Motorhome Weight

Our manual for our next MH states a payload of 395kgs which isn't much, but the water tank, water heater, and loo cartridge (if all full) will take up 128Kgs of that. Nothing is going in or on that vehicle without it being weighed first, and I'm quite happy to juggle with empty or partly full water tanks if necessary, but if I take it to a weighbridge and find it seriously different to the stated manufacturer's figures I will not be a happy bunny.

Manufacturer's weights are fictional for gadgets as well as vehicles. Example: Avtex Snipe 2 Satellite receiver ads all say 10.5kgs. Weigh it with the base plate and the electrical gubbins and it's 12.5Kgs. In its plastic carry case for portable use closer to 16Kgs. A small amount maybe, but it all adds up.
 
chaser said:
@Minxy Girl ,or any one else who knows just as matter of interest, without going through numerous threads, how much does it cost to upgrade , as I said earlier , our van is rated at 3400gvw would it be possible or cost effective to up it to 3500 gvw it would be another 100 bottles of wine we could bring back.
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Like Chaser, like to bring back a few bottles for Xmas etc. Our new PVC is weighted at 3.300 kg. Front axle loading is 1,750 kg and rear axle 1,900 kg. Could I get the vehicle upgraded to 3,500 kg ? (n)
Brian
 
I had a horrible shock with the weight of my new ML I 580 when I took it to be weighed it was front axle and then rear axle totalling about 4000kgs. It was the twerp at the weighbridge who told me to just put the front axle on the edge and the rear at the other end. I was getting the weighbridge adding it own weight by see saw affect. I went to another bridge and got axles and total . They were all within 20kg and the total for ready to go with water and fuel was 3520kg and it is a 3860kg model. It made me feel sick at the time seeing a van weight of 4000 for a 3860 model, uprated from 3500 kg. Go and get it redone somewhere else and done properly in the middle with axles on as far as possible for the axle weights. Load it as you would drive it.
 
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magicsurfbus said:
Our manual for our next MH states a payload of 395kgs which isn't much, but the water tank, water heater, and loo cartridge (if all full) will take up 128Kgs of that. Nothing is going in or on that vehicle without it being weighed first, and I'm quite happy to juggle with empty or partly full water tanks if necessary, but if I take it to a weighbridge and find it seriously different to the stated manufacturer's figures I will not be a happy bunny.
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I would class that as unstable, we travel fairly light compared to others and I recon for two people you need 600-700kg of payload. Our current Hymer had a Technical MIRO of 3087kg giving a payload of 413kg we gave up and uprated & we don't even have an awning.
New van we should pick up in the next week or two is on the 4500kg maxi chassis should around 1200-1300kg payload, a sensible amount.:D

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Mickey1 said:
Thanks @Lenny HB , funny you should say that, before we left the dealer he said the certificate of conformity was locked in the office and the person was out, said he would post it on to us.

Mickey.
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Sound iffy, like they didn't want you to see it, any normal dealer would have together with all the other relevant manuals & info etc.
Ask them to scan it and email to you urgently, if they refuse, I smell a rat.
 
I recently went the upgrading route, because the 3500kg limit meant the Mobility scooter put us in a technical overweight situation. The Yardstick for the Fiat/Alko combination is Here:-

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/downloads/al-ko-amc-commercial-brochure-2010.pdf

Page 18 is the starter. AMC33L and AMC35LB. are limited to 3650kg with the axle combination. The AMC35LH is 3750kg. The AMC35L can be taken to 3850kg. To go above that requires a change of Wheels and Tyres.

A Check of the Commission plate on the front cross-member will confirm which combination you have.

I would concur with the fact that technically you have a good case for rejection. However IF it is the layout et; you desire then uprating, even if you pay for it, is the probable best option. The upside of which is a drop from £240-ish down to £165-00 Road Tax. John Ruffle is the "go to" man for the Tech; details. looking at the Invoice, He charged me £142-00.

Edit:- I am a firm believer that the "industry" are building for the market for (UK) B licences. And nothing will alter until the Bureaucrats, get the message that they are SERVANTS. Not the control Freaks they behave like! A far more sensible Limit for the B licence would be 4tonne.
 
When Chausson brought the first model of the Oddesee 92 in( my previous MH) they were plated at 3500 on a Ford Transit chassis . One was sold and found to have a total capacity of 40kgs. They had to take it back as the bloke could not drive it at the higher weight of 3860 that they all had to be put up to the higher weight, Mine got a bit iffy if too much was put into it at that weight. It was a heavy chassis with twin wheels so weighed a load before they put the body on it.
 
