Max weight of a fiat Ducato (1 Viewer)

[Grownupgapyear]

Hello, my partner and I are having trouble working out from our logbook what the max weight is on our motorhome and we want to know we're driving safe! We have a fiat Ducato compass drifter, 2.8idTD, medium length wheel base, 1999 - to be honest with you we're not sure the logbook that came with the van is even the right logbook for the van! Thanks in advance for any help you can give us!

 

[pappajohn]

To check the log book ...open the bonnet and look for the small metal plate near the bonnet catch with weights on it.
At the top is a long series of numbers and letters.
That is the vin number and should tally with the numbers and letters in the log book.
Also on the plate are a series of weights, look for the one saying GVW or MAM....probably 3500kg or 3850kg but could be some other number.
(Ignore the one saying 5500kg.)
That is the maximum weight of the loaded van.

Best thing is type ALL the weight numbers here and we can work it out accurately.

 

[tonka]

1999 I dont think they put the weight down then and it does not show on a V5. That was a later addition..
Lift bonnet on look near doors and you should find a weight plate, Should be the one that is from the vehicle converters. ie If it's an Autotrail, look for their plate...

You need take it to a weighbridge to see what it actually weighs as it is now..

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[Phillybarbour]

The VIN plate your looking for has the VIN number on as stated above, plus four weights

1. Max Weight typically 3500
2. Max train weight (ie when towing) typically 5500
3. Max front axle weight typically 1850
4. Max rear axle weight typically 2000

Hope that helps you find it, ignore V5 completely.

 

[pappajohn]

1999 I dont think they put the weight down then and it does not show on a V5.

Maybe not on the V5 but definitely on the vin plate.
The converters plate could be anywhere.

 

[tonka]

Maybe not on the V5 but definitely on the vin plate.
The converters plate could be anywhere.

Yes thats what i meant. Will certainly be a plate...

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[pappajohn]

Hope that helps you find it, ignore V5 completely.

Except to confirm the vehicle and log book tally....the op thinks possibly not.

 

[vwalan]

that shows what to look for , should be a plate somewhere .

 

[Grownupgapyear]

Thank you so much for the quick replies! If I'm understanding it right it looks like our max weight is 3500kg, which is what we were hoping for so it takes a real load off our minds

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[pappajohn]

Yes...3500kg MAX weight.

Also, you cannot exceed either axle weight.
1 is the front axle
2 is the rear axle
the two added together exceed the max weight but its most important is not to exceed 3500kg.

The number beginning ZFA is your VIN number which must tally with the log book number.
The plate does look genuine having one pop rivet and one blind rivet.

 

[mitzimad]

thats the fiat plate there maybe another put on by the convertor

 

[Allanm]

Thank you so much for the quick replies! If I'm understanding it right it looks like our max weight is 3500kg, which is what we were hoping for so it takes a real load off our minds

You could still do with a trip to a weighbridge. You know the maximum vehicle weight, but do you know how much the vehicle actually weighs before you start loading it?
It's best to have an idea of your vans actual payload so you have a good idea what you can legally carry.

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[Grownupgapyear]

we've taken it to a weigh bridge it fully loaded up, with us, fuel, water and gas and we're at 3300 - we're now considering going back to the weigh bridge to try weighing the front and back axles

 

[Geoff and Fiona]

Very helpful for us as well

However, although the AL-CO label on our Burstner Ducato shows a weight 0f 3500 Kg my V5 document shows 3700 Kg

I would prefer to be able to load the Van up to 3700 Kg is it possible to have the AL-CO label or additional label fitted
to show 3700 Kg ?

 

[SandraL]

Very helpful for us as well

However, although the AL-CO label on our Burstner Ducato shows a weight 0f 3500 Kg my V5 document shows 3700 Kg

I would prefer to be able to load the Van up to 3700 Kg is it possible to have the AL-CO label or additional label fitted
to show 3700 Kg ?

We have 4 plates.
First is from fiat
Second from alko
Third from hymer
Fourth from an upgrade
The latest plate is the one in force.
If an upgrade, is not from known manufacturer it would be wise to have documentation to back it up.
V5 should reflect the newest plate.

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[Geoff and Fiona]

Thank you, I have an invoice for air suspension fitted by a previous owner.
I will contact the installers and see if they can help

 

[SandraL]

Can you find the burstner plate?
If an upgrade as been done after it left burstner factory you will need an approved company to do the paperwork as dvla will only deal with approved companies. It is highly likely that the installer will not be an approved company.
SV tech are perhaps best known of the dvla approved companies but there are others such as Mr ruffles? There are threads on here regarding this.
But if your v5 shows 3700kg really all you need is a plate on the van with 3700kg. If it is from burstner job done.

 

[Geoff and Fiona]

Hi

The air system was supplied and fitted by a company called Gliderite

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[pappajohn]

Very helpful for us as well

However, although the AL-CO label on our Burstner Ducato shows a weight 0f 3500 Kg my V5 document shows 3700 Kg

I would prefer to be able to load the Van up to 3700 Kg is it possible to have the AL-CO label or additional label fitted
to show 3700 Kg ?

the weight on the V5 would indicate Private light goods vehicle and road tax will be £165pa.
you also need a C1 category on your driving licence.

but.....it would appear Alco downplated the van and DVLA were either misinformed or were never told of the downplate by the registering dealer.

 

[Minxy]

Thank you, I have an invoice for air suspension fitted by a previous owner.
I will contact the installers and see if they can help

Info on Mr Ruffles ... full contact details are on the below thread - see my post #14.

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum...ating-our-rapido-a-class.130317/#post-1855328

 

[Geoff and Fiona]

Thank you everyone. Now in the process of "up plating "

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[treetops1]

Subject to having a C1 on you licence which if memory serves me well you should be able to drive vehicle up to 7.5 tonn, you should then be able to upgrade to total 3850 .Your road tax should then be reduced also. If you do not have a C1 you are as well sticking to 3500 .

 

[VXman]

Once you know the weight of the rear load you are adding (e.g. the weight of the bike rack plus a scooter) you can then use the below calculations to work out the effect of this on your front and rear axle loading:

New front axle load (new F) = F – [L x (O ÷ W)]

New rear axle load (new R) = R + L + (F – new F)

The diagram below gives some example measurements........

More info in the link below

How to calculate your motorhome's safe weight limits

Tips on how to calculate the effect of adding weight to your motorhome on the front and rear axle loading.

www.caravanguard.co.uk

 

[Minxy]

2017 thread ...

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[VXman]

2017 thread ...

Whoops....I was replying to a new thread on this. Must have clicked in related threads below