Great morning appointment yesterday, measuring the tare weight of an overnighter/horse float in beautiful Scenic Rim.
Jeff needed to weigh the horse float to verify the tare weight of the trailer. He had some doubt about the stamped tare on the compliance plate.
I had to take some minor roads with heavy gravel and a deep creek crossing. Thankfully, my tradies’ trailer carrying the calibrated caravan scales made it over the rough ground easily. The standard two-inch tow ball hitch handled the undulating track easily, and the old Jeep Cherokee smoothed out the rough and rocky trail to the big green shed where the horse float was stored under cover.
I’m far from the city and the horse float was ready for weighing on a perfectly flat concrete pad, shaded by the metal roof.
Jeff only wanted the horse float weighed today. He was confident his Landcruiser would manage the horse float easily. Knowing the tare weight and comparing this to the factory’s compliance plate gave Jeff the confidence to load horses and enough camping items for a few days.
The figures came in as follows:
Front right wheel: 395kg
Front left wheel: 424kg
Rear right wheel: 575kg
Rear left wheel: 504kg
Front axle: 819kg
Rear axle: 1079kg
Gooseneck weight: 754kg
Total tare weight: 2,652kg
The very high gooseneck weight is due to the design of this trailer. Being a gooseneck style hitch, a large portion of the overall weight sits over the rear axle of the tow vehicle. More weight on the hitch than a normal caravan, and right in the middle of the bed of the ute, instead of on the tow bar.
The axles and wheels of this horse float are further rearward than most caravans. The weight is shared between the two vehicles’ wheels for better handling and a comfortable towing rig.
It was a stunning weighing appointment on this beautiful morning in Innisplain Qld., just 25kms south of Beaudesert. I recommend a day visit or camping trip to this area. The Scenic Rim has running streams, mountain vistas, and grassy plains for cattle. Campgrounds are located throughout the Scenic Rim region, and many have easy on-road caravan access.
I’m available for mobile caravan weighing right throughout the Scenic Rim, either by personal, single appointments, or special mobile caravan weighing days in the Scenic Rim area.
Remember! You can also book weighing for other trailers and vehicles like tractors. I can weigh up to a maximum of 2,000kg per wheel.
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