I was lucky!

[RobW]

Out in the 7.5T Iveco today at work and have not been out in one for ages. Anyway, did my drops then heading back to the depot was messaged via the sat nav to get a collection. No problem, was told it was Caterpillar tracks on 2 pallets totalling 1000kg.

For those who do not know, 7.5T means max total weight. The Iveco weighs 5.1T with driver and full of fuel, leaving 2.4T for cargo.

As I was told they were 1 ton, I thought no more of it, got them loaded and headed back to the depot.

Stopped by an unmarked car because my OSR tyres were looking soft and they asked me to follow them to the VOSA station to get weighed. I was still under the impression the pallets were 1 ton in total having been told this and having asked at the collection point!

The VOSA scales were off being calibrated so the police said to get back to depot and get tyre pumped up.

Went to take the tracks off and the 2 ton fork lift struggled! Basically, I was probably a good ton and a half overweight! Lucky escape!

So, let it be a warning, even if you are not sure, refuse!!

[doughy]

Oh man that could of been your lively hood at stake, glad you got off lightly

[lizard]

Close call there matey, IIRC it's a £10 fine per kilo over or something similar...

[soulman]

you were certainly lucky there Rob......

[BigWilko]

OOOOOOHHHHHHHH. A guy i work with got pulled in his. 7501kg! they let him go. They should have told him to lay off the pies! Then he got pulled in his Merc 311. 3711kg win some loose some.

[RobW]

Its going to make me think twice from now on.

So many people hear 7.5T and think thats the cargo weight, not realising its the weight of the van too.

Usually out in a LWB Crafter and am never usually even near my weight on that.

[Steven]

Jeez Rob you were lucky bud, down here i doubt they would have been so leniant

[RobW]

The thing that helps (I think) is showing respect to the police.

I have to say that they have never done me wrong and are really good crack. Was even asking what the laws were on pocket knives!!

So, if its £10 per kg, I could have been looking at a £10000 fine?! ****!

[macdad]

Rob..Some years ago the company i worked for were fined £1200, i was driving our 311 sprinter which as you know are rated at 3500 kg loaded inc driver and fuel,van weighs 2250 kg,this leaves 1250 kg load rating.

I was sent by my firm to pick up some extension leads which equaled 2 pallets,they were in unmarked boxes,so weight was unknown,but estimated to be around a ton....it was actually 1.800 kg,i myself did'nt get fined,because the boxes wer'nt marked...you were very lucky mate.

[3.2wales]

I got booked last week for towing a trailer (Decontamination unit) as my total weight was over 3.5T they let me go on my way with a £200 on the spot fine no points