Overloaded? (1 Viewer)

ojibway

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We were on the Cite Europe car park the other night and saw this UK reg motorhome. Does it look overloaded?:whatthe:
If they are heading south they will likely be pulled over - I would if I were a cop!
In the UK I doubt if they'd notice!:RollEyes:
Mike and Annie
 

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pappajohn

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broken spring or alko axle torsion bar.

possibly even full air suspension and deflated.

but i suspect the alko axle.

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old-mo

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Possibly the same as we have...

VB Full Air Suspension... When we are on site we can push a button on the remote (camping/Parking) I think it says.... and the whole rig drops to it`s lowest level and just levels/lift`s up as to be 100% level...

Brilliant system..... :thumb: hate it to go wrong, because as far as I can make out all the original suspension was removed to put the VB unit`s & compressor on... :Sad:
 

icantremember

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broken spring or alko axle torsion bar.

possibly even full air suspension and deflated.

but i suspect the alko axle.

It's a Autosleeper Suffolk which I believe is on a Merc chassis, not Alko.

In my experience of Autosleepers they are generally quite heavy and have a small load capacity.
 

pappajohn

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It's a Autosleeper Suffolk which I believe is on a Merc chassis, not Alko.

In my experience of Autosleepers they are generally quite heavy and have a small load capacity.

i stand corrected.....

broken spring it is then.

it would take a lot more than a couple of crates of beer to get the suspension that low no matter what suspension type.

i would think at least a ton in the rear end to get anywhere near that.....its bottomed out for sure.

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Minxy

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As it was at Cite Europe I suspect they have done their 'booze' shopping and stuffed it to the gunnels so it will be overloaded excessively. I wouldn't like to be them trying to get on/off the chunnel or especially ferry and I suspect they will get pulled when back in the UK, that's if they even manage to make it out of the station/port as they may well get stopped there as the suspension is so obviously flat and therefore dangerous.:Doh:
 

dippingatoe

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Not so. We've seen VOSA check teams pulling caravans.

Out of interest how regularly are motorhomes pulled over at those check points? And how long are you kept there?
 

hilldweller

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Out of interest how regularly are motorhomes pulled over at those check points? And how long are you kept there?

Sorry no idea.

We saw them on a mway service area, they'd commandeered an area and wer giving vans a good going over.

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dave newell

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Could be overloaded, could be a broken spring, could be it has full VB self levelling air suspension in park mode. Without more data it is impossible to judge from one poor quality photo.

D.
 
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Out of interest how regularly are motorhomes pulled over at those check points? And how long are you kept there?

If you are overloaded you will be there until you have off loaded enough gear to legalise it. BUSBY:roflmto:
 
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They pull over M/Hs on the A30 just before the Kingsley Village turn off going east quite regularly.

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rolandrat

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Those Auto Sleeper models always look to be overloaded even when they are empty. Can there be a problem changing rear wheels when punctured?
 

dippingatoe

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If you are overloaded you will be there until you have off loaded enough gear to legalise it. BUSBY:roflmto:

So how would that work. Would you just have to jettison your "stuff" or is there somewhere to leave it and get someone to collect it for you somehow.

And if you were in a motorhome could you just camp there while you waited for someone to come and cart off the excess?
 

GJH

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So how would that work. [HI]Would you just have to jettison your "stuff" or is there somewhere to leave it and get someone to collect it for you somehow.[/HI]

And if you were in a motorhome could you just camp there while you waited for someone to come and cart off the excess?

Much simpler. You would just post on a motorhome forum about jobsworths not allowing you to carry on just because you were breaking the law. A self-righteous outcry would ensue, the :dm: would rant about you being treated differently if you were a traveller and you would get away with it :ROFLMAO::reel:

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hilldweller

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Would you just have to jettison your "stuff" or.....

It's your problem. You are sat there smarting from a fine and can't move until you do something.

On a UK motorway the first thing would be to pay your parking charge if you can't come up with a solution in under 2 hours.

Just like any other traffic offence, best avoided.
 
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I wouldn't want to change the wheel on this one, seen at ALDIs Montilevet.
 

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DuxDeluxe

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Those Auto Sleeper models always look to be overloaded even when they are empty. Can there be a problem changing rear wheels when punctured?

Mine sits slightly higher at the rear according to the spirit level, never tried changing the wheel but plenty of suspension travel on mine to bring the wheel out of the wheel arch. RAC's job to change it and at least A/S do actually supply spare wheels............:winky:

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DuxDeluxe

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So how would that work. Would you just have to jettison your "stuff" or is there somewhere to leave it and get someone to collect it for you somehow.

And if you were in a motorhome could you just camp there while you waited for someone to come and cart off the excess?

And if you leave it, expect a fine for littering! As Brian says, best avoided
 
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ojibway

ojibway

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Could be overloaded, could be a broken spring, could be it has full VB self levelling air suspension in park mode. Without more data it is impossible to judge from one poor quality photo.

D.

Sorry about the photo, Dave!:Sad:
Just thought I'd start this thread to point out that some people take risks.

Maybe the suspension is shot in which case it's not safe to drive.
Maybe it is overloaded in which case it's not safe to drive.
Maybe it has air suspension but I would not have thought it'd go that low on a Sprinter.

Last year I saw an old German motorhome so back heavy it looked like it was ready to lift the front wheels off the ground:Eeek:
Anyone taking risks is putting others in danger too!
Mike:Cool:
 

Chris

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Sorry about the photo, Dave!:Sad:
Just thought I'd start this thread to point out that some people take risks.

Maybe the suspension is shot in which case it's not safe to drive.
Maybe it is overloaded in which case it's not safe to drive.
Maybe it has air suspension but I would not have thought it'd go that low on a Sprinter.

