion which is stalled for 2 with a small amount of living. (Seat/sink/hob).

Was having a conversation with her the other day about its' weight carrying capacity and asked whether it was a 3.5 ton or a 5 ton? She said that all it says on the log book is 'not to exceed 7.5 ton'.

So, is the maximum weight [of lorry and contents] determined by its size, the weight of the lorry itself, or the engine? Can you have it upgraded?

We often go on trips with my girl who weighs about 450kg, and one of her kid's ponies who are between 450kg and 600kg I'd say.

What happens if VOSA stops you and you're found to be overweight? Are you expected to jettison the water/feed/hay or even the horse?
 
It will have the weight on the plating certificate ,I think .There is the back axle weight and the front axle weight. You want these to come to about 5.5 ton, then you can easily carry two horses and equipment, I believe if they stop you, and a lot are getting stopped, if you are over weight or do not have passports its a hefty fine and they won't let you continue
 
So are all makes of lorry a set weight?

Years ago I had a petrol Transit with an ancient Ifor Williams body. That was 2.5 tons.

Then I bought and had converted a Ford Transit Diesel which was 3.5 tons. I could actually get a bigger horse in the 2.5 ton because of the layout, but only every carried my pony and her Shetland mate.
 
We used to have a LT35 - the gross weight was 3.5 tonnes. I think your friend should definitely check. The gross weight is the maximum laden permitted weight when laden - i.e. people, water, fuel, horses, dogs etc. If you are stopped and have to go on a weighbridge and found to be overweight, you will be made to take enough weight off to make you legal - even if this is the horses. You will not be allowed to carry on your journey until you are within the legal weight. The best thing to do is for your friend to take the lorry with a full tank of fuel, but unladen to a public weighbridge and have it weighed. Then you will know how much you are allowed to carry. Our LT35 weighed 2.5 tonnes unladen - but it didn't have any living. As we only took one Arab out and about in it, we were fine.
 
Thanks for that. How do I find out where the nearest public weighbridge is, and do I have to book in or can you just turn up at these things?

My friend thinks I'm mad to be worried about it, so thought next time I borrowed it I could nip to the weighbridge on the way back!!
 
Check your County Council's website, or call their Trading Standards department. Quarries oftem have them. I have 1 50m from my office!
 
If it is a LT35 then it is a 3.5 Ton unless it has been up-rated in the past but if it has it would not be to as much as 5.5 ton let alone 7.5 ton.

Your friend has mis-read. The weight should also be indicated on the plate certificate which will be affixed to the lorry probably somewhere within the cab. (Not to be confused with the MOT certificate).
 
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