New van weight upgrade (1 Viewer)

[errpaul]

Happy to do it myself. Can you offer any guidance?

From what i remember it's just filling in change of vehicle details on the v5. They'll probably want a copy of a weighbridge ticket too to show that it is within the weight and that you have what they consider to be enough payload.

 

[Fragle]

Hi, what model and age Coral do you have? Ours is plated at 3500, but I'm not sure what the van weighs empty (or just driver and fuel/water), when I googled I found an article saying it is 3150, but not sure how reliable that is. Ours is a 2005 Coral 670SK

Ours is a 2014 670 plus sl. I was unsure after we added all the extras like microwave, solar, tv's. Canopy ect so I thought getting a proper check is best option. Only £5

 

[westy77]

Ours is a 2014 670 plus sl. I was unsure after we added all the extras like microwave, solar, tv's. Canopy ect so I thought getting a proper check is best option. Only £5

Thanks. I do want to get it weighed. Need to find a public weigh bridge. Annoyingly there is one very close but not public. I asked if they would weigh me but the VOSA womble said no.

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[DP+JAY]

Ours is a Coral A660SP(3litre engine) & has a MIRO of 3175kg. without the solar panels etc.

 

[Paul and Jeannette]

I am still confused about up grading thr plate. I know my road tax will be less but does it increase the payload. Some say yes and some say no in different searches on the net.
Ours is a fiat suntor 3400 and will be carrying a honda innova soon on the rear bumber weight 100kg and a higher payload would be useful.
I will be getting assisted air suspension to keep the rear end up and imprrove the ride.
any help on upgrading will be appriciated.

 

[PP Bear]

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/a-wake-up-call-at-the-weighbridge.163156/

The best thing you can do is upgrade. Lots and lots of us are running overweight without even realising it.

Just had mine upgraded to 3970kgs.

Cost £150 all in and very quick service too.

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[Paul and Jeannette]

many thanks, does it increase the rear axel load or just the overall loading within the front and rear axel

 

[Paul and Jeannette]

PP Bear, where did you get yours done as I have been told it can be £250 to do

 

[PeteH]

It's often just a paper exercise. No spanners are harmed in the process. But in your case I guess the suspension was upgraded, perhaps an extra leaf added to the rear suspension.

Check your model and refer to http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/downloads/al-ko-amc-commercial-brochure-2010.pdf if it is an Alko Chassis. Most of the 3.5t range can be upgraded some (like mine) as far as 3850kg. without doing anything. Some need a tyre change 205/70/R15C to 215/70/R15C. To get there. To be fair IF I was changing 4 Tyres I`d go one higher to get a better load rating.

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[maison]

We have just traded in a m/h plated at 3650kgs without any difficulty at all. No arguments from sales staff that the C1 licence makes them undesirable.

 

[DBK]

I am still confused about up grading thr plate. I know my road tax will be less but does it increase the payload. Some say yes and some say no in different searches on the net.
Ours is a fiat suntor 3400 and will be carrying a honda innova soon on the rear bumber weight 100kg and a higher payload would be useful.
I will be getting assisted air suspension to keep the rear end up and imprrove the ride.
any help on upgrading will be appriciated.

I suggest you contact SV Tech, they will be able to advise what can or cannot be done. For example, if by adding the Honda you exceed the rear axle loading can this be overcome with a modification? SV Tech are not the only people you can go to but you will be assured of a swift response from them - and you can't upgrade it yourself. You could mod the suspension yourself but the paperwork to cover the upgrade has to come from someone the DVLA will recognise.

 

[Minxy]

This is the chap/company I used:

Mr AHJ Ruffles (calls himself John)
company is JR Consultancy
tel: 01359 250808 / 01244 544 598
Email: truckcon@outlook.com

Less than half the price of SVTech

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[Minxy]

I am still confused about up grading thr plate. I know my road tax will be less but does it increase the payload. Some say yes and some say no in different searches on the net.
Ours is a fiat suntor 3400 and will be carrying a honda innova soon on the rear bumber weight 100kg and a higher payload would be useful.
I will be getting assisted air suspension to keep the rear end up and imprrove the ride.
any help on upgrading will be appriciated.

Yes it will increase the payload but by how much will depend on your vehicle chassis etc, it won't, however, increase the maximum capacity for each individual axle without other modifications (if possible) but most people don't need to go to that extent.

Don't forget to include the weight of the bike carrier in addition to the weight of the bike.