Last year I saw an old German motorhome so back heavy it looked like it was ready to lift the front wheels off the ground:Eeek:
Anyone taking risks is putting others in danger too!
Mike:Cool:


I saw a British family in Normandy this year in a conversion.

Two adults and two children were sat in the rear lounge as it travelled playing cards.

I couldn't see any belts:Doh:

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davejen

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So how would that work. Would you just have to jettison your "stuff" or is there somewhere to leave it and get someone to collect it for you somehow.

And if you were in a motorhome could you just camp there while you waited for someone to come and cart off the excess?

Just stay there and drink the lot!, then wait another couple of days and drive home after an " extended" holiday. Simples.
Cheers, Dave:thumb:
 

TheBig1

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So how would that work. Would you just have to jettison your "stuff" or is there somewhere to leave it and get someone to collect it for you somehow.

And if you were in a motorhome could you just camp there while you waited for someone to come and cart off the excess?
you will have broken the law, so its your problem to sort not VOSA/DVLA/Police

there is often a check point on A35 near ringwood and on the M27 Rownhams services. a check takes over an hour and much longer if overloaded or faults found. they do a roadside MOT type test for roadworthiness and weigh each axle

if youre overloaded, then you will HAVE to unload excess as there will be a prohibition notice. depending where its tested there may be no parking facilities. in this case you would have to arrange somebody come collect your excess load before you can leave. if the vehicle is faulty it would need to be removed on a suitable low loader at your expense,

failure to comply would see the vehicle impounded and removed to a compound with limited access. you would have to pay towing storage etc. there was a case last year of a "colourful" couple who had their motorhome seized and towed away. they camped in a tent next to the compound but if i recall correct the van was eventually sent of to be scrapped as they didnt/couldnt pay.

at the end of the day YOU the driver have an obligation to ensure you remain within the law and if not face the consequences. you need to know the pitfalls of owning and using a motorhome before you travel. these forums are the perfect place to find your information and what you need to do

HAVE YOU WEIGHED YOUR MOTORHOME ON A WEIGHBRIDGE LOADED AS IF GOING ON HOLIDAY, INCLUDING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS?

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Jun 17, 2012
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you will have broken the law, so its your problem to sort not VOSA/DVLA/Police

there is often a check point on A35 near ringwood and on the M27 Rownhams services. a check takes over an hour and much longer if overloaded or faults found. they do a roadside MOT type test for roadworthiness and weigh each axle

if youre overloaded, then you will HAVE to unload excess as there will be a prohibition notice. depending where its tested there may be no parking facilities. in this case you would have to arrange somebody come collect your excess load before you can leave. if the vehicle is faulty it would need to be removed on a suitable low loader at your expense,

failure to comply would see the vehicle impounded and removed to a compound with limited access. you would have to pay towing storage etc. there was a case last year of a "colourful" couple who had their motorhome seized and towed away. they camped in a tent next to the compound but if i recall correct the van was eventually sent of to be scrapped as they didnt/couldnt pay.

at the end of the day YOU the driver have an obligation to ensure you remain within the law and if not face the consequences. you need to know the pitfalls of owning and using a motorhome before you travel. these forums are the perfect place to find your information and what you need to do

[HI]HAVE YOU WEIGHED YOUR MOTORHOME ON A WEIGHBRIDGE LOADED AS IF GOING ON HOLIDAY[/HI], INCLUDING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS?


YES I HAVE and it is a surprise. Had I had a 4 berth and not a 2 then just the extra occupants would have put me over. Weighed with me and the dog. Mine is plated at 3850kg and already 2000kg on back axle, but see below.

Extract from a thread of mine in July.

Rear was loaded with 2 full gas bottles, full toilet flush, 125 litres of water so rear pretty well taken care of.
Still got SHMBO to go on front, approx 63kg so 147 left for some more clothes and food. Most other things already in, tools, TV, etc. but only 1/4 tank of fuel so another 60kg if full, now down to 87kg , thats her trunk of clothes and my 4 T-shirts and shorts, well I know I am greedy but I am away for 4 weeks !
 
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dave newell

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Sorry about the photo, Dave!:Sad:
Just thought I'd start this thread to point out that some people take risks.

Maybe the suspension is shot in which case it's not safe to drive.
Maybe it is overloaded in which case it's not safe to drive.
Maybe it has air suspension but I would not have thought it'd go that low on a Sprinter.

Last year I saw an old German motorhome so back heavy it looked like it was ready to lift the front wheels off the ground:Eeek:
Anyone taking risks is putting others in danger too!
Mike:Cool:

My apologies, I hadn't intended to criticise the abilities of the photographer but you have to admit it isn't great. Its taken in poor light from a difficult angle so while it does look like the wheel is way up in the arch it is entirely possible that if viewed at 90 degrees to the wheel and frm a lower angle it might not look so drastic.

AutoSleepers do tend to fit deep side skirts and wheel arches and some of the latest generation of Sprinters I understand have independent suspension on the rear so its entirely possible that nothing is wrong depending on the setup in question. If it has VB full air suspension it may well drop to minimum ride height as depicted in "park" mode.

I regularly see motorhomes that are near or overloaded so I understand your reasons. I have personally helped more than one motorhomer through legal issues of motorhomes that are too close to their weight limit from the factory, at least one family are members on here.

D.
 
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When we first started in business 25 years ago one of our vans was pulled by The Ministry and found to be overloaded. We had to send another van 80 miles to off load the excess. The driver pleaded guilty and when his fine came through some time later for £100 we did not think it was to bad. Imagine our surprise couple of days later when we (my wife and i were partners in the business) received separate fines for allowing this to happen...£400 each. What a shock. We soon dissolved the partnership and went Limited.BUSBY:ROFLMAO: Was not laughing then.

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