Van Weight Engineering

[dunnah01]

If that's the case they owner is probably totally unaware/doesn't care anyway, it's the owner's responsibility to make sure it's safely loaded, not VWE.

Totally agree and from post #29 VWE seem to ask the right question before completing any up-plating

 

[buzz1]

How much are you looking for ?
Best send an email to VWE requesting a phone conversation. Have all your vans details to hand he should be able to advise there and then .
Mike.

Thank you
yes I need to get it sorted really , probably same as you 4250 would be ok .
Currently away.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Thank you
yes I need to get it sorted really , probably same as you 4250 would be ok .
Currently away.

My van is 4090kg. 1850F & 2240R. Air assist, and heavier duty tyres. Steel rims , so no problems there.
Enjoy your trip.
Mike.

 

[Orion]

I thinking of doing the same, as I’m currently 3850 but would like more .
but I think the fiat alloy I have are classed a light and not heavy? Which would be pretty expensive to change all round , plus air suspension.



View attachment 870487

These are the Fiat 1250kg rated alloys:

Rear air may also be required - it was for ours.

 

[Orion]

VWE's form doesn't ask for any weighbridge certs to see if there is any wiggle room in the back axle so the paper exercise to up-plate the GVW could be misleading.

I believe it’s requested under section (I) ‘Checklist’ of the VWE Enquiry Form?

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[dunnah01]

I believe it’s requested under section (I) ‘Checklist’ of the VWE Enquiry Form?

That just makes me more sceptical. It is only 'advised for uprates' (which could even arguably be mis-read as not required for up-plates). It would be interesting to see how many people have been told they can't up-plate their 7m+ 3500kg Fiat chassis to 3850kg because the weighbridge information shows the rear axle is already close to the limit so any extra payload would need to be carried over the front axle which isn't practicable.

 

[Hooflungdung]

My understanding is that generally the vehicles (Fiat Ducati in my case) have a higher design weight that the 3500kg they are registered at in the UK to achieve B1 licence requirement. So our set up on 15" wheels and Agilis 3 climate tyres will run at 3850kg with no mods. We could have gone up to 4500kg by changing to 16" rims and air suspension or heavy duty springs.

When I went through and weighed all our kit as part of the exercise I reckon that we were probably running at close to 3700kg whenever we had full Diesel and Water tanks - I suspect the majority of larger motorhomes run overweight for at least some of the time if they're plated at 3500kg - I think its almost impossible not to - especially if you've got kids & dogs. - There's only 2 of us!

Another thing the dealers don't tell you when you buy a MH.

The crazy thing is I got a Road Fund Rebate the day after the V5 came back and calculated that I get a payback on VWE's bill of 1.7 years - £325 down to £165 p.a. It's a bit of a no brainer (so long as you've got a C1 licence). I just wish I'd done it 9 years ago when I bought the van. I'd be quids in by now and wouldn't have risked all those fines/points.

Of course there is a downside - 'er indoors has already started accumulating additional cushions/fairy lights/candles and other assorted 'essentials' for the van. Doh!