Autograph 3 increased back axle limit increase

[wuzzlewood]

Hi, I am a new member but I have had motorhome for thrifty years and about to pick up my second Bailey!

my last van was a 740, my new one a autograph 3 74-2!

I would like to know if anyone here has experience of increasing the payload by increasing the maximum weight to 4250kgs?

I know that the increase to 3850kgs is a paper exercise but the load limit on the back axle stays at 2 tonnes and as that is the limiting factor, the extra 350kgs cannot really be used.

The six berth autograph 3 the 81-6 is quoted as 4250kgs does anyone know what differences Bailey have made to axle, suspension and wheel/tyre combination to achieve this?

thanks in advance!

 

[pappajohn]

Probably none..... They could be using the 4250 or 5000kg chassis.

 

[Lenny HB]

If its on the light chassis 3850 kg Max if an Al-Ko chassis the rear axle can be increased to 2240 but you will need to fit air asist and may need to change the tyres. I don't know what can be done with a Fiat chassis.
Probably cheaper to go for the maxi chassis option.

If its on 4250 on the Maxi chassis the rear axle will be either 2400kg or 2500kg depending on Fiat or Al-Ko chassis.

 

[wuzzlewood]

Thanks for that, I was told that the chassis was the same but perhaps you have hit the proverbial nail on the head!
I plan on going to SV tech for advice anyway I just wanted to get an initial heads up of what I may have to do.
Thanks again!

 

[Ninjabob]

The maximum you can get to is 1850kgs on the front and 2240kgs on the rear. To get those 240kgs you need to fit air suspension on the rear and 225/70/15 112 tyres. Use SVTech or John Raffles for the upgrade paperwork. You will need to supply proof of those two upgrades. On my 75-2 I had VB Comfort Air fitted to the rear. Now plated at 4100kgs. Bear in mind you will be unlikely to load the front to more than 1750 kgs in my experience although with four passenger seats you may be able. The 240kgs on the rear is the useful part of the upgrade.

The 79-6 and the newer version has a different chassis already rated at 4250kgs.

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[SandraL]

Fiat make 2 model chassis, the light and the maxi.
They are then married to an alko rear chassis.( I assume bailey use alko)
The maxi can usually be upgraded to 4750 kg with stronger front suspension, 2300kg, and adding air assist to the rear , 2700kg,
The light chassis has lower limits, not sure what they are.
More info can be obtained by talking to sv tech or john ruffles. Search on this forum for more info.

 

[wuzzlewood]

The maximum you can get to is 1850kgs on the front and 2240kgs on the rear. To get those 240kgs you need to fit air suspension on the rear and 225/70/15 112 tyres. Use SVTech or John Raffles for the upgrade paperwork. You will need to supply proof of those two upgrades. On my 75-2 I had VB Comfort Air fitted to the rear. Now plated at 4100kgs. Bear in mind you will be unlikely to load the front to more than 1750 kgs in my experience although with four passenger seats you may be able. The 240kgs on the rear is the useful part of the upgrade.

The 79-6 and the newer version has a different chassis already rated at 4250kgs.

Thanks, mine is the “new” one with 16 inch wheels and the low chassis as opposed to the ultra low on the previous models and currently on the other models, only the autograph 3 is on the higher chassis! The “silver edition” has 16” wheels but is still on the ultra low chassis!

I didn’t like the ultra low chassis on my 740 hence we buying a new autograph 3.