Payload for full timers (1 Viewer)

[Kelly Wanders]

Hello folks

I'm looking at buying an autotrail tracker fb 2015 model and pretty much full time in it. I have just discovered that the maximum load is 3500kg. It's just me living in it, but reading about this models limited payload has got me wondering... is it enough? How the hell do I work out how much I need? Super grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[mitzimad]

you need to find out the weight of the van and deduct that from the 3.5tonnes to see what the payload is
it maybe possible to upgrade the gross on your vehicle but this is only possible if you have a licence for over 3.5 tonnes or you take the test

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Hello folks

I'm looking at buying an autotrail tracker fb 2015 model and pretty much full time in it. I have just discovered that the maximum load is 3500kg. It's just me living in it, but reading about this models limited payload has got me wondering... is it enough? How the hell do I work out how much I need? Super grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks

Only 220kg payload according to this :

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/m...cker-fb-super-lo-line-motorhome-review/899449

Not fit for purpose if these figures are correct i.m.o.

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[rb62]

The only way to find out the exact weight of the van is to get it taken to a weighbridge,front,rear and total weight and go from there.The brochure weight will be the base weight of the van and not include added extras,different layouts or bigger engines!

 

[Mousy]

I think the short answer will be that the van has insufficient payload. Also think very careful about storage space, if you are almost full timing you will presumably be carrying a lot of stuff.. winter clothing, basic tool kit, summer stuff etc.

 

[Minxy]

Unfortunately it's just not workable at 3500kg ... it has a MIRO of 3275kg which only allows for:

• 75kg allowance for the driver (just under 12 stone)
• the diesel tank full (assuming 60 litres)
• a 13kg LPG cylinder full (assuming standard Calor)
• empty freshwater tank (135L capacity)
• empty wastewater tank (85L)

with an otherwise empty vehicle leaving just 225kg of payload (assuming the MIRO figure quoted is correct!) so not a lot ... if you have a full water tank, which I assume you would have as you'd be living in it, that takes 135kg straight off this figure which leaves you with just 90kg for everything else ... an extra gas cylinder, all your food, chattels, clothes, other kit etc ... totally ridiculous and god forbid you wanted to take another human being with you or a big dog!

Yes you can uprate it, assuming it's not already had this done, but it's not going to give you a massive amount more payload ... for someone who just uses it for holidays (2 weeks etc at a time) it may work but not IMV for someone who will be living in it virtually full-time and need everything with them to be able to do so.

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[Kelly Wanders]

Aghaghagha! Anyone any ideas what models I should be looking at. The fixed bed was essential.

 

[Minxy]

You'll find similar layouts on many MHs by various manufacturers, as a general rule those made abroad tend to have a better payload.

It might help to steer you towards particular models if you can tell us what your must haves are and what things you don't want under any circumstances too!

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

I don't understand the manufacturers, we had a 2006 AT Tracker with solid wood fittings and over 700kg payload. How can they go from that to circa 220kg payload, with lighter "wood" fittings and call that progress?? It's just not viable. Are they preying on the gullible who don't know about or verify the payload?

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[Minxy]

I don't understand the manufacturers, we had a 2006 AT Tracker with solid wood fittings and over 700kg payload. How can they go from that to circa 220kg payload, with lighter "wood" fittings and call that progress?? It's just not viable. Are they preying on the gullible who don't know about or verify the payload?

One reason is that they've got 'fatter', now 2.35m I think and that extra width adds weight, plus they tend to put in lots and lots more kit than they used to ...

 

[Kelly Wanders]

Hey thanks... in no particular order

Space of 4 birth but 2 belts fine
Fixed bed
Full fridge and oven
Shower cubicle - not over toilet
Decent storage, outside locker / garage
Solar power
Had opted for winter pack, heated water tanks
Reversing cameras and sat nav
TV a nice to have
Looking to wild camp as much a s possible, so anything that helps there.
Didn't want a huge van, no doubt be driving small lanes
Mainly want it for travelling uk
I'm a wildlife photographer and writer, so ability to explore
Got a 40-45k budget

 

[nicholsong]

KW

You still have not told us, unless I missed it, whether you have a C1 (>3.5t) licence.

If you have and with that budget there should be no problem finding a MH with plenty of payload.

If you have not got C1 licence then to get te spec you have listed above and to be able to travel with full water, for wildcamping, you will have to be vvery careful chosing a MH to suit.

Even if only you travelling I would suggest you look for 5-600kg payload.

We mostly wildcamp and our max weight is 3850kg, so a payload of about 650kg but we are not full-timing. With full water and diesel we are usually about 100kg below max. wt.

Geoff

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[Kingham]

Geoff, found this from Kelly in chat.....

Nope. I got my licence before the 3.5 than came in

 

[Gromett]

If your budget will stand it, then the Eura Mobils have excellent payloads. I had a tag axle Eura to start with and it had over 1,000KG of payload (at the weighbridge) I can't remember exactly how much more but I know it was at least 1,000KG. It was an excellent van.

