Has anyone been stopped for van being over weight

[2657]

Busby and others add confusion to this discussion by making continual reference to commercial trucks and vans that are carrying goods for hire and reward. We motorhomers are private vehicles usually enjoying ourselves at our leisure activities. The authorities know this, if stopped and found to be overweight by less than 10% (in the uk) the usual action involves a discussion and an information leaflet.

Sorry but overloaded is overloaded, why do you expect preferential treatment.

 

[Crazylegs]

Sorry but overloaded is overloaded, why do you expect preferential treatment.

I don’t, like many I am plated at 3.500kg with the ability to up plate by 10% with a simple bit of form filling should I feel the need.
The truck and van operators who are overweight damage roads, drive potentially unsafe vehicles and have a commercial advantage compared to their competitors who operate legally, because they are carrying more goods, this is why the DSA have a remit to find and prosecute these commercial cheats.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Sorry but overloaded is overloaded, why do you expect preferential treatment.

Running the risk of a penalty or prohibition if you get nabbed is one thing, but as @Vanman said at post #128 the maximum axle weights relate to the safety limit for tyres and suspension. The same goes for the brakes, so you might expect overloading to increase your emergency stopping distance. I'm still getting to grips with driving the X290 3500kg chassis, but the braking leaves a bit to be desired, so I now need to think longer stopping distances and brake earlier than I used to. That's even running quite light. I wonder if other Funsters find this or is it just me?

 

[Munchie]

We have an x290 2016 euro 5+ panel van rated at 3500kgs and brakes are superb!

 

[filopastry]

My 2002 Laika 7.1G, only 3500kg honest guv, stops on a tanner rather impressed with it really only problem is the drivers seating position is a little too high for me ... hey ho

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[2657]

I don’t, like many I am plated at 3.500kg with the ability to up plate by 10% with a simple bit of form filling should I feel the need.
The truck and van operators who are overweight damage roads, drive potentially unsafe vehicles and have a commercial advantage compared to their competitors who operate legally, because they are carrying more goods, this is why the DSA have a remit to find and prosecute these commercial cheats.

Do you think commercial vehicles do not have a margin between the sum of axle weights and the gross weight just the same as you do.

Regardless of commercial considerations weight limits are there essentially for the purposes of road safety, potentially unsafe vehicles are not the perogative of commercial operators and the sanctions applied for transgressions can be very severe.

DVSA have a remit to find and prosecute any unsafe vehicles.

 

[SpeedyDux]

We have an x290 2016 euro 5+ panel van rated at 3500kgs and brakes are superb!

I just don't have enough confidence that the PVC I drive will stop hard and straight in a real emergency, so maybe there is an issue with the brakes or servo that needs looking at when it goes in for the first service. I was used to a VW that had really powerful brakes.

 

[Crazylegs]

Do you think commercial vehicles do not have a margin between the sum of axle weights and the gross weight just the same as you do.

Regardless of commercial considerations weight limits are there essentially for the purposes of road safety, potentially unsafe vehicles are not the perogative of commercial operators and the sanctions applied for transgressions can be very severe.

DVSA have a remit to find and prosecute any unsafe vehicles.

I’m obviously not making myself clear, have you even read this thread ? chaser has asked if anyone has actually been weighed and the response is the same as every time it has been asked before. Ignoring the friend of a friend story’s and the inevitable van and truck reports it is a pretty rare occurrence in the Uk, Europe may be different I don’t have the details. Therefore I have been trying to explain why the authorities focus there attention on goods vehicles.
Oh and for your information if you were fined for being overweight in a private vehicle the usual fee is £60, hardly servere wouldn’t you say ?

 

[nicholsong]

Sorry but overloaded is overloaded, why do you expect preferential treatment.

Well I refer to the quote I made in post 147 above from DVSA's own Enforcement Guidlines - they certainly demonstrate a different approach to private use.

I do not know whether that is their own initiative or comes from the Dft.

Geoff

 

[pagey]

Running the risk of a penalty or prohibition if you get nabbed is one thing, but as @Vanman said at post #128 the maximum axle weights relate to the safety limit for tyres and suspension. The same goes for the brakes, so you might expect overloading to increase your emergency stopping distance. I'm still getting to grips with driving the X290 3500kg chassis, but the braking leaves a bit to be desired, so I now need to think longer stopping distances and brake earlier than I used to. That's even running quite light. I wonder if other Funsters find this or is it just me?

hi i run a 2017 x290 and find the brakes better than my previous x250

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