 

[Speve]

Another thing to consider is going above 3500 is breakdown cover. This can be far more expensive or there may be certain restrictions on cover provided, especially in europe

Never paid extra for being over 3500kg most insures Say it won’t make any difference we paid £62 for full European cover

 

[Minxy]

Never paid extra for being over 3500kg most insures Say it won’t make any difference we paid £62 for full European cover

Going over 3500kg does make a difference with some breakdown policies, some won't cover over 3500kg or will ask for more money to do so, others will reduce the cover provided as the vehicle then 'moves' into the commercial class of vehicle so free overnight accommodation, hire car etc are not then usually provided ... trust me I checked!

The only sure way to find out is to check with the provider of your breakdown cover so you don't get caught out in the event that you need assistance.

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[Speve]

PP Bear, where did you get yours done as I have been told it can be £250 to do

It will cost whoever you use we used SV Tech without any problems they are well worth the money. There are others as in previous posts.

 

[Blue Knight]

I am still confused about up grading thr plate. I know my road tax will be less but does it increase the payload. Some say yes and some say no in different searches on the net.
Ours is a fiat suntor 3400 and will be carrying a honda innova soon on the rear bumber weight 100kg and a higher payload would be useful.
I will be getting assisted air suspension to keep the rear end up and imprrove the ride.
any help on upgrading will be appriciated.

Hi P&J,

I've got a few questions which should help me ascertain the actual mass of the scooter on your rear axle.

1. Does the '100kg' figure mentioned relate to the dry weight (no fuel, oil, battery etc) of the scooter or is this the kerb weight (i.e. Fuelled and ready to go).

2. How are you going to mount the scooter and what is the weight of the contraption being used (in kg please).

3. What is the wheelbase of your motorhome in millimetres.

4. What is the distance between the rear axle and the end of the motorhome, again in mm please.

5. Have you been to a weighbridge recently and what was your rear axle weight in full travelling mode.

Very best,

Andrew

Footnote: I've just done another calculation for a 125-kg scooter mounted with a 100kg support bracket on a van with a large overhang and the total extra mass on the rear axle, due to the fulcrum effect, was 397kg.

 

[Paul and Jeannette]

will get back to you blue knight when I have measured up and got all the info.

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[Paul and Jeannette]

Blue Knight,
Hi, sooter weight wet is 106kg includes top box.
wheel base is 3200mm
rear axil to back of van 2000mm
easy lifter tow bar rack 40kg
van weights 3400kg
5400kg
1-1750
2-1900kg
weigh bridge in summer without easy lifter but with 3 bike fiamma and two electric cycles was 1800kg
many thanks for taking the time

 

[Paul and Jeannette]

many thanks for all the above replies, all helpful stuff, it is nice to know you can get independant advise from people that have brought the T-shirt.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

It costs nothing to uprate your van and nothing to down load and your insurance stays the same as its just a paper exercise.,no mods /lol

You do have to pay 'The authorised qualified Person.' to do the paperwork though and the usual suspects are NOT cheap.

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[PP Bear]

PP Bear, where did you get yours done as I have been told it can be £250 to do

John Ruffles.

He was brilliant, well worth the money and very honest.

His email:
truckcon@outlook.com

 

[Neckender]

Just had mine done by JR consultancy up plated from 3500to 4100 very quick and cost £150.

John.

 

[Blue Knight]

Blue Knight,
Hi, sooter weight wet is 106kg includes top box.
wheel base is 3200mm
rear axil to back of van 2000mm
easy lifter tow bar rack 40kg
van weights 3400kg
5400kg
1-1750
2-1900kg
weigh bridge in summer without easy lifter but with 3 bike fiamma and two electric cycles was 1800kg
many thanks for taking the time

Hi P&J,

I have adjusted the 2000mm figure (rear axle to the rear of van) and have added 350mm to take into account the extra displacement of the scooter from the van once it is mounted.

Therefore:

Your combined scooter and easy lifter weight of 146kg will add a total of 253kg on your rear axle.

However, you will have to bear in mind that the addition of the scooter, via the fulcrum effect, will lighten the front axle by 107kg so your van's steering will become lighter than it is now.

I'll need to know the actual weights of your two electric bikes to give you an exact calculation of the package but by my reckoning if you were able to raise the rear axle limit from 1,900kg to 2,000kg then you will be able to tour in your van within safe margins, i.e. You may have 1 or 2kg to spare. The best option would be to try and raise it to 2,100kg if it's possible to do so.

Hope this helps,

All the best,

Andrew

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[Paul and Jeannette]

many thanks Andrew, it is a complicated matter,

 

[Wagoneer]

If the OP upgrades from 3500Kg to 3650Kg.......it is usual for the front and rear axle permissible loads to stay the same as the 3500Kg chassis.

The 3650Kg chassis will just give more flexibility in distributing the load between the two axles but won't increase the overall load carrying ability of the vehicle.

