The show this week we start the show with Peter Kierith from The Aviation Museum at Narromine.
Many people are surprised to learn that flying at Narromine started as early as 1919. Australia ’s oldest regional aero club, which is still active, was formed there ten years later. A host of famous aviators made regular visits during the 1920s and 30s.
World War II veterans knew Narromine for the Tiger Moths of No.5 Elementary Flying Training School, the start of what was for many, such as Rawdon Middleton VC, an epic career in military flying.
The Mosquito bomber men of the Royal Air Force’s top-secret 618 Squadron had a different experience. They left the UK in late 1944 for the Far East, destination unknown, and arrived in Narromine to find a haven of country hospitality.
The sport of gliding, too, has roots at Narromine which go back to the 1940s. Today, the region is considered to be among the world’s best soaring sites.
Within the museum walls is a captivating exhibition of artefacts, documents and photographs which tell the story of aviation as it unfolded on one of Australia ’s most historic aerodromes.
If you have not been for a visit its a must if your driving through.
Home
Next up Phill is chatting with Geoff DeAth and the topic of discussion is Compliance Plates.
Compliance plates are generally found inside your tunnel boot. These plates are important but there is no standardised information between caravan companies.
Most manufacturers detail the tare mass, gross trailer mass, and also the tow ball with a couple of details eg: tow ball at tare and maximum tow ball loading.
Another item that may be listed is tyre pressure. Have you checked your compliance plate and do you understand it?
Details that you may find on a Caravan Compliance Plate:
Manufacturer
Name of Manufacturer
Make /Model
The model of the caravan
VIN Number
This is the unique number belonging to this vehicle and is used by RMS, Police etc to identify vehicle – check registration is current etc.
Date of Manufacture
Date the caravan was built.
TARE MASS
The manufactured weight of the caravan – doesn’t include extra’s ordered after manufacture or put on the caravan by the dealership. Doesn’t include gas (or sometimes the bottles) or water. We are finding that some (but not all) caravans manufactured by major manufacturers now are being weighed when manufactured. In previous years they may not have been. However there seems that there is no legal imperative that they have to. They can calculate it based on the specs of the build.
So beware – if the manufacturer doesn’t weigh your caravan when applying the compliance plate – then your caravan may start off heavier than you thought.
ATM Rating
The maximum permissible weight of the caravan unhitched to the vehicle
GTM Rating
Maximum permissible weight of the caravan whilst HITCHED to the tow vehicle
For a more in depth explanation of GTM, ATM etc Download our
FREE Report on Caravan Weight Acronyms.
Axle Group Rating
Maximum weight specified by the axle manufacturer. This can be the same or higher than the GTM or ATM Rating.
Ball Loading at TARE
The ball loading at TARE is often mistaken as a recommended ball weight – this is incorrect. This is supposed to be the ball weight of the caravan when manufactured. It’s taken when empty and is quite misleading as the ball weight will change as soon as weight is added to the caravan.
Maximum Permissible Ball Loading
The maximum the tow ball weight can be when the caravan is fully loaded.
TYRES
I get asked about tyre pressures a lot – and see questions on Facebook groups about tyre pressures. Maybe the compliance plate is a good place to start ?
· Rim Size and Profile
· Tyre Size
· Tyre Pressure cold at TARE
· Tyre Pressure cold at GTM
· Tyre Speed Rating
If you have any questions about tyre pressures, go to your your local tyre dealer.
SUMMARY
Now not every compliance plate will have all of this information.
And just to make life confusing check your registration papers in NSW.
Roads & Maritime Service (RMS) list the caravan weight as GVM, however caravans don’t have a GVM, they have GTM and ATM. Caravan Weight Acronyms Explained
And most of the time your GTM is listed as GVM on your registration.
But sometimes it is the ATM. Confused – Yes – join the club.
And sometimes the caravan manufacturer won’t list a GTM or even TARE on the compliance plate.
Jayco don’t list TARE on their compliance plates anymore….
There’s probably a good reason for this – but I can’t find one. I think it’s because even though Jayco weigh the caravans at manufacture – the dealership regularly adds “stuff” – so the TARE can’t be wrong if it’s not listed !
And one last thing to make it more confusing.
Chassis Plate
The chassis may have been built by a third party who supplies to different caravan manufacturers. And the chassis builder may have rated the chassis to a certain weight. This can be more than the GTM and /or ATM. It doesn’t mean your caravan can be this weight.
Eg: The chassis manufacturers GTM 1300 kg. (photo below) the GTM set by the caravan manufacturer may be only 1200 kg. So your caravan’s GTM limit is 1200 kg.
Hope this article helps a bit with compliance plates.
Next up on the show is chatting with Deb and Chrissy who are volunteering at the Mundi Mundi Bash. Deb has been to the bash before but this time volunteering and is a road marshal, checking the people as they enter. Checking wrist bands and car stickers.
They were interested in the line up but the tickets had sold out, they get to see the concert without having to pay. Her partner is also a marshal.
Chrissy bought a ticket and came along with Deb and her partner, and then decided to volunteer, Deb is Chrissy support person as she suffered a brain injury from a car accident. She said its a great experience and also travelling alone. Chrissy is on the information desk. https://mundimundibash.com.au/volunteer-overview
