Business advice

How do you know how much weight your vehicle can legally carry?

 

A Midlands region FMB member bought a new two-axle, rigid body 2400cc Ford Tipper transit in a ‘crew cab and chassis’ format to use as a general workhorse for his construction business.

 

He had the vehicle modified with the addition of an alloy tipper body, and from the information plate on the truck itself, assumed he could carry 1.25 tonnes.

Not long ago though, he was pulled over by the police and taken to a weighbridge, where his truck was subsequently found to be overloaded. He then had to send another vehicle to take off some of the load resulting in a loss of valuable work time for four tradesmen.

He realises now that the vehicle with its new body should have been weighed to establish it’s loading capability, this particular vehicle regularly carries up to five passengers, so their weight and the weight of any tools should also have been included.

With the new body and with a full compliment of passengers, this vehicle can carry less than a tonne – not even a pallet of bricks!

This particular member was cautioned and now awaits possible prosecution. If you are the driver of an overloaded vehicle, the owner of it, the user of it or if you have simply allowed the vehicle to be used and the plated weights are exceeded on the highway, you’ll be committing an offence.

So how do you know how much your vehicle can legally carry?

All commercial vehicles carry either a manufacturer's or Department of Transport plate showing this information. Usually found in either the foot-wells or on the chassis, it will give the permitted axle weights and gross weights for use in the UK.

(Do not confuse the gross train weight (or GTW) with the gross vehicle weight (or GVW). The gross train weight only applies if you are towing a trailer).

In the UK always use the weight marked ‘maximum permitted for UK use’ or similar.

You can legally drive to the nearest public weighbridge to weigh your vehicle. But, if you discover your vehicle is overloaded you have to remove some of your load before continuing your journey.

Police Officers, Trading Standards Officers and Department of Transport Officers are all authorised to weigh vehicles that they suspect may be overloaded, if you refuse to comply or obstruct the officer, you are commiting an offence.

You could be issued with a ‘Prohibition Notice’. This will prevent you from continuing your journey until you unload enough goods to bring your vehicle’s weight down to the plated weight or, in the case of an axle overload, redistribute the load to correct the overload.

You may then be asked to travel to a particular place to off load, along a specific route, you will also be asked to stay below to a maximum speed. Then before you continue your journey, you must receive a ‘Removal of Prohibition Notice’. Driving whilst prohibited is an offence.

Know your plated weights, not forgetting individual axle weights

• Distribute your load to avoid axle overloads
  
• Check-weigh on the nearest weighbridge, each and every load you carry. (Individual axles can also be checked on conventional weighbridges)
  
• Know your vehicle’s tare weight (i.e. it’s empty weight before you add your intended load)
  
• Use documents, such as delivery notes to ascertain the load carried
  
• After off-loading part of a load, remember to check the distribution of the remaining load
  
• Remember the gross weight, for overloading purposes, includes the driver and passengers.

Uneven loads can make the vehicle or trailer unstable, so loads should be spread as evenly as possible during loading and unloading (not to one side of the vehicle or right at the back).

• Racking may help stability
  
• Make sure the vehicle has its brakes applied and all stabilisers are used to make it as stable as possible
  
• NEVER overload the vehicle, overloaded vehicles can become unstable, difficult to steer or be less able to brake
  
• Check the floor or deck of the loading area before loading to make sure it is safe. Look out for debris, broken boarding, etc.
  
• When pallets are used, check that they are in good condition and loads are properly secured to them
  
• Ensure that loads are safe on the vehicle. They may need to be securely attached using the lashing rings with tie down straps so they cannot move about or fall off
  
• Tailgates and sideboards must be closed when possible. If overhang cannot be avoided, it must be kept to a minimum and the over-hanging part of the load must be clearly marked
  
• Checks must be made before unloading to make sure loads have not shifted during transit, and are not likely to move or fall when restraints are removed.
  
  

The Trading Standards service can tell you where the nearest public weighbridge is to you. You can visit the Trading Standards website at: www.tradingstandards.co.uk

All enquiries concerning maximum weights of rigid vehicles, trailers and articulated combinations should be referred to:

Transport, Technology and Standards Department for Transport Zone 2/01,
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

Email: tts.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Mark Gaul of Bybridge Construction is the Master Builder of the Year 2007. As overall winner he won up to £20,000 to spend on a Nissan Light Commercial vehicle of his choice, and he had no hesitation in plumping for the Nissan Cabstar.

Its predecessor was a firm favourite with owner/operators and now, after a comprehensive series of improvements and enhancements, the all new Nissan Cabstar builds on a strong reputation for reliability, low running costs, ease of operation and sheer load carrying ability.