MWAA – your mobile weigh operator should be a member
Over the last several years caravans and vehicles have become heavier, but payloads and limits haven’t increased. This has led to the majority of 4x4s and caravanners coming close to weight limits, and a subsequent rise in the popularity of GVM upgrades. And people are now more aware that a 3500kg tow limit doesn’t mean 3500kg towing in real life; something I highlighted back as far back as 2015 and the word has since spread.
People are now wanting to know their weights, and there’s a few options. I’d start with my own towing weights calculator to play around with different options and concepts, but that won’t weigh anything for you. For that you need a weighbridge, and that might be a public one at your local tip, or one of the GoWeigh bridges which are available 24/7 and now have a specialised recreational car/trailer weigh mode plus report.
There are now a large number of mobile weighing specialists offering precise weights and personalised advice. These operators provide a valuable service, but sadly there are some cowboys out there running around with inadequate equipment and who do not provide the correct advice – I have heard a few stories now. As the industry grows, this has become more and more of a problem and so in 2024 the MWAA has been created – the Mobile Weigh Association of Australia.
This new body will be the industry association for mobile weighers and its objectives are as follows:
- Standardisation: Establishing and maintaining standards for mobile weighing practices across Australia to ensure accuracy, reliability, and consistency in measurements.
- Regulatory Compliance: Assisting members in adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards governing mobile weighing operations, promoting legal compliance and integrity.
- Education and Training: Providing educational resources, training programs, and workshops to enhance the skills and knowledge of members involved in mobile weighing activities, thereby improving professionalism and competency within the industry.
- Technology Advancement: Encouraging the development and adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies in mobile weighing, fostering efficiency, accuracy, and safety in operations.
- Advocacy: Representing the interests of members at various levels of government, industry forums, and other relevant platforms, advocating for policies and initiatives that support the mobile weighing sector and its stakeholders.
- Networking and Collaboration: Facilitating networking opportunities, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among members, fostering a supportive community that promotes growth and mutual benefit.
I am very pleased to see the formation of this body and proud to have discussed its rules before formation. I expect it will develop into a trusted authority and then I can simply tell people only to use mobile weigh operators who are members. I am also happy to see this in the rules:
as I have seen some reports which are incorrect, either mathematically, or from a legislation perspective.
I have a list of mobile weigh operators including how to select one.
Weighing a vehicle is surprisingly complex and it is fantastic that the industry is self-regulating. Now if only that example could be followed by maybe the 4×4 recovery industry….
If you want to learn about towing I have a lot of content covering things you probably won’t find anywhere else, so check this playlist and one example below:
