Really simple about weight!

[chrispike306]

Thinking about a motorhome for retirement, but have a question. Sorry in advance for the question that has probabily been asked a million times.

I have an after 97 licence, so no C1. If I buy a motor home with a weight of 3499kg, can I drive that? As with me and my stuff in it, it will be over 3500kg.

 

[peterc10]

Simple answer is no. You cannot drive a vehicle with a MAM (maximum authorised weight) over 3500kg no matter what weight it actually is. And if you drive a vehicle that had a MAM of 3500kg and you load it over that weight you will be overloaded which is also an offence.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

You've answered your own question.

 

[Gerby]

chrispike306 is the 3499 its actual weight or its plated weight (mtplm) if the latter then you may well be fine as the MIRO (Mass in running order) will be less than the MTPLM put simply the difference between the 2 is what you can carry including yourselves and there is an allowance for some fuel water etc in the MIRO as well.
There are many posts on this forum on this subject by people much more knowledgeable than me.

 

[hilldweller]

If I buy a motor home with a weight of 3499kg,

I hope you're not confused by the plate that says 3500 as the maximum, which is common, with the unloaded weigh significantly less.

Otherwise I've seen figures like £1200 to buy a C1 licence.

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[pappajohn]

If I buy a motor home with a weight of 3499kg, can I drive that? As with me and my stuff in it, it will be over 3500kg

Yes you can BUT..... The 3499kg is the gross weight of the van....the max weight of the van including You, any passenger and any kind of load carried. That includes things like tow bars, solar panels, extra batteries etc AND your personal belongings and food & water.
With your licence you are restricted to 3500kg total weight.

 

[chrispike306]

I looked at a motor home I liked and it said weight 3499. I'm still learning all this stuff so thank you for all your inputs! My options seem to be to either do a C1 test or find a lighter motor home!

 

[Minxy]

Hi Chris, welcome to the fun house!

Unfortunately you can ONLY drive a vehicle up to 3500kg on your current licence but can tow a trailer* I believe up to 750kg (*although double check to be safe).

Its not only the overall weight you have to watch for but the individual axle weights so even if you can keep below 3500kg if you overload an axle you are still illegal.

What sort of MH are you looking for?

 

[Phill D]

I looked at a motor home I liked and it said weight 3499. I'm still learning all this stuff so thank you for all your inputs! My options seem to be to either do a C1 test or find a lighter motor home!

hello Chris,
are you sure the quoted weight is the motorhome empty or is that the quoted max weight which is often the weight quoted as it then in theory increases the sell ability to include no C1.

 

[chrispike306]

Hi Chris, welcome to the fun house!

Unfortunately you can ONLY drive a vehicle up to 3500kg on your current licence but can tow a trailer* I believe up to 750kg (*although double check to be safe).

Its not only the overall weight you have to watch for but the individual axle weights so even if you can keep below 3500kg if you overload an axle you are still illegal.

What sort of MH are you looking for?

I would REALLY like a fixed rear bedroom, preferably something that you don't have to climb into.

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[The Wino]

I would REALLY like a fixed rear bedroom, preferably something that you don't have to climb into.

That tends to make it end up being a biggish heavyish motorhome. If you want to keep the weight down look at some of the electric drop down beds.
To give you some idea ours is a Chausson Flash 10 try googling its not a current model but will give you an idea.

 

[Gellyneck]

As Minxy says could the OP tow a trailer up to 750kg on the back of the motorhome (assuming the motorhome is at a max of 3500kg)?

 

[The Wino]

As Minxy says could the OP tow a trailer up to 750kg on the back of the motorhome (assuming the motorhome is at a max of 3500kg)?

Yes but only if it has a towbar which will require the removal of other stuff to counteract the weight increase and then they will have reduced speed limit to comply to.

 

[Emmit]

I looked at a motor home I liked and it said weight 3499. I'm still learning all this stuff so thank you for all your inputs! My options seem to be to either do a C1 test or find a lighter motor home!