 

[TinaLes]

Just for the record SV tech did confirm that our Fiat Ducato with a Fiat light Chassis currently with Front Axle Load of 1800KGs and Rear Axle 2000KG,s with a current MTPLM of 3650KG,s
This could be further uprated to a max of 3850KGs MTPLM, by fitting rear air assist suspension, and raising rear axle max to 2250KG,s
Current wheels are 16 inch rims, with 225x75x16 Agrilis tyres with a 115 load rating which are OK to cover the upgrade from 3650KGs to 3850KGs should I wish to do so.

Currently, at the weigh bridge with Full diesel tank 70KGs & half full water 65KGs, awning 45KGs, 2x11KG LPG tanks 22KGs, me in drivers seat 80KGs, few items in garage 25KGs, the weigh bridge cert came out at 3380KGs...so 270KGs payload left to get TinaL in passenger seat, clothes, and everything else. It can be done but will go with 3850KGs upgrade next summer I think, to improve stability/comfort with the air suspension and give me another 200KGs payload. Should cost around £900 in total with SV Tech Fee, Air suspension basic fitted & DVLA new V5 uprate.
Hope that helps
Les

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[PeteH]

Just for the record SV tech did confirm that our Fiat Ducato with a Fiat light Chassis currently with Front Axle Load of 1800KGs and Rear Axle 2000KG,s with a current MTPLM of 3650KG,s
This could be further uprated to a max of 3850KGs MTPLM, by fitting rear air assist suspension, and raising rear axle max to 2250KG,s
Current wheels are 16 inch rims, with 225x75x16 Agrilis tyres with a 115 load rating which are OK to cover the upgrade from 3650KGs to 3850KGs should I wish to do so.

Currently, at the weigh bridge with Full diesel tank 70KGs & half full water 65KGs, awning 45KGs, 2x11KG LPG tanks 22KGs, me in drivers seat 80KGs, few items in garage 25KGs, the weigh bridge cert came out at 3380KGs...so 270KGs payload left to get TinaL in passenger seat, clothes, and everything else. It can be done but will go with 3850KGs upgrade next summer I think, to improve stability/comfort with the air suspension and give me another 200KGs payload. Should cost around £900 in total with SV Tech Fee, Air suspension basic fitted & DVLA new V5 uprate.
Hope that helps
Les

I am concerned that there is a need for Air Suspension?. Air suspension is normally only an "AID",(unless part of the design, as in trucks and buses), and should never be used as a "CURE". to increase Payload. I ASSUME your chassis is Alko, (most are, especially if Fiat). in which case Look Here:- http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/downloads/al-ko-amc-commercial-brochure-2010.pdf The "Light" Chassis (33 to 38L) are on 15" wheels and rated rear axle to max 2000kg. However the "Heavy" Chassis (35H and 38HA) are on 16" wheels and rated rear axle of 2400kg.

It might be worth while "investigating" your actual Chassis Model, it is possible that having been supplied with 16" wheels yours MAY already be capable (AMC 35H and AMC 35HA) of being uprated without the extra expense of "Air Assist"?.

 

[Blue Knight]

many thanks Andrew, it is a complicated matter,

I think you will be fine now. The calculations above suggest that you need an axle capable of taking a 2,100kg load.

You now need to chat with one of the companies mentioned above (JR Consultancy or SV Tech) and see what can be done to raise your load capacity.

Be aware that JR Consultancy is much cheaper than SV Tech so I see no point in paying £150-£200 more than you should for the same service.

If you need to add 'semi air suspension' then it will cost about £350-£400 for a kit and about £150 to fit. You can fit it yourself if you can access the underside of the van.

If you guys have a chat with one of the companies mentioned above and then post up your findings and perhaps we can help a bit more.

Best of luck,

Andrew

 

[Minxy]

I am concerned that there is a need for Air Suspension?. Air suspension is normally only an "AID",(unless part of the design, as in trucks and buses), and should never be used as a "CURE". to increase Payload. I ASSUME your chassis is Alko, (most are, especially if Fiat). in which case Look Here:- http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/downloads/al-ko-amc-commercial-brochure-2010.pdf The "Light" Chassis (33 to 38L) are on 15" wheels and rated rear axle to max 2000kg. However the "Heavy" Chassis (35H and 38HA) are on 16" wheels and rated rear axle of 2400kg.

It might be worth while "investigating" your actual Chassis Model, it is possible that having been supplied with 16" wheels yours MAY already be capable (AMC 35H and AMC 35HA) of being uprated without the extra expense of "Air Assist"?.

I was wondering the same too but it's not unknown for some light chassis versions to have 16" wheels if they've got alloys (not sure if this one has or not) - I've just look up the MH and it is on the Fiat frame 35 light chassis:

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