Catastrophic failures of Tow Ball Scales

[the evil twin]

Hi all,

In the last two weeks there has been a large increase in dangerous failures of telescopic style Tow Ball Weight Scales.

Some sections have been reportedly found up to 50 metres away if at all.

The chain of events is usually 2 to 3 hundred Kg download and the Scales slipping out from drawbars or ball hitches and/or having sufficient force to push the Draw bar sideways enough to burst out from underneath (even with the Van Brakes applied).

The inner section and spring then burst thru the retaining mechanism with immense force

If you use these style scales please PLEASE be very careful and preferably only use one constructed and certified to A.S.

Even then use extreme care and "unload" the scales using the jockey wheel before moving weight/repacking van/trailer.

Some of the failures have involved reputable brands so may have been operator error.


Disc... link is for illustrative purposes only... do your own research and sourcing
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TOWSAFE-TOW-BALL-WEIGHT-SCALES-A-FRAME-ADAPTOR-CARAVAN-TRAILER-DRAWBAR/251441774358?hash=item3a8b18ff16:g:tzgAAOSwt6ZWVo0 6:rk:15:pf:0

[Winnie]

Good advice mate but could you possibly post a link to a safer and more suitable device for doing the same job?

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Cuppa]

My tow hitch scales are a tad more agricultural, but used as I use them are, I believe, pretty safe. Basically I use a set of old hospital scales, a metal beefed up version of the average bathroom scales. They wouldn’t handle 300kg, but are adequate for the Tvan.

I have the jockey wheel down, wind it high enough to insert a length of timber between tow hitch & scales & slowly lower until the jockey wheel is only just off the ground. If for any reason the timber were to give way the jockey wheel is only a couple of millimetres away from saving the day & avoiding potential injury.

We only have a ball weight of 105 —110kg, but any sudden movement with even that could be nasty. 300kg worse!

Surely no-one would be silly enough to use any form of scales without the backup of the jockey wheel . ..... would they?

[the evil twin]

Good advice mate but could you possibly post a link to a safer and more suitable device for doing the same job?

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Hiya Winnie... either your local weighbridge or this style https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/watch-your-weight-with-reich-portable-caravan-scales-110152/

Load cells like the Reich aren't exactly cheap but they have the advantage of doing, ball weight, axle weight and your tow vehicle.

[the evil twin]

snip...

Surely no-one would be silly enough to use any form of scales without the backup of the jockey wheel . ..... would they?

I am led to believe thru 3rd hand info that at least one instance the drawbar moved sideways and the jockey wheel happily went with it, Boat Trailer handbrake was on (but most Van handbrakes suck, mine certainly do) road wheels were not chocked, old mate was shuffling some stuff around to increase load and... lurch... BANG!!!!

Scary shit when you think about it mate... The brand was a very well known one too, but in this case the events were started by the useage I spose. Still didn't stop the end result tho.
I've seen the pics but won't mention the brand as I don't have first hand knowledge of the events, suffice to say we have been barred from using those style devices A.S. or not.

[mudnut]

Reich are around the $250-300 but coughing that up would be better than having a bit of brass fished out of your brain.

[Cuppa]

Dunno about other states but in Vic VicRoads now provide free weighbridges in several locations throughout the state.