What's the chance of being pulled over for being overweight in France? (1 Viewer)

Southdowners

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As title really....

We're off to weigh ourselves this morning but were just wondering how hot the authorities are on being a bit overweight? If caught out what are the consequences?

Thanks
 

Zepp

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Only met one person who got a fine ( not sure how much ) they ended up replacing motorhome due to poor payload . Sorry can't help more but Im guessing its just pot luck if you get stopped.

Paul

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Jim

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Why risk it? Every now and again we have to remind ourselves that it's supposed to be 'camping' and clear a load of stuff out :) That was especially so in our little Hymer. Now we have a bit more payload to play with but if we are going to be over then we use a small trailer.
 
Jun 22, 2012
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Hi Oriel

I my experience it’s very unlikely, I’ve been up and down France over the last ten years east west and down the centre, it appears that unless you get stopped for speeding you are very unlikely to be stopped at all.

This of course is only my experience and I’m sure some my tell you different, so in my humble opinion unless you’re back end is dragging on the road and you are following the French highway rules I would not worry if you are a little over weight.

There are things you can do to balance the weight depending on the type of MH you have, like not carrying to much fresh water and always keep both grey waste and the potty as low as possible, planning can play a big part in this so if you are going to an aire or a campsite there is no point in carrying lots of fresh water.

This will also help with fuel your consumption.

Regards
Ray

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Jun 22, 2012
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Jim is correct if you have items you have not used in you're last two trips get rid i'm sure you'll find something.
 

Judge Mental

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would be more concerned with the safety and insurance issue to be honest:censored:. Handling/braking distances compromised for a start. Get involved in a serous incident and insurance company + police will be alerted to examine everything, insurance can use it as an excuse to not pay out. That said there are past threads where the levels of fines where laid out. personally rather stay within the law as don't need the hassle!

when I was younger and naive I overloaded a camper and it was horrible to drive and bloomin dangerous..Soon learnt by joining forums. Anything you haven't used in over 12 months, leave behind...Shop as you go, bring far less clothes shoes etc...Its easy unless you have a badly designed van.

remember its the axles and the total weight you have to watch, especially if on a Fiat light chassis with 2000 kg rear axle. standard Ford and Fiat maxi have a lot more room to play with
 
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Welsh girl

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But if you have bought 100 litres in the last Aire its not going to be used up when you go to the next Aire.
Where you would have to buy another 100 litres.
We don't dump the fresh water, we'd just carry it until its used. We make sure elsan and waste tank is empty though.

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Aug 30, 2012
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Personally I think you have more chance of bei g weighd in UK than France
My big surprise was when we cleared out for our 3 month Croatia run and carefully stocked up again we where 100kg lighter then a week on she'll island
 
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Southdowners

Southdowners

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Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

We've just got back from the weighbridge and were 4250kg, so we have 250kg to spare... phew!!

We won't have the whole 250kg though as we only had 1/2 a tank of fuel... off now to google weights of various liquids. :)
 

Judge Mental

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Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

We've just got back from the weighbridge and were 4250kg, so we have 250kg to spare... phew!!

We won't have the whole 250kg though as we only had 1/2 a tank of fuel... off now to google weights of various liquids. :)

Good news......how where the individual axle weights?
 

DBK

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Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

We've just got back from the weighbridge and were 4250kg, so we have 250kg to spare... phew!!

We won't have the whole 250kg though as we only had 1/2 a tank of fuel... off now to google weights of various liquids. :)
Just assume everything is 1kg per litre. Fuel is a bit less but this gives you a safety factor.

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Judge Mental

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The axle weights were 1780 and 2470 - so we'll shift things around a bit.

Indeed.......as you have found out its easy to reach the individual axle weight before you reach the max payload. its the axles that govern the whole thing really....
 
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Southdowners

Southdowners

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Indeed.......as you have found out its easy to reach the individual axle weight before you reach the max payload. its the axles that govern the whole thing really....

Yes, we're pretty pleased that we've been able to get everything we want onboard without overstepping the weight limit. Now we know what the payload looks like it should be easy to stay within the limit.

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Scout

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Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

We've just got back from the weighbridge and were 4250kg, so we have 250kg to spare... phew!!

We won't have the whole 250kg though as we only had 1/2 a tank of fuel... off now to google weights of various liquids. :)


just stop when you get to Wine.....
 
Aug 14, 2013
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Hi Oriel

I my experience it’s very unlikely, I’ve been up and down France over the last ten years east west and down the centre, it appears that unless you get stopped for speeding you are very unlikely to be stopped at all.

Ray

I live in France and use the camping car extensively, but have never seen any weighing being carried out on camping cars. However, at Dusseldorf Caravan Salon last week the police were at the water dump / refill station with the wheel scales, pulling the occasional vehicle to the side. The police were a bit devious as they weren't visible until a commitment had been made to pull in to the service area.

J
 

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