Pros/cons of uprating weight from 3500Kgs

[JohnJan]

Having read various threads which mention uprating, I'm in two minds about doing this. Pros are clearly more personal weight allowance, cheaper road tax and staying within law. Cons are speed and lane restrictions. Has anyone actually been stopped and charged with being over loaded? Or convicted? Is there a tolerance of 10%?
TIA

 

[596]

I possibly drove for 9yrs overweight as unbeknown to me the previous owner had downplated the van, only found out when I went to uprate it.

So, over 3,500kg you need the C1 licence, if over 70 you need a medical, also there are restrictions if you are in an LEZ, I had a Euro 3 engine which would have meant the addition of expensive emission filters if I updated, so check that out. There are places you can’t go if over 3.5T, that’s my input ?

 

[Two on Tour]

What are the speed and lane restrictions as I was not aware of any for up-plated motorhome weights unless you were already over the 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight.

Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)	30 (48)	60 (96)	70 (112)	70 (112)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)	30 (48)	50 (80)	60 (96)	70 (112)

 

[bigtwin]

What are the speed and lane restrictions as I was not aware of any for up-plated motorhome weights unless you were already over the 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight.

Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)	30 (48)	60 (96)	70 (112)	70 (112)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)	30 (48)	50 (80)	60 (96)	70 (112)

Wot e Z.

Ian

 

[Two on Tour]

Wot e Z.

Ian

Sorry, you have lost me there, what is Wot e Z

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[bigtwin]

Sorry, you have lost me there, what is Wot e Z

I’m agreeing with everything you said (what he said ?).

Ian

 

[Two on Tour]

I’m agreeing with everything you said (what he said ?).

Ian

Got cha now.
Sorry, I'm not down with de kids much these days bro. ?

 

[TerryL]

That 3.05t MUW figure only relates to the UK but you are correct (I hope!) in your assumption that up-rating doesn't affect the MUW and thus speed limits in the UK.

In Europe they use MAUW to decide speed limits as well as other restrictions, which is the origin of the magic 3500kg. France recently issued a blanket speed limit of 80kph for vehicles over 3500kg, except on motorways, so that needs to be considered by the OP.

Personally being over 3500kg doesn't really bother us as we're never in much of a rush - if we are we'll use the autoroutes.

 

[Brains]

Having driven both.
Over 3500kg the issues are speeds and restrictions on where you can go
If you dont need to do it, I would not do it

Also - when you come to sell it, you will be limiting your pool of buyers.
Remember no one under the of 40 can drive vehicles over 3500kg on a normal licence

 

[Langtoftlad]

Also - when you come to sell it, you will be limiting your pool of buyers.
Remember no one under the of 40 can drive vehicles over 3500kg on a normal licence

However, if up rated, it can always be down rated when it's time to sell if that's an issue.

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[Two on Tour]

Over 3500kg the issues are speeds

Please define these speed issues as you see them then.

 

[JohnJan]

I was in France a few weeks ago and the dreaded 3500kgs speed sign of 80kph is everywhere. My Mass in service weight is 3040kgs and I am assuming that is also the Max Unladen weight(unless you can tell me otherwise) so there is no difference actually. I thought I was in the sub 3.05 tonnes until I looked at the log book.

 

[pete4x4]

Its 5% tolerance on weighbridges per axle according to govt websites, you just have to hope that the weighbridge is not -5% when you weigh

 

[Two on Tour]

I was in France a few weeks ago and the dreaded 3500kgs speed sign of 80kph is everywhere. My Mass in service weight is 3040kgs and I am assuming that is also the Max Unladen weight(unless you can tell me otherwise) so there is no difference actually. I thought I was in the sub 3.05 tonnes until I looked at the log book.
View attachment 340921

If your Mass in service weight is 3040kgs then you are below the 3.05 tonnes (3050kgs) threshold then for the UK.

It's the section f1 Max. permissible mass or the section [Y] revenue weight on your V5 that will govern your travelling in France.

 

[Pausim]

I thought I was in the sub 3.05 tonnes until I looked at the log book.

Where does the log book show this please? I seem to only have revenue weight, max permissible mass and towing weights.

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[Two on Tour]

Where does the log book show this please? I seem to only have revenue weight, max permissible mass and towing weights.

Section f1 Max. permissible mass on V5's is often blank, but if there is a figure in it, it must match the section [Y] revenue weight.

 

[Pausim]

Section f1 Max. permissible mass on V5's is often blank, but if there is a figure in it, it must match the section [Y] revenue weight.

