Payload (1 Viewer)

[MyrtleGuru]

The UK is signatory to the International Treaties unless it wishes to rescind from those, in which case its licences will not be accepted, even if one applies for an IDP.

So what use would the licence over 3500g be except in UK?

I think the US did not sign, or did not ratify the Treaties, so I do not know what US drivers do outside USA.

Geoff

Ok, let's use Australia as the example, then. A standard car licence there covers vehicles up to 4,500kg.

They can use that licence to drive a vehicle in the UK up to 4,500kg.

 

[nicholsong]

Ok, let's use Australia as the example, then. A standard car licence there covers vehicles up to 4,500kg.

They can use that licence to drive a vehicle in the UK up to 4,500kg.

Can you cite the legal basis for that?

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Can you cite the legal basis for that?

https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence/y/a-visitor-to-great-britain/any-other-country

It states:

“You can drive any small vehicle (eg car or motorcycle) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months from when you last entered Great Britain (GB)”

I read that as, if it is listed on your licence you can drive it, so would cover a van up to 4,500kg. Would be good to hear from an Aussie with direct experience.

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[nicholsong]

https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence/y/a-visitor-to-great-britain/any-other-country

It states:

“You can drive any small vehicle (eg car or motorcycle) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months from when you last entered Great Britain (GB)”

I read that as, if it is listed on your licence you can drive it, so would cover a van up to 4,500kg. Would be good to hear from an Aussie with direct experience.

Wording a bit vague IMO.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Wording a bit vague IMO.

I agree -- very vague.

I checked out New Zealand too and NZ says temporary visitors can drive vehicle types that they are licensed to drive in their home country.

 

[swiftsteve]

Isn't it irrelevant what weight of vehicle your licence allows you to drive? I have an hgv licence, but if I drive a vehicle rated at 3500kg max (ignoring axle weights), I am breaking the law if the vehicle with all my belongings in it weighs more than that 3500kg.
Payload is the single most important consideration when buying a motorhome. The law don't give a toss if you have a fixed bed or rear lounge, but if you're driving around overloaded you are breaking the law.
More responsibility should be placed on manufacturers and dealers, to ensure that nobody buys an unsuitable vehicle.

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[poppycamper]

Ok i have just found this thead and gosh it is a big one... i get jist of license and weights and what you can drive and will it change next week when out of europe. However (and please correct me if i am wrong) but I thought in Ireland you could drive above 3500kg with standard license.

 

[Lenny HB]

Ok i have just found this thead and gosh it is a big one... i get jist of license and weights and what you can drive and will it change next week when out of europe. However (and please correct me if i am wrong) but I thought in Ireland you could drive above 3500kg with standard license.

It's the same as the uk over 3500 kg you need a C1 licence.

Licence Categories and Codes - National Driver Licence Service

Learn more about the categories and codes of your Irish driving licence or learner permit and how they affect your driving entitlement.

www.ndls.ie

 

[poppycamper]

Yep Lenny..you right.... Should have known better than to listen to my know it all...never wrong (Maybe soon to be ex) pal.

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[rick brind]

Yes payload is important especially if it seems like so many people insist on taking everything bar the kitchen sink. And why oh why would you travel with a full water tank and cupboards stuffed with tinned food that's probably all your allowance use up before you load much else.

 

[Lenny HB]

And why oh why would you travel with a full water tank

Why would anyone want to set off without a full water tank?
Never can be sure when you will next be able to fill up.

 

[rick brind]

Why would anyone want to set off without a full water tank?
Never can be sure when you will next be able to fill up.

I guess if you're wild camping and don't intend using a site or aire. Otherwise surely it's down to planning.

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[Conal]

If you are travelling to Spain or southern France in January, as we have done, it is essential to have a full tank of fresh water as the taps in the aires are either switched off or frozen.

However, if there was a reliable place to fill up near Dover/Folkestone or Calais we would do that.

 

[bigtwin]

Yes payload is important especially if it seems like so many people insist on taking everything bar the kitchen sink. And why oh why would you travel with a full water tank and cupboards stuffed with tinned food that's probably all your allowance use up before you load much else.

Obviously a man who neither travels too far nor off season.

Ian

 

[gus-lopez]

. And why oh why would you travel with a full water tank

Because I need it on the journey.When I arrive I can get it easily.

I guess if you're wild camping and don't intend using a site or aire. Otherwise surely it's down to planning.

I never use any type of facility anywhere.

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[Lenny HB]

I guess if you're wild camping and don't intend using a site or aire. Otherwise surely it's down to planning.