Lenny HB said:
I would class that as unstable, we travel fairly light compared to others and I recon for two people you need 600-700kg of payload.
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I enjoy a challenge. If the payload figure is accurate I reckon we'll cope if we don't drive with a full fresh water tank, and maybe go to the shops more often instead of stockpiling.
 
magicsurfbus said:
I enjoy a challenge. If the payload figure is accurate I reckon we'll cope if we don't drive with a full fresh water tank, and maybe go to the shops more often instead of stockpiling.
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We are also in the position needing to be careful what we carry to keep under 3500 kgs , when you have no choice it's needs must to keep travelling.
Up until two years ago we had a beautiful RV with a payload of 940kgs but at 70 things changed .
Now when on extended trips in UK we tow toad and carry excess in the boot but otherwise travel light.

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To bring things back on track for poor @Mickey1

Two things need to be ascertained:
  1. a confirmed weigh of his van, with an official ticket printout
  2. written confirmation from Chausson on what his van 'should' weigh in running order.
Without those two figures, no progress can be made - and everything else is just guesswork & supposition.

I think getting #2 might be difficult because as I posted a few pages back - Chausson themselves are disclaiming their own figures.

From their website today - the disclaimer:
MIRO = Trim level Flash 3080kg , Welcome is 3160kg*

*Chausson's own brochure is terribly vague - the pdf has a disclaimer:
"Weight empty in running order:
Standard vehicle
Temporary document
Homologation to be confirmed"

https://nl.chausson-motorhomes.com/en/modele/728eb-2/
Click on "Technical Characteristics" to download the current .pdf
 
chaser said:
We have had customs men looking in our van for immigrants, tripping over boxes of wine , never batted an eyelid , also had police watching us load up at cite Europe , not a murmur , might change with brexit (sorry) though.
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Good point. If a hard brexit then you'll be non-eu & be able to carry the wine allowance, 4 litres, as a foot passenger.:D2

Alcohol allowance
How much you can bring depends on the type of drink. You can bring in:

  • beer - 16 litres
  • wine (not sparkling) - 4 litres
You can also bring in either:

  • spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - 1 litre
  • fortified wine (eg port, sherry), sparkling wine and alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol - 2 litres
You can split this last allowance, eg you could bring 1 litre of fortified wine and half a litre of spirits (both half of your allowance).

GWAYGWAY said:
I had a horrible shock with the weight of my new ML I 580 when I took it to be weighed it was front axle and then rear axle totalling about 4000kgs. It was the twerp at the weighbridge who told me to just put the front axle on the edge and the rear at the other end. I was getting the weighbridge adding it own weight by see saw affect. I went to another bridge and got axles and total . They were all within 20kg and the total for ready to go with water and fuel was 3520kg and it is a 3860kg model. It made me feel sick at the time seeing a van weight of 4000 for a 3860 model, uprated from 3500 kg. Go and get it redone somewhere else and done properly in the middle with axles on as far as possible for the axle weights. Load it as you would drive it.
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Must have been something wrong with the bridge as you should get a perfect axle weight even if only on 2'. I always do mine here , front axle, whole vehicle , back axle. 1€ each then pop up builders & check using theirs for free. Always spot on.
(y)
 
Larrynwin said:
Now when on extended trips in UK we tow toad and carry excess in the boot but otherwise travel light.
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That too is another option, :)(For the UK, "A" frame warning!!!!:D2:D2) We Toad an elderly Fiat Punto which doubles as "Trailer" for the heavier stuff we need for Rally marshalling. Also keeps the "Crap" out of the M-H. BUT of course due (again) to the stupidity of Bureaucracy:mad::mad: in Europe a Proper Trailer would be required!(n).
 
@Mickey1, I really feel for you. Like us, you have been so excited about getting your new MH and this must be such a kick in the guts. According to Pilote's details, our payload is 680 kg, which is one reason we chose it. The only extras we have had is solar panel, 2nd leisure battery and spare wheel (without carrier). We will definitely be going to a weighbridge fully loaded. Hopefully we will be ok, we won't be carrying anything heavy such as bikes or a barbecue.
 
@Diggerdi Get Bill to put it on the weighbridge next door before you leave
(If it's working) then you will have the opportunity to ask him to upgrade it there and then if necessary (y). or did you pick it up yesterday?

