Vanweigh Townsville targets gap in market for weighing vehicles and trailers

Targeting a gap in the market, a Townsville business is accurately weighing vehicles and trailers to avoid insurance and legal pitfalls. See why it’s important.

Ross McLennan launched new business Vanweigh after struggling to weigh his vehicle and trailer before a holiday. Picture: Supplied.

The struggle to get his car and caravan weighed accurately before embarking on a family holiday around Australia, has inspired former Townsville Chamber of Commerce CEO Ross McLennan to pursue a new business venture.

Whether it's a caravan, camper trailer, boat trailer, horse float, or special-purpose trailer, it is critical for motorists to ensure their vehicle and the trailer meet the minimum standards and loaded mass limits, otherwise they risk a range of legal and insurance consequences.

After visiting the free weighbridges a number of times, which measured in increments of 20kg, Mr McLennan said he still felt unsure about the compliance of his set-up.

“You want a pretty accurate report to know exactly where you are when you’re setting up to travel,” Mr McLennan said.

“If there is an incident or an accident, insurance companies will … weigh it to make sure that you were compliant at the time of the incident.

Demonstration of Vanweigh Townsville's mobile weighing service. Picture: Supplied.

“Police are starting to enforce these measures … they’re setting up on the sides of roads in the morning and just like they would pull you over for a random breath test or a roadworthy check, they’ll also weigh your car and your van … and if you are non-compliant, you can get a fine.”

Inspired after seeing specialist weighing business Vanweigh Perth in action, Mr McLennan spoke with owner Ric McDonald about the possibility of launching a Vanweigh operation in Townsville.

Vanweigh owner Ross McLennan has launched a new business after his time with the Townsville Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Supplied.

Following several visits to Perth and on-the-job training, Mr McLennan launched Vanweigh Townsville last September, offering a to-your-door mobile weighing service for Townsville, Ayr, Ingham and Charter Towers.

“We often are asked to weigh setup’s at the time of purchase. This allows us to clearly show how much capacity there is in the caravan, the car and the combination,” he said.

Demonstration of Vanweigh Townsville's mobile weighing service. Picture: Supplied.

Digital display of Vanweigh Townsville's mobile weighing service. Picture: Supplied.

“All we need is a flat surface, like a concrete slab, or bitumen, that’s a couple of metres longer than the car and van combined.

“We put the scales on the ground, you’d drive onto them, then we’d weigh … and then I’ll give you a report there in a mobile location.”

For more information, visit: vanweightownsville.com.au

Originally published as Vanweigh Townsville targets gap in market for weighing vehicles and trailers