replied:

Put chassis stand on scale (or weighbridge) and rest ball receiver on stand.

Member - Alan H (Narangba QLD replied:

Have the van stand free and place the jockey wheel on bathroom scales

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Member - Graham H (QLD) replied:

Most caravan experts will say it SHOULDNT BE LESS THAN 10%

If you go to a weigh bridge Drive on weigh everything, as if u r going tripping That is, fully loaded with all people in as well
This gives GCVM.
Drive car off weigh van including towball. Disconnected from car.
U can then either back it up and just have towball on a jack or a Trailamate and that will give u the towball weight
You could also drive forward a bit and disconnect van and weigh it with just the wheels on the scales
Deduct that weight from prev weight will give u ball weight.
Then u will find how much you have to leave behind to remain legal. LOL

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Member - Alan H (Narangba QLD replied:

Towball weight calculation

Try this site to find out how to get towball weight with bathroom scalles for heavy weights beyond the scale limit.

It works fine.

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DIO replied:

Yep, sure is. What you need is a Maytow Jack/Scales a multi purpose peice of equipment that will provide an accurate answer for you.Maytow Scales

Member - barry F (NSW) replied:

Hi George, We live in Newcastle NSW & there is an Automotive retailer called ISP, bit like Auto Pro, Repco etc.

ISP have a set of Hayman Reese scales, designed specifically for weighing tow ball weight.

They do not charge a cent for there use, however they do charge a $100 deposit when you pick them up and give you your $100 back when you return them

Check out you local Automotive retailers, maybe they offer the same service. Good luck

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disco1942 replied:

It is not much good finding your tow ball weight unless you know the total weight. To get your van weights:

1. remove your WDH

2. drive across the weighbridge until your tugs rear wheels are clear of the bridge

3. have the operator weigh the van - this will give you the axle weight

4. uncouple the van with the jockey wheel on the bridge

5. get another weighbridge figure - this will give you the total weight

6. subtract the axle weight from the total weight - this gives the ball weight.

Hopefully your ball weight will be between 8 & 15% of the total weight and not heavier than the tow vehicles maximum permitted tow ball weight.

Some people will refer to the weights obtained in steps 3 & 5 as the GTM and ATM. However this is not technically correct. The GTM & ATM are the defined weights that are stamped on the compliance plate and are figures that the van when loaded must not exceed.

The Maytow weighing jacks are OK to obtain your vans ball weight. However if you wish to weigh the axle weight, the jacks must be positioned under the tyres - the closer you shift them to the centre of the van the higher the indicated figure will be.

PeterD

Member - George (WA) replied:

A big thank you to every one that has contributed to my question on tow ball weight. I now have a variety of options to follow up. I like the bathroom scales and 1200 long board divided in 3 sections. I will test the theory against other suggestions
Cheers

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