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Maybe the dealers need to be more honest about the weights and actually weigh one example of each model empty when they first get one. The wording below from Marquis on the Benimar details states that the calculated weight is an estimation only and based on LHD models which as we know normally does not include a oven, plus other things.

*IMPORTANT: The calculated weight is an estimation only. The estimation is based on the weight that similar motorhomes have (left hand drive). The calculation of the weight includes; 90% of fuel in the tank, 1 gas bottle, 50 litre fresh water, 1 person to drive (75 kg), 10 kg luggage. **With this vehicle configuration it may be necessary to reduce the payload carried inside the van when towing to ensure the MTPLM and maximum axle loads are not exceeded. Please consult your sales representative for more detailed towing information. The Maximum User Payload includes: a) conventional load (this is the allowance for passengers) b) essential habitation equipment (items of fluids required for safe and proper functioning of habitation equipment) c) optional equipment (items available from the manufacturer over and above the standard specification) d) personal effects (those items not effected by the above) Please take care to ensure that you have allowed for the masses of all the items you intend to carry in the motorhome e.g. Passengers, optional equipment, essential habitation equipment and personal effects, such as clothing, food, pets, sailboats, sports equipment etc. The weight of any additional accessories must be deducted from the payload, given that could mean the reduction of the number of passengers. It should be ensured not to exceed the maximum allowable loads on the shafts and technically permissible weight of the fully loaded vehicle.
 
When buying a motorhome, new or old, the ONLY safe way of establishing the payload is to insist the dealer/seller has the van weighed completely empty of goods, gas, fuel, people, etc., and supplying you with an official weighbridge ticket. You can then choose to carry what you want. If the seller won't do this then don't buy from them. In our case, the van, completely empty and without any extras, weighed 2820 kg.

Only a couple of years ago, a friend of ours, approaching 70 and not wanting to go for medical to retain his C1 licence, bought a new Autotrail Navajo. After paying for it and on collection, the salesman suggested that he should think of uprating the van because the payload was low.

Like poor Mickey, he took it to the weighbridge and found that he too did not have sufficient payload to carry his wife, let alone anything else! In the event, he had to go through the medical process which took a total of 7 months. He has since decided to change his van for one with a bigger payload not wanting to go through the medical process ever again.
 
Box Boy said:
Like Chaser, like to bring back a few bottles for Xmas etc. Our new PVC is weighted at 3.300 kg. Front axle loading is 1,750 kg and rear axle 1,900 kg. Could I get the vehicle upgraded to 3,500 kg ? (n)
Brian
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Yes but you would need to be careful of weight distribution so you dont overload an individual axle.
 
Saw one of these in use a couple of weeks ago when we went to SMC in Newark. I think the owner of the van was having problems with his payload and had contacted the company who had the weighbridge and paid for them to come to the dealers. As far as I could see it weighed both axles as well.

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The Dude said:
Saw one of these in use a couple of weeks ago when we went to SMC in Newark. I think the owner of the van was having problems with his payload and had contacted the company who had the weighbridge and paid for them to come to the dealers. As far as I could see it weighed both axles as well.
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Has anyone seen one of these in action, quite cheap as motorhome accessories go, especially if shared between one or two.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=302200729467&globalID=EBAY-GB
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
In fact , a better one here , same price
 
PeteH said:
That too is another option, :)(For the UK, "A" frame warning!!!!:D2:D2) We Toad an elderly Fiat Punto which doubles as "Trailer" for the heavier stuff we need for Rally marshalling. Also keeps the "Crap" out of the M-H. BUT of course due (again) to the stupidity of Bureaucracy:mad::mad: in Europe a Proper Trailer would be required!(n).
Click to expand...

For our Europe trips where we need leccy bikes on board also for uk when needed I am adapting a small twin bike trailer which can also carry extra bits .
The bike rack and bikes would take us over weight, electric bikes are heavy.
 
I found it to be within 4 kilos on the axles compared to the weighbridge but you do need to be on flat level ground my drive is concrete so an ideal surface.
 
Update, I was about to leave for the weighbridge and received a email from the dealer which makes me feel a little better.
Morning Mick. I have posted the paperwork to you I have also started the paper work process to upgrade the vehicle weight to 3850. Giving you more payload. This also reduces the road tax


Kind regards

Thanks to all, so glad I joined fun.

Mickey.
 

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