Don't do planning, planning and Motorhoming don't go together that's something caravaners do.
Rarely use sites.

If you are travelling to Spain or southern France in January, as we have done, it is essential to have a full tank of fresh water as the taps in the aires are either switched off or frozen.

Exactly last Feb & Mar on the way and back to Spain stayed on 9 Aires only 2 had the water turned on.

 

[rick brind]

Obviously a man who neither travels too far nor off season.

Ian

You're right of course only about 4/5 trips a year over 11months (always fly some where in Dec to avoid Xmas ) covering around 15,000 miles in the van and another 5k on the motorcycle we tow and ride all weathers.

 

[bigtwin]

You're right of course only about 4/5 trips a year over 11months (always fly some where in Dec to avoid Xmas ) covering around 15,000 miles in the van and another 5k on the motorcycle we tow and ride all weathers.

But never with a full water tank. Each to their own. ?

Ian

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[MobyDick57]

Really interesting thread.
We bought our first motorhome without any consideration to payload and found we had to up rate it from 3500kg to 3850kg by upgrading the rear suspension and tyres. However we soon realised that payload is king in decision making followed by axle weight, because in all the conversations so far discuss the weight of an addition but not where it is placed in the van. 25kg bike puts a larger downward pressure on the rear axle if placed between the two axles as opposed to on the rear bike rack.
I agree with the gentleman/ladies who stare all Motorhomes should be advertised with the true axle weights BEFORE the purchase. Sadly this will never happen until there are a number of fatal accidents, which will bring it to the attention of the safety police
Our van came with a payload certificate of 2600kg, so needless to say my wife is very happy

 

[MobyDick57]

Need to correct my last post. The downward pressure on the rear axle would be great if the bikes are on the rear bike rake than between situated between the axles

 

[Carpmart]

You were quick, I deleted that post because I was wrong, If you passed your test before Jan 1997 you can tow up to a combined maximum MAM of 8000kg on a B license.

It's up to 8250, up to 7500 vehicle plus 750 unbraked...

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[Carpmart]

Payload was the most important consideration for me (not the boss) when deciding on what to buy..

6.5T is current plating, but it's a 5T rear axle and 2.2T front, so figure I have scope to increase if needed!

 

[The Coops]

All very interesting but who has ever been pulled over for a weight check? It seems that the intercepts are aimed more at overweight LGV's than motorhomes....Can we have an honest straw poll of who has ever been weight checked in a m/home and then work out what % you have of being done, depending on where overweight is and the% that is within permissible allowance used to be 5% over to the Funsters!

 

[nicholsong]

I have not been weighed, but there are reports of MHs being weighed at Swiss and Austrian borders - mainly I think to find out they are paying for the right passes/Go boxes for their weight.

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[Lenny HB]

A Hymer club member got checked at Nottingham service on the M1 a few years ago. Gave him a notice that allowed him to proceed to his destination but no further.
And 3 fines totalling £180 for being over on both axles and the gross.

 

[Jim]

All very interesting but who has ever been pulled over for a weight check? It seems that the intercepts are aimed more at overweight LGV's than motorhomes....Can we have an honest straw poll of who has ever been weight checked in a m/home and then work out what % you have of being done, depending on where overweight is and the% that is within permissible allowance used to be 5% over to the Funsters!

The chances of being convicted of burglary at the moment is pretty much zero, so should we go steal from our neighbours?

There are a number of Funsters who have reported being weighed at the roadside. But for many that is not the incentive to stay within the limits. Payload and not overloading is about staying on the right side of the law and the insurers, not about the chances of being caught.

 

[HugoBNB]

I was told that the batteries on your e-bikes make up a significant part of their total weight and to remove them and put them up front in the MH when transporting.

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[Lenny HB]

I was told that the batteries on your e-bikes make up a significant part of their total weight and to remove them and put them up front in the MH when transporting.

Used to that on my last van as I was on the rear axle limit.
But they are fairly insignificant in the overall weight of the bike around 10%. A Bosch 400 watt battery is about 2.5 kg.

 

[SuperMike]

Payload, payload, what’s payload.

Only the Very old-mo TypeFellaPerson would understand.

AND, before any of uze get yours calcuminlators out, the maths 8.3lbs/gal is a dam colonial American gallon.

 

[7735]

Counts as a passenger
Joking apart, how many people add the weight of their pet and all its accessories. We have just bougt a amaller lighter cage for our Macaw for the van, as she is out of it most the time. Her old cage was quite heavy.

If she flaps her wings and doesn’t perch she won’t weigh anything.

spongy

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