A weighty issue.....
Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 07:18
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Sooty & Sue
I thought I would share the following as a tale of woe as I don't want anyone else to get caught short through lack on knowledge. Well here's a real pickle to ponder.......fortunately it has only cost me money, quite a lot though. On the basis of a magazine article about an F250 I approached a custom canopy maker. Now you need to bear in mind I had no real idea about what I was doing at this stage. I read an article, I had an F250 and I knew where to get the canopy made....what could be more simple.
So plans were made and some months later the canopy was built. When I went to pick it up the rear suspension seemed rather low but I did have an ali tray on it previously so I reasoned it was an optical thing (as I said brand new at this). So we go home together and I test load it 4.9t - 700kg over the GVM. Still unaware (didn't know what GVM was at this point) I posted an enquiry about upgrading brakes etc. and suddenly became well aware of my predicament.
Anyway panicking like I do, further research and more dollars and the effie has dual wheels, up-graded suspension and, all things being equal, an engineers certificate issued tomorrow to upgrade the GVM to 5.2t.
Had I not done a trial pack and gone over the weighbridge I would have been in all sorts of poo.
I will be writing a magazine article about the process I've gone through as I'd hate someone else to have to experience the budget blow outs I've had to cope with. The article will focus on those who've helped me out particularly ARB at Richmond, Victoria (Paul Saultry and staff), Rocket Sports Trucks, Braeside, Victoria (Don and Tim) and the engineer (hopefully) Andrew E.
So, in summary I suffered the loss of a few (lots of) dollars but my insurance will be intact. Why am I writing this, I suppose to show where it can all go wrong. Good luck to all others embarking on this process - selfishly, I was too scared to think that the insurance could be invalidated and the last few decades of work could be lost in a instant. Separately I really don't want to think about the colliding with someone.
John
Reply By: Grumblebum & Dragon - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:54
Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:54
That's a tough one John,
Lesson is do your research before commiting to $$$. How much did the truck weigh originally - did you get a weight for the canopy etc etc. It's easy to be smart after the event. We don't also do the due diligence we should - me included.
On the bright side you now have a well engineered rig for peace of mind and no troubles insurance wise and you have waved the warning flag for others that may follow - well done. The money is spent.... so forget it and just enjoy the lifestyle.
John
AnswerID:
573161
Follow Up By: Sooty & Sue - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:26
Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:26
Hi John
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You're right about the engineering etc. The reason for the post was to try to safe others falling into hole I did.
Can't wait for the lifestyle to begin. We leave home at the end of this month and pick up the 'van at end of Nov then off to the Never Never, meeting new friends on the way. Can't wait for it all to begin.
john
FollowupID:
848713
Reply By: adams44 - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 17:17
Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 17:17
Hi John & Sue,
It sounds as if you have had your share off stress over the truck, however it is best to be leagal for all reasons, have you considered now that when you see a sign on the road that requires any truck over 4.5 to pull over and get inspected what you will do, have you also upgraded your licence to dive a vechile over 4.5 tonne, and finally you suggest that you have not picked up your van yet, and at this stage you only have 300kg left for the ball weight of the BT whick could go anywhere from that 300kg to 450kg might be best to check with BT now to find out what the ball weight will, i am only thinking that if you have bought a F250 then you van will be over the 20ft mark. Also make sure that before you pick up the van you check the ball weight yourself, you can buy a 'jack weigh' from several places and they are money well spent, and furthur a good idea is on the test run before you have paid the final payment take the van over the weigh bridge to ensure that the van has been correctly plated.
Great that you have had the spine to report a very concerning issue to newbys and of course all those who are travelling overweight and have been for years and almost boast about it.
Regards
AnswerID:
573162
Follow Up By: Sooty & Sue - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 19:50
Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 19:50
Hi Adams44 - strange name :-)
Plenty of stress - at the time of writing the certificate hasn't been issued by the engineer because he's been too busy to get to it- more stress. I'm assured it's not a problem with anything other than his time!!!!!
I'm not too worried about the issue of what seems like a small amount of weight left for the ball weight of the van because some of the gear that will initially be in the truck will be moved to the van, thus the load spread out and GCM comes more into the equation (not sure if that was very eloquent but hopefully you know what I mean). In short I am very hopeful I've covered the remaining basis - God I hope so! I've also spoken to BTI and had them give me best estimates on weight and again we should be OK.
As for the last part of your post - yep, I got caught and I don't want others to do so.
Both Sue and I have done our light truck licences so we're legal there - we had to otherwise there'd be another loophole for the insurers to use. As for pulling over, well if we have to we have to though some of the reg's appear only to relate to vehicles carrying goods in certain circumstances - I guess we'll pull over the first time and see what the go is.
Cheeers
John
FollowupID:
848714