Thanks but the sub 3.05 tonnes relates to maximum unladen weight which doesn’t seem to be in the log book.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Thanks but the sub 3.05 tonnes relates to maximum unladen weight which doesn’t seem to be in the log book.

QED
It's not recorded - hence you can drive at car limits - if you're in a rush, that is.

 

[thebriars]

Surely in France they will simply check the van's weight plate which will show over the 3500 MAUW.

I have just reclaimed my grandfather rights which I lost after turning 70, and have been through this same question. There seem to be several points for up-plating:
1. Lower road tax.
2. Higher weight limit
3. No change for speed limits in UK if unladen weight is under 3050kg

However the downsides are:
1. Lower speed limits abroad as they work on the all up weight.
2. Possible problems with recovery cover due to the higher weight.
3. Many restrictions in France going through towns and villages with a weight limit of 3500kg.

For me I probably won't up-plate, because now having the C1, they can't do me for driving outside the restrictions of my driving license if caught overweight. Also, if weight checked, and bearing in mind the 5% tolerance, then I can simply dump any fresh water and that should bring me below.

 

[Brains]

Please define these speed issues as you see them then.

Country	Motorhome Weight	Motorway	Non-motorway roads
Austria	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	62mph, 100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	50mph, 80km/h	44mph, 70km/h
Belgium	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	74mph, 120km/h	56mph, 90km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	56mph, 90km/h	56mph, 90km/h
Croatia	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56-68mph, 90-110km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	56mph, 90km/h	50mph, 80km/h
Czech Republic	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56mph, 90km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	50mph, 80km/h	50mph, 80km/h
Denmark	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	68-81mph, 110-130km/h	50-56mph, 80-90km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	44mph, 70km/h	44mph, 70km/h
Germany	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	62mph, 100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	62mph, 100km/h	50mph, 80km/h
France	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56-68mph, 90-110km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	68mph, 110km/h	50-62mph, 80-100km/h
Hungary	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56-68mph, 90-110km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	50mph, 80km/h	44mph, 70km/h
Ireland	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	74mph, 120km/h	37-62mph, 60-100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	50mph, 80km/h	37-50mph, 60-80km/h
Italy	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56-68mph, 90-110km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	62mph, 100km/h	50mph, 80km/h
Luxembourg	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56mph, 90km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56mph, 90km/h
Norway	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	56-68mph, 90-100km/h	50mph, 80km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	68mph, 110km/h	68mph, 110km/h
Portugal	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	74mph, 120km/h	56-62mph, 90-100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	62mph, 100km/h	44-56mph, 70-90km/h
Slovenia	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	56-62mph, 90-100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	50mph, 80km/h	50mph, 80km/h
Spain	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	62 mph, 100 km/h	50-56 mph, 80-90 km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	56 mph, 90 km/h	50 mph, 80 km/h
Sweden	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	56-74mph, 90-120km/h	44-62mph, 70-100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	56-74mph, 90-120km/h	44-62mph, 70-100km/h
Switzerland	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	74mph, 120km/h	50-62mph, 80-100km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	62mph, 100km/h	50-62mph, 80-100km/h
The Netherlands	Motorhome weighing under 3.5t	81mph, 130km/h	50-56mph, 80-90km/h
Motorhome weighing more than 3.5t	50mph, 80km/h	50mph, 80km/h

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[gus-lopez]

Its 5% tolerance on weighbridges per axle according to govt websites, you just have to hope that the weighbridge is not -5% when you weigh

& the allowances & limits apply specifically to commercial vehicles. For plg etc; they are expected to apply common sense & just give a warning, get weight below the MPM & send you on your way.

 

[Two on Tour]

For plg etc; they are expected to apply common sense & just give a warning, get weight below the MPM & send you on your way.

I'm not to sure the wife is going to be to happy about getting out and walking though. ?

 

[JohnJan]

Where does the log book show this please? I seem to only have revenue weight, max permissible mass and towing weights.

I have G. Mass in service of 3040, nothing in F.1 and no limits on braked or unbraked trailer(space is blank) And no Revenue weight in Y?
Is a PCV Citroen Relay L4H2

 

[JohnJan]

I'm not to sure the wife is going to be to happy about getting out and walking though. ?

Oh dear! That sounds like the start of something unpleasant coming your way!! Good luck

 

[thebriars]

I'm not to sure the wife is going to be to happy about getting out and walking though. ?

MY OH is OK, we carry a folding road legal mobility scooter for her in the back.

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