Van Weights Make News at the CV Show Press Preview Day

The build up to the CV Show is well under way and we attended the Press Preview day earlier this week.

It was a very enjoyable day with plenty of transport journalists in attendance. In fact, it was noticeable how many more journalists and exhibitors were there than the last time we attended.

We’ve been exhibiting at the CV Show from day one. It really is the best place to show your wares off to the great and the good in the transport industry. And if you have a new product to launch as we have then the Press Preview Day is the place to be.

One thing that was very apparent was the importance now being given to operating lighter commercial vehicles. Not only were there more journalists there whose publications were dedicated to vans but also the questions that arose were almost all around these lighter vehicles.

One topic came up a number of times; the lack of regulation compared with heavier vehicles. No formally trained transport manager is needed to run a fleet of vans and the vehicles themselves can be driven by just about anyone with a driving licence.

Trying to do with a lighter vehicle was used to be done with a heavier one though brings it problems. Maximising the load is important whatever vehicles you operate but in doing so, many run the risk of overloading. A fact that was very apparent to the journalists we chatted to.

The CV Show Press Preview Day

Overloading affects all the major components of a vehicle. Despite the fact that it is very dangerous it’s also not very efficient. Wearing out the clutch, brakes, steering and suspension in double quick time leads to expensive repairs.

Being caught for overloading could lead to a hefty fine and not just for the company. The driver could be fined and get points on his licence too. And there is evidence to suggest that a significant proportion of drivers are unaware of the issue or the penalties.

There are solutions though, the most common one being the Axtec OnBoard Load Indicator. Fitting the system and automatically alerting the driver to an impending overload means operators can avoid costly vehicle repairs, improve safety and avoid prosecution. And the driver won’t be at risk of getting points on his licence either.

So one of the messages taken away by our journalists this week was that an OnBoard Indicator is pretty much essential if you’re operating a fleet of vans and we’re happy to help spread the word.

So how long can you keep YOUR vans off the road?

Another interesting exercise the other day and an opportunity to spread the axle weighing word once more.

We were invited to address the guys at one of the biggest vehicle leasing companies to explain to them the ins and outs of axle weighing –  how dangerous it can be affecting all the major components on the van, how the authorities deal with it, how the insurance companies might react to overloading.

The most relevant system to those speccing up vehicles of course is the Axtec OnBoard Axle Load Indicator.

As often happens with these sessions though, we learnt a great deal as well as bringing our hosts up to date with the latest in axle weighing.

One topic that came up that has clearly been an issue for them in the past when using onboard load indicators is the calibrations. Every weighing system will need calibrating from time to time but some are simpler than others.

Axtec OnBoard  Axle Load Indicator

The issue that caused such concern was the need to keep vans in the yard loaded up and waiting for a service engineer. That’s vans parked up, not earning their keep and waiting for an engineer to visit. An engineer’s visit that will be invoiced.

And what if all the vans aren’t available? Will the engineer have to come back another day followed by another invoice?

When we explained our customer reset facility to our audience, it was as if all their Christmases had come at once.

Axtec OnBoard has a unique and very simple reset facility. This means no keeping vans in the yard waiting for an expensive engineers visit. They can all be out on the road working.

And the resets can be done any time that’s most convenient. Miss one van today? Well catch up with it tomorrow at no expense.

In most cases the system can be reset without loading the vehicle at all.

So, no loading the vehicle, no keeping them off the road waiting for an engineer and no big bill for doing what is a simple routine job.

Which means that your vans are out on the road doing what you bought them for.