Bartyfixedit
LIFE MEMBER
I have a self build Fiat Ducato maxi L4H3 which I have converted to a 4 berth with 4 full length beds. A UK king size double and two full length bunks for the boys. 200 ltr fridge freezer 300 Amp/hr batteries, 300W solar panels, 38ltr underslung gas tank etc etc
Now, if I pack carefully and only partially fill the water tank, I can just about manage to stay at 3500kg. I carry no spare wheel, just a reinflation kit.
The van is the Maxi spec and so has 16" wheels and can be easily uprated to around 4000kg just as a simple paper exercise with SV tech. I am 53 and my wife is 47 so licences are not an issue.
I would quite like to uprate and just pack as I wish, including a spare wheel.
What are the downsides?
I believe that I would have to go heavy vehicle in Switzerland, what happens elsewhere? Do I suddenly pay class 3 peage in France if I uprate? What are other peoples experiences?
I see two choices:
Uprate and pay the costs and added tolls etc.
Or:
Take a chance.
The van can easily go to 4000kg without any safety issues. It has the 16" wheels with the correct load bearing tyres and, if I stick air suspension on the back, I can make the van sit like it is empty.
What are the risks?
If the authorities are looking to weigh campervans then they will be looking for the 15" wheel variants with the tyres almost touching the bodywork won't they? I am amazed at the number of "professionally made" vans that are on 3500kg, 15" wheel chassis with very little leeway to uprate.
Lets face it, there are a huge number of campervans out there rolling along at way over the safe weight and they are not difficult to spot. I am looking at being slightly over the weight my paperwork says, but still well within the capacities of the suspension, brakes, vehicle and tyres.
Are there any of you who drive an uprated camper who wish they could get it back to 3500kg? I would repeat that licence issues are not applicable to us (At this moment in time, and god willing).
I would happily uprate, but not if it is then going to cost me a fortune in tolls etc.
Over to you fellas who have been there,
Thanks
David.
Now, if I pack carefully and only partially fill the water tank, I can just about manage to stay at 3500kg. I carry no spare wheel, just a reinflation kit.
The van is the Maxi spec and so has 16" wheels and can be easily uprated to around 4000kg just as a simple paper exercise with SV tech. I am 53 and my wife is 47 so licences are not an issue.
I would quite like to uprate and just pack as I wish, including a spare wheel.
What are the downsides?
I believe that I would have to go heavy vehicle in Switzerland, what happens elsewhere? Do I suddenly pay class 3 peage in France if I uprate? What are other peoples experiences?
I see two choices:
Uprate and pay the costs and added tolls etc.
Or:
Take a chance.
The van can easily go to 4000kg without any safety issues. It has the 16" wheels with the correct load bearing tyres and, if I stick air suspension on the back, I can make the van sit like it is empty.
What are the risks?
If the authorities are looking to weigh campervans then they will be looking for the 15" wheel variants with the tyres almost touching the bodywork won't they? I am amazed at the number of "professionally made" vans that are on 3500kg, 15" wheel chassis with very little leeway to uprate.
Lets face it, there are a huge number of campervans out there rolling along at way over the safe weight and they are not difficult to spot. I am looking at being slightly over the weight my paperwork says, but still well within the capacities of the suspension, brakes, vehicle and tyres.
Are there any of you who drive an uprated camper who wish they could get it back to 3500kg? I would repeat that licence issues are not applicable to us (At this moment in time, and god willing).
I would happily uprate, but not if it is then going to cost me a fortune in tolls etc.
Over to you fellas who have been there,
Thanks
David.