The only way I found to get a good enough payload in a 3,500Kg van was to do a selfbuild PVC.

You really do need a decent payload if you fulltime, unless you have storage space somewhere and swap stuff out as and when you need it. The other option is a trailer.

 

[maz]

Hey thanks... in no particular order

Space of 4 birth but 2 belts fine
Fixed bed
Full fridge and oven
Shower cubicle - not over toilet
Decent storage, outside locker / garage
Solar power
Had opted for winter pack, heated water tanks
Reversing cameras and sat nav
TV a nice to have
Looking to wild camp as much a s possible, so anything that helps there.
Didn't want a huge van, no doubt be driving small lanes
Mainly want it for travelling uk
I'm a wildlife photographer and writer, so ability to explore
Got a 40-45k budget

For full timing you can never have too much payload. I've been full timing for almost 6 years now. Current van is a Hobby 750 with a payload of 1.3 tonnes.

If you're looking to do a lot of wild camping, you'll need to be able to carry a full load of water as well as all your own personal stuff. If wilding in the U.K. I'd suggest you look into a Gaslow or similar system. In the colder months you'll get through a lot of gas if you're off hook-up. I'd also suggest a properly winterised van (generally German or French) rather than a heated tank pack which will eat into your battery capacity.

Good luck with your adventure!

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[Vanman]

Hey thanks... in no particular order

Space of 4 birth but 2 belts fine
Fixed bed
Full fridge and oven
Shower cubicle - not over toilet
Decent storage, outside locker / garage
Solar power
Had opted for winter pack, heated water tanks
Reversing cameras and sat nav
TV a nice to have
Looking to wild camp as much a s possible, so anything that helps there.
Didn't want a huge van, no doubt be driving small lanes
Mainly want it for travelling uk
I'm a wildlife photographer and writer, so ability to explore
Got a 40-45k budget

Hi @Kelly Wanders - some of the things on your list can be added retrospectively, so here are a couple of 'rough and ready' thoughts of MH's that may be worth a peek ...

Burstner it700
Chausson 628eb
Hymer 598
Pilote G700c Essentiel
Rapido 650ff

They all have (I think) Island beds, separate showers, can sleep x4 and have over 500kg payload in their 3500kg trim (so could probably be upgraded).

 

[tonka]

I don't understand the manufacturers, we had a 2006 AT Tracker with solid wood fittings and over 700kg payload. How can they go from that to circa 220kg payload, with lighter "wood" fittings and call that progress?? It's just not viable. Are they preying on the gullible who don't know about or verify the payload?

Because they now use the fiat Medium chassis to get under the 3500kg limit for new drivers..
Yours may well be the maxi chassis like they use on my Apache and frontier range. Plus I am assuming yours is not 3500kg. Would be impressed if it was..

 

[Alistair33]

Hymer exsis I was the lightest we could find with Miro of 2890 kg

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[RowleyBirkinQC]

Because they now use the fiat Medium chassis to get under the 3500kg limit for new drivers..
Yours may well be the maxi chassis like they use on my Apache and frontier range. Plus I am assuming yours is not 3500kg. Would be impressed if it was..

Our old 2006 AT Tracker was only 3400kg, payload listed as 740kg in the brochure...

 

[Vanman]

It doesn't seem to have 4 berths and a fixed bed though ...

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

I'll reiterate what I posted on another thread, just because you have a big payload doesn't mean that you can use it all if individual axle loads are exceeded.

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[RowleyBirkinQC]

It doesn't seem to have 4 berths and a fixed bed though ...

Indeed it doesn't, just meant as an example because if you compare that to the current version of the same EKS model, the payload is probably tiny by comparison (circa 300kg?). Admittedly, the vehicle dimensions will have increased, but you still need reasonable payload otherwise what's the point?

 

[Minxy]

View attachment 149807
Our old 2006 AT Tracker was only 3400kg, payload listed as 740kg in the brochure...

Not sure what model you had but this is an example of the weights:

As you say the later Trackers are longer and therefore heavier so the payload reduces as a consequences if the MAM isn't changed (or only slightly).

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

That is the very model which we used to have, still think it's Cindy's favourite van out of those we've had.

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[Puddleduck]

If you have not got C1 licence then

......

invest some of the budget on training and taking the C or C1 test. It also means possible job opportunities if necessary.

 

[Badknee]

Have you got sorted yet?
I'm with @maz on the Hobby, put ours on the weighbridge empty and it was 3600kgs with a max of 4650 then had it uprated (paper exercise) to 5250kgs. Going to weigh it again in full time mode to see what it weighs now as I have solar in mind and want to know actual running weight.

 

[Badknee]

Here's an update on the weigh in last week in full timer trim, fuel full, water full, gas tank full.

Full weigh 4560kgs Max 5250kgs
Front axle 1700kgs Max 1850kgs
Rear axles 2840kgs Max 3500kgs

So happy bunny

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[ianandkath]

you could buy a rv, some can be driven on the car licence(c1)
more then enough room and payload.