Collect my Motorhome tomorrow!

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Sa Punta

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Hi,
Big day tomorrow when I collect my first Motorhome and have a question re weight.

Although I passed my test many moons ago I now realise that when I renewed my license when I passed 70 I can now only drive up to 3.500KG My Swift is under 3,500 KG with a payload of 550KG

I know this is not an exact science but 550KG seems a lot as there are only two of us although on longer journeys we will be loaded up. Any guidance here please?

Thanks Derek
 
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Be aware that 550kg is a figure stated as the van comes out the factory, if anything has been added like an extra battery, awning, towbar etc all those weights come off that payload amount. BUT I would not trust the figure, so first thing go to a weighbridge to see it's real empty weight. (y)
As a very rough guide a litre of water is 1 kg, so if you have a 100ltr water tank and fill it for a trip, that takes off 100kg..
 
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Hi Derek, exciting times. 550kg is likely to be enough for a couple of people. Though I imagine that figure you have of 550 is theoretical, and you won't know how much payload you have till you get it weighed.

Have a read of this article Average Motorhome Payload Requirement

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:welc:
We have never filled the water tank - water is available everywhere in 5 litre bottles.
We have always been able to add water to the tank from inside. Check that out.

Grey water is just as heavy so keep that low as well.

Don't buy stuff for the garage until you have weighed it.
 
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Welcome and what a great time to have picking up your first van. Hopefully like us your goal is to enjoy motorhoming to the full. So put everything you need into the van. Including fuel, water, gas, food, clothes, chairs, BBQ. Don't leave anything out. Whatever you need. Then weigh the van. Then you will have a clear accurate picture of what you need.

If you want to try wild camping here and/or abroad, you might need more stuff.

Most of all enjoy it!

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You can reapply for your C1 . You need to fill in the D2 and D4 forms. D4 drivers is best.
For your current 3500t licence worse case is you could add a tow bar and pull a trailer should you find you need extra capacity. ( or even a tow car in the uk and top that up with your heavier stuff)
 
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Not on the list in Post #5 is a Spare Wheel if not Standard Fit add another 35Kg I think that is the weight ?
 
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...and make sure you visit a weighbridge that will give you separate axle weights, not just an overall weight. Whilst keeping below the overall weight of 3,500kg is obviously vital, the problems usually start at the back where the garage is, so the weight over the rear axle is where the issues are most likely to be. Once you have your weights, and assuming they are under the overall and individual axle weights (these will be displayed on a plate on the MH) then weigh anything new you buy for the MH to ensure you don't creep back over. As someone once said, "Over time, nothing gets taken out of a motorhome but more just get added ". Once you've done that, sit back and enjoy the experience!

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Sa Punta said:
Hi,
Big day tomorrow when I collect my first Motorhome and have a question re weight.

Although I passed my test many moons ago I now realise that when I renewed my license when I passed 70 I can now only drive up to 3.500KG My Swift is under 3,500 KG with a payload of 550KG

I know this is not an exact science but 550KG seems a lot as there are only two of us although on longer journeys we will be loaded up. Any guidance here please?

Thanks Derek
Click to expand...
Just checking what you mean by "My Swift is under 3,500 KG with a payload of 550KG"?
Is that the unladen weight or the max weight as on the v5 and chassis plate?
You need to make sure the v5 figure is less than 3500kg for license and insurance purposes, then make sure the actual weight in use is then under 3500kg by getting on a weighbridge, fully loaded with fuel etc as you would be when in use.
 
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Might be a tad late for you but film the handover, you wont be able to remember everything.

Good luck with your new van

👍
 
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Enjoy your new Motorhome, hope everything has gone well with the handover. Don’t believe a word the salesman tells you about weight, licenses and payload. They will tell you anything to secure a sale. As others have said get it weighed fully loaded and take it from there. Happy motorhoming 🥳

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As others have said, visit a weigh bridge. When I bought my current van, I weighed it on the way home and calculated the bare weight by subtracting fuel & passenger which gave me a base weight of 2900Kg. Loaded for travel with full fuel, water, gas, 2 e-bikes and a spare tyre(no wheel) and re-weighed, I'm just under 3500Kg with 20Kg to spare. Conduct the same exercise and it will give you peace of mind on your weight.
 
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tonka said:
Be aware that 550kg is a figure stated as the van comes out the factory, if anything has been added like an extra battery, awning, towbar etc all those weights come off that payload amount. BUT I would not trust the figure, so first thing go to a weighbridge to see it's real empty weight. (y)
As a very rough guide a litre of water is 1 kg, so if you have a 100ltr water tank and fill it for a trip, that takes off 100kg..
Click to expand...
A litre of water is exactly 1Kg
 
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:welco:
550kg is not much our van has 550kg we are up rating it to 4000kg to give us a useable payload.

There is a 5% tolerance on the weight and they are never under so you may have lost 150kg before you start.

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Jerrywh said:
A litre of water is exactly 1Kg
Click to expand...
and 1,000 liters of fresh water is exactly one tonne!
and if 1,000 liters of fresh water was put into a box, it would be exactly one cubic meter (1m x 1m x 1m)

Then to work out the very rough weight of stuff you ask the question "does it float ?"
If it floats, then it weighs less than 1 tonne per cubic meter
If it sinks, then it weighs more than 1 tonne per cubic meter
(Or for small things, more or less than a bottle of water or pint of beer)
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Sa Punta said:
Hi,
Big day tomorrow when I collect my first Motorhome and have a question re weight.

Although I passed my test many moons ago I now realise that when I renewed my license when I passed 70 I can now only drive up to 3.500KG My Swift is under 3,500 KG with a payload of 550KG

I know this is not an exact science but 550KG seems a lot as there are only two of us although on longer journeys we will be loaded up. Any guidance here please?

Thanks Derek
Click to expand...
Well have you got it ????
 
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