Loading a coach for a five-day tour
You are loading a 49-seat coach for a 5-day tour. 47 passengers, 52 suitcases, 9 bikes on a rear-mounted rack, and a roof box with 60 kg. The plate shows GVW 18,000 kg, front axle 7,100 kg, rear axle 11,500 kg. At the weighbridge before loading, front axle 6,300 kg, rear axle 9,900 kg, total 16,200 kg. Passengers average 80 kg including hand luggage. The boot is full and two heavy cases are placed in the rear aisle because the boot lid will not close. The driver's mate says the rack is rated 60 kg.
1. Estimate whether the vehicle is within its weight limits and identify the main problems.
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Estimate the added load: 47 × 80 kg = 3,760 kg; 52 bags × 15 kg = 780 kg; 9 bikes × 20 kg plus a 30 kg rack = 210 kg; roof box 60 kg. Total added ≈ 4,810 kg. 16,200 + 4,810 = 21,010 kg, about 3,010 kg over the 18,000 kg GVW. The axles are also likely over: adding roughly half the passengers to the front gives about 8,180 kg against 7,100 kg, and the rear gains passengers, boot bags and the rack, giving about 12,770 kg against 11,500 kg. Even with lighter bags the vehicle is overloaded. The rack's 60 kg limit is also exceeded by the bikes.
2. How should the load be reduced and secured before departure?
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Reduce the load before moving: remove the roof box, reduce or redistribute the bikes, send surplus luggage by other means, or use a larger coach. Put luggage in the boot and designated lockers, not the aisle. Secure the rack and check its limit; if it is rated 60 kg, nine bikes are not acceptable. Distribute passengers to keep within axle limits and re-weigh if possible. The roof box also raises the centre of gravity, so avoid it on a coach already near its limit.
3. What should you do about the cases in the aisle and the passengers?
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The two cases in the rear aisle obstruct the emergency exit and create a trip hazard; they must be moved to a proper luggage space or left behind. Do not close the boot on an unsafe load or rely on the aisle as storage. Before departure, brief passengers that the aisle must stay clear, check all seat belts and exits, and confirm the final passenger count. If the correct load cannot be carried legally, the tour must not leave until the load is reduced.