Am I Correct in believing a 3.5 T MH. has a limit of 70 mph on M/way and dual carriageway as my Garmin says 60 and I have programmed it for - ,3.5 T ?
- 3,5 T speed limits
- Thread starter Chris51
- Start date
Kannon Fodda
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Speed limits
A limit of 30 miles per hour or 48 kilometres per hour usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting
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Speed limits for under 3.5t motorhomes are the same as cars in the UK.
So, 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways.
Different for over 3.5t.
Richard
So, 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways.
Different for over 3.5t.
Richard
Kannon Fodda
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The Gov website is referring to 3.05T but a 3500kg MH would be 3.5T thus the 60mph dual carriageway 70mph motorway limit? Or don't I understand the difference between KG and Tonne?
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1000kg=1 tonne
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A vehicle registered as a motor caravan in the UK is a bit of an anomaly since it’s speed limit is dependant on its UNLADEN weight unlike other vehicles which are dependant on their max LADEN weight.
See here
www.gov.uk
So if a Motorhome has a max weight of 4.5t but it’s unladen weight is only 3t then the higher (same as car) speed limits apply. If it’s unladen weight is 3.5t then the lower (same as up to 7.5 van/truck) limits apply.
This is only applicable in the UK as most other countries are based on max weight.
With some of today’s poor designs and payloads it’s possible to have a max 3.5t van that is limited to the lower speeds by virtue of it’s unladen weight being more than 3.05t.
See here
Speed limits
A limit of 30 miles per hour or 48 kilometres per hour usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting
So if a Motorhome has a max weight of 4.5t but it’s unladen weight is only 3t then the higher (same as car) speed limits apply. If it’s unladen weight is 3.5t then the lower (same as up to 7.5 van/truck) limits apply.
This is only applicable in the UK as most other countries are based on max weight.
With some of today’s poor designs and payloads it’s possible to have a max 3.5t van that is limited to the lower speeds by virtue of it’s unladen weight being more than 3.05t.
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From the government website
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 30 (48) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) | 70 (112 |
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Unladen Vehicle weight as described by the Gov website
The unladen weight of any vehicle is the weight of the vehicle when it’s not carrying any passengers, goods or other items.
It includes the body and all parts normally used with the vehicle or trailer when it’s used on a road.
It doesn’t include the weight of:
The unladen weight of any vehicle is the weight of the vehicle when it’s not carrying any passengers, goods or other items.
It includes the body and all parts normally used with the vehicle or trailer when it’s used on a road.
It doesn’t include the weight of:
- fuel
- batteries in an electric vehicle - unless it’s a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair
In the UK the speed limit is not based on the revenue weight but the unladen weight which is not shown on my V5C, so it must be very difficult to police the lower limit. My CofC shows an unladen weight of 3015kg so I am not subject to the lower speed limits even though the vehicle is registered 4200kg.
TerryL
LIFE MEMBER
Does anyone really think the DVSA/police are going to spend time checking speed limits/unladen weight when there is no easily accessible information? As it happens mine is quoted on my V5 as 3040kg so I'm not restricted to the lower speed limits, despite having upgraded the MAUW to 3850, which of course makes the whole UK situation a farce.
IMO the only time this would be taken into account is in the event of a serious accident or when the insurance assessor is looking for a way to avoid paying out.
IMO the only time this would be taken into account is in the event of a serious accident or when the insurance assessor is looking for a way to avoid paying out.
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34127
Deleted User
The unladen weight is not shown on the vehicle plate and can not be calculated from it. As said above the 3500kg has no bearing on the UK speed limit applicable. I think you will need to look at the Certificate of Conformity or perhaps the original specification to find out what the unladen weight is. The unladen weight should not vary from journey to journey.
Emmit
LIFE MEMBER
This message is sent out to all of those on here that have a panel van conversion.
Could I suggest that you check your V5C and ensure that it has the description "Motor caravan" therein.
If that description has not been changed by the convertor or subsequently, you run the risk of being stopped by the Police or, even worse, 'Flashed' by a roadside camera when travelling on a dual carriageway.
This is because, unless your vehicle is registered as a motor caravan and it has a G.V.W of more than 2000Kgs, the vehicles speed limit on a dual carriageway is 60mph and not 70mph.
Could I suggest that you check your V5C and ensure that it has the description "Motor caravan" therein.
If that description has not been changed by the convertor or subsequently, you run the risk of being stopped by the Police or, even worse, 'Flashed' by a roadside camera when travelling on a dual carriageway.
This is because, unless your vehicle is registered as a motor caravan and it has a G.V.W of more than 2000Kgs, the vehicles speed limit on a dual carriageway is 60mph and not 70mph.