Hi,
I can understand your apparent confusion.
You are trying to get to grips with acronyms such as MAM and MTPLM. in addition to phrases such as plated weights.
Lets keep it simple.
Unless you took a test before the 1st Jan. 1997 you are limited by weight as to what you can drive.
If we're talking about Motorhomes AND Panel Van Conversions and you are a Post 1/1/1997 driver you are limited to driving a 'Van (for brevity) that has a weight less than 3500kgs. That weight is the most that the vehicle can be. That weight includes everything in, on and on top of the vehicle.
That weight is sometimes called MAM which stands for Maximum Authorised Mass. It can also be described as MTLPLM which stands for Maximum Technically Permitted Laden Mass.
Without going into detail, they mean the same thing. The vehicles Gross Vehicle Weight (That's another acronym as well, ie GVW)
So, now you know what you can drive, you've seen adverts with 3499 Kgs re a 'van. That will probably be a dealer trying, as best as he/she can, NOT to confuse the issue. They are pointing out that the 'van in question is UNDER 3500Kgs and therefore, in law, suitable for a person like yourself, a post 1/1/97 driver to use.
You can confirm this when you go look at it. Usually, under the bonnet (it has been known to be put in other places, ask! there is a 'PLATE' It gives the Max Weight for each of the Axles and the MAM or MTPLM in Kgs. Beware!!! That plate might have been superseded by a previous owner legally 'Upping' the MAM in order to carry more 'Stuff' (Technical Term) If that is the case there will be another Plate close by or it has been known for for the New Plate to be put on the Drivers Door Jamb.
Finally, the MAM or MTPLM of the 'van is displayed on the V% (Logbook) Before spending your cash, insist on seeing that Document. It will confirm the weight that is under the bonnet. If it isn't Beware.

I note your next message will be No.4 of an allowable 5. Could I suggest you spend £15 and become a Full member of Fun. You will receive all the help you need in avoiding making a costly mistake in buying the wrong 'van.

 

[tacr2man]

I looked at a motor home I liked and it said weight 3499. I'm still learning all this stuff so thank you for all your inputs! My options seem to be to either do a C1 test or find a lighter motor home!

You need to be more exact in your use of terms , weight 3499 is vague . Where was this figure , in the ad or on the VIN plate . You need to know unladen weight (ie ticket from weighbridge ) and what is on board when weighed . and also the Max plated weight (on the vin plate ).

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[aria]

I looked at a motor home I liked and it said weight 3499. I'm still learning all this stuff so thank you for all your inputs! My options seem to be to either do a C1 test or find a lighter motor home!

Consider the full C test also. If you have a manual car licence you can do the test in an auto truck and get full entitlement for auto and manual.

I started C1 lessons in a small lorry but switched to a big auto lorry. I found it much easier when the gear changes were taken out of the equation. The lessons were a bit more expensive but I passed first time, as did my wife. That made it very good value.

 

[rosalan]

I am not in any way trying to let you do something you should not do but..... Most of us may wittingly or unwittingly have driven their motorhomes, over the permitted weight which you should not do. However, getting your van weighed every time you travel may be offset against how often the authorities check van weights. Filling or not filling the water tank which could vary by more than 120kg, the fuel tank when full also adds weight. To then have two or more people travelling with you, a spare wheel, two bikes and and tenting equipment can push you outside the permitted weight limit. Several vans show a maximum of 150kg in the boot (or garage) which is quickly reached.
If you should be stopped and overweight, although you may be fined, emptying the water tank can sometimes get you out of trouble, or transferring some of the heavier items to the front of the van may relieve the excess weight at the rear to allow you to travel on.
Almost always, vans are advertised showing their maximum permitted weight, what you want to know is their payload which was the difference between the van as it left the factory with normal loaded items and driver and its maximum permitted weight.