We are possibly having to downsize to a sub 3500kg van and are looking at the Malibu 640 LE RB Charming. We are concerned about payload and are wondering if anyone has actually weighed their van upon delivery and compared it to the actual stated (predicted) weight? I gather that the actual vehicle weight on the C of C (section 13.2) is still a standardised figure and not the actual weight as it left the factory and could still be subject to the +-5% weight tollerance.
Malibu 640 weights
- Thread starter stevec
- Start date
Yes we weighed our Malibu Van.
They are still allowed the 5% tolerance on CoC figures but the newer regulations about minimum payload seem to have reined them in somewhat. I am inclined to think that Carthago/Malubu were always capable of building down to a very exact margin but they regularly chose to use 130kg of the 5% allowance to make the brochure payload figures look better.
The good news is that my 2024 Malibu 640LE K Van came in very close to the published figures. I think this is down to the EU minimum payload directive. We had the van weighed as delivered to the dealer, again after delivery when initially loaded and twice since when fully loaded for trips. We have not had any nasty surprises. Yes we have had to be a bit careful about what we carry but have absolutely no regrets whatsoever about downsizing from a Carthago A Class to a 3500kg Van. We love it.
I don’t know if you have had a chance to climb aboard an LE RB and an LE K to compare them but when we did we changed from the RB to the K. Nowt wrong with the RB, it is very nice indeed but we did notice that the hob and sink were raised higher than on other models. Both of us being rather short of stature we quickly realised that washing up was going to be very difficult with a higher sink. If you are both tall people this should not be a problem but for us shorties it was a game changer. Best check with your catering department otherwise you could end up with additional duties.
They are still allowed the 5% tolerance on CoC figures but the newer regulations about minimum payload seem to have reined them in somewhat. I am inclined to think that Carthago/Malubu were always capable of building down to a very exact margin but they regularly chose to use 130kg of the 5% allowance to make the brochure payload figures look better.
The good news is that my 2024 Malibu 640LE K Van came in very close to the published figures. I think this is down to the EU minimum payload directive. We had the van weighed as delivered to the dealer, again after delivery when initially loaded and twice since when fully loaded for trips. We have not had any nasty surprises. Yes we have had to be a bit careful about what we carry but have absolutely no regrets whatsoever about downsizing from a Carthago A Class to a 3500kg Van. We love it.
I don’t know if you have had a chance to climb aboard an LE RB and an LE K to compare them but when we did we changed from the RB to the K. Nowt wrong with the RB, it is very nice indeed but we did notice that the hob and sink were raised higher than on other models. Both of us being rather short of stature we quickly realised that washing up was going to be very difficult with a higher sink. If you are both tall people this should not be a problem but for us shorties it was a game changer. Best check with your catering department otherwise you could end up with additional duties.
The van will most likely be + 5% . As said above be Very careful what you carry. Don't get me Wrong I love my Malibu but what the blurb says and what is Fact are Miles Apart. 
- Jun 8, 2024
- 21
- 25
- Funster No
- 103,675
- MH
- Frankia F-Line i640
Having previously had a Malibu 600 I was on some European FB pages and having enough payload seemed to be a constant issue with the larger 640 base vehicles, things may have changed since the 2020 build models but I would consider what you want to carry very carefully especially as your down sizing, simple things like traveling with a full water tank etc may tip you over the edge.
My recent Malibu Van purchase was much less than 5% out, pretty much on the mark.
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“Yes we have had to be a bit careful about what we carry but have absolutely no regrets whatsoever about downsizing from a Carthago A Class to a 3500kg Van. We love it.“
We currently have an A class Carthago CTourer and I am expecting to lose an eye this year through surgery so won’t be able to use my recent hard won C1 renewal! Don’t want to give up motorhoming so looking to downsize.
We currently have an A class Carthago CTourer and I am expecting to lose an eye this year through surgery so won’t be able to use my recent hard won C1 renewal! Don’t want to give up motorhoming so looking to downsize.
- Dec 19, 2020
- 4,363
- 12,724
- Funster No
- 78,519
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2017
My A Class Compactline 138 manual 2.3 just about manages to squeeze under 3500Kg fully loaded but I do have the cab lockers instead of the dropdown bed option which saves a few kilos.
Really sorry to hear about your eye. Motorhoming in a van is quite liberating and just as much fun.
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