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34127
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Thank you for your reply. Please excuse my ignorance on this but how do I find out what the unladen weight is when it does not seem to be on the V5C. This refers to a panel van conversion.
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34127
Deleted User
Thank you for your post but as mentioned in my previous post, how do I find the unladen weight.
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Lenny HB
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Virtually impossible, manufacturers do not publish unladen weight your Certificate of Conformity will only show MIRO which is not the same.
Emmit
LIFE MEMBER
It's not the Unladen weight in this case. It's the Gross Vehicle Weight.
Previous comments relate to another issue entirely.
This is yet another trap that it is possible to fall into.
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34127
Deleted User
Yet more to confuse me. Is the GVW the same as Revenue weight
Emmit
LIFE MEMBER
Your comments are based on the vehicle being a 'Motor Caravan' If the vehicle is not a 'Motor Caravan' the speed limit is based on the GVW. If it (say a a
No. The Gross Vehicle weight is the weight that the van would weigh, fully loaded BEFORE it was converted. I can tell you this. Son No.2 drives a Peugeot van for a Utility Co. It is substantially smaller that the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, etc. It has a GVW in excess of 2000Kgs and thus has the lower speed limit on dual carriageways.
ALL!!! the panel van conversions I've ever seen have a GVW over 2000Kgs and thus fall into the same bracket UNLESS!!! they are registered as a Motor Caravan on their V5C's
Sorry, I don’t really know. My Hymer came with a Certificate of Conformity which shows a Masse des fahrbereiten which I have taken to be the unladen weight, as well as the MIRO. The Price List/Technical Data for the Carthago I have on order gives unladen weights as well as MIRO but I have to add the weights of factory fitted extras to both these figures.
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34127
Deleted User
Okay, apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread and thanks for all the replies but I am still confused.
The question is, how do I determine the speed limits when I can't find or work out what the unladen weight is of the vehicle and how does the DVLA work it out. The weight recorded on the V5C is the Revenue Weight which matches the weight on the vin plate.
The question is, how do I determine the speed limits when I can't find or work out what the unladen weight is of the vehicle and how does the DVLA work it out. The weight recorded on the V5C is the Revenue Weight which matches the weight on the vin plate.
Cheshirecat57
Free Member
Go and weigh it
EMPTY
Puddleduck
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Yes, that would be a good place to start. If under 3050kg (no driver or passengers, all tanks empty, no food, no bedding, no pots or pans, no nothing) you can be confident using the upper speed limits. If over then keep to the lower limit (after allowing for the weight of any fuel in the tank).
klaatu
Free Member
I would be interested to hear about anyone who has ever been prosecuted in the UK for driving at a speed higher than the maximum specified for a motorhome over 3050 kg unladen weight and below the maximum specified for a car.
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If you are threatened with speeding , take the van to a weighbridge and have it weighed, AFTER removing EVERYTHING of weight Leisure Batteries, water, fuel, passenger seat table (on Hymers) all cushions and mattresses everything form the cupboards , cassette, TV, absolutely everything from the garage etc THEN get the ticket and put it to a court. if it below that weight they will have to accept the rules as written. I would remove everything, everything, and it would be below that limit. Do not forget the awning either as that is heavy my passenger seat is 50 kilos by itself.
It would be worth it to avoid 3 points and the fine, AND the insurance increase for being a bad boy.
It would be worth it to avoid 3 points and the fine, AND the insurance increase for being a bad boy.
Vic. Parsons.
Free Member
Do you need to know this information because you're in a hurry to get where you're going? Just do 60mph...... or less, it'll be more economical anyway and you'll still get where you want to go, just a few minutes later. ?
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34127
Deleted User
But I would like to be able to do 60 mph legally on a single carriageway and not be restricted to 50mph.
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34127
Deleted User
I will do that but the DVLA must have a weight to set up their databases for speed cameras, well I assume they must.
I have found an email address for someone at the DVLA and sent off a request for clarification and received an auto response to say they will try and respond within ....20 days !.
It will be interesting to read their response, usually I find their replies to awkward questions of little help, they just quote the law and tell you it is your responsibility to comply. Let us hope you get something useful this time.
I suspect the DVLA knows that using unladen weights for speed limits on motorhomes presents enforcement problems. A year ago I drove passed a speed camera van at nearly 60MPH on a single carriageway road in my over 3500kg motorhome and have heard nothing from them. I very much doubt they even bothered to check out my unladen weight, which they might well not have access to anyway. They were probably getting plenty of 60+ hits on cars to make their day worthwhile without digging in difficult areas.
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