Rear Axle Weight Limit Increase

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Robster100

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Hi

My first motorhome (used), which I collected about a week before lockdown, is rated at 3840Kg, which I hope will give me a good payload but I do note from some comments that I have seen on this and other message boards, that the rear axle limit is still the same 2000Kg as it would have been at its standard rating of 3500Kg.

I have loaded the garage with most of the things I will want to take and am planning a trip to a weigh bridge shortly to see what spare payload I have for food and clothes but more importantly, how close I am to the 2000Kg limit on the rear axle.

If I am at, or even close to the 2000Kg limit what are my options, what is the cheapest way to uprate the rear axle limit, is this even possible?

If it is possible to uprate, what kind of price am I looking at, I am NOT a DIYer!

Many thanks for the help.
 
Makes me wonder how it got to 3850 in the first place without anything being done, very difficult to load the front end.

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Mikeco said:
Makes me wonder how it got to 3850 in the first place without anything being done, very difficult to load the front end.
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Rear axle 2000kg
Front axle 1850kg
Gross 3500kg

Its probably been registered at its max axle weights instead of gross weight by a 'not a clue' dealer
 
Tyres will only need changing if you have 15" wheels, 16" wheels normally have tyres with adequate load rating, still need to check to make sure.

Also have you checked the maximum weight your garage can carry it can be between 150kg up to 450 kg, if 150 not much point in uprating the axle.
 
Have a look at Weighbridge Payloads thread. I have just been to the far end of this with our Adria Coral 670sl on a Ducato chassis.
If you want to increase your rear axle weight limit you need to use air support sytem as a minimum. You will also need to look at your wheels and tyres as these form part of the calculation for uprating the plate.
Hope that this helps. Good luck.

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I write as I understand it but could be wrong.
SVTec told me I was overweight on the rear but as I had air suspension, if I changed my rear tyres (15") to a higher weight rating, I would be fine (my present weight was 3850kg. I changed the tyres and I believe they said that for a set fee, they could then increase my maximum rear axle weight.
I did not pay and still remain confused about the whole thing.
 
rosalan said:
I write as I understand it but could be wrong.
SVTec told me I was overweight on the rear but as I had air suspension, if I changed my rear tyres (15") to a higher weight rating, I would be fine (my present weight was 3850kg. I changed the tyres and I believe they said that for a set fee, they could then increase my maximum rear axle weight.
I did not pay and still remain confused about the whole thing.
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Regardless of the fact you have air suspension fitted and the up rated tyres making it physically able to handle the weight, if you are stopped and checked you will be fined if your plate says 2000kg and your actual weight is higher as SV said it is.
SV Tech charge too much and the other bloke is unreliable but there’s little point having the mods done if you don’t get it changed.
 
V5 and the plate both state maximum weight as 3850Kg from new.

it is a Burstner Ixeo Time Sovereign 745 on a Ducato chassis, and there I think I have exhausted my knowledge!

someone mentioned a garage weight limit, not heard this before, where in the paperwork would I find this, would it be on the V5?
 
Just double checked VIN plate

5700KG Train Weight Max
3850Kg Max vehicle weight

1850Kg Max front axle and 2000Kg max rear axle

Robin
 
Robster100 said:
Just double checked VIN plate

5700KG Train Weight Max
3850Kg Max vehicle weight

1850Kg Max front axle and 2000Kg max rear axle

Robin
Click to expand...
Fine balancing act there to achieve your maximum weight.

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I'm guessing on this but don't some manufacturers allow a new customer to have a plate as per the OP.
ie money for nothing.
You pay the dealer X and for that they equip the 'van with tyres no different to a 3500Kgs van but install a plate as per what SV Tech would have done saying 3850Kgs..
 
Robster100 said:
V5 and the plate both state maximum weight as 3850Kg from new.

it is a Burstner Ixeo Time Sovereign 745 on a Ducato chassis, and there I think I have exhausted my knowledge!

someone mentioned a garage weight limit, not heard this before, where in the paperwork would I find this, would it be on the V5?
Click to expand...
A sticker in the garage or in the handbook.
 
If the chassis is maxed out at 3850 SVTech will probably be able to uprate your rear axle to 2200 with additional hardware, but you will still be limited to 3850 total.
 
Robster100 said:
V5 and the plate both state maximum weight as 3850Kg from new.

it is a Burstner Ixeo Time Sovereign 745 on a Ducato chassis, and there I think I have exhausted my knowledge!

someone mentioned a garage weight limit, not heard this before, where in the paperwork would I find this, would it be on the V5?
Click to expand...


The maximum weight in the garage should be 200 kgs if I read this user manual correctly - Page 26

<Broken link removed>

"The maximum permitted load of the rear garage/the rear storage space is 200 kg. Do not exceed the permissible rear axle load."

But what an confusing user manual :(
 
3850 is fine, just worried about her axle as most of the stowage is at the back plus I intend to fit a towbar!

Right, really need to get down to weigh bridge and see exactly where I stand.

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Robster100 said:
3850 is fine, just worried about her axle as most of the stowage is at the back plus I intend to fit a towbar!

Right, really need to get down to weigh bridge and see exactly where I stand.
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We had ours done (tyres+air assist) because our rear axle came in at 1970kg, too close for comfort to the max 2000kg. It was only after fitting the air assist that we realised the suspension had been at its max most of the time, seemed odd to have the sensation of the rear axle working properly.
 
When loading your garage, and if possible, put the heavier items as close as possible towards the 'front' of the garage.
The further back and away from the rear axle there is an increase in the weight imposed on that axle.
 
G-RMPS said:
If the chassis is maxed out at 3850 SVTech will probably be able to uprate your rear axle to 2200 with additional hardware, but you will still be limited to 3850 total.
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Why?

If the back axle is uprated to 2200 and the front axle is 1850 then the vehicle is clearly capable of carrying 4050.

We up-plated (using SV Tech) our rear axle and the GVW was increased by the same amount.

Ian
 
Mikeco said:
Makes me wonder how it got to 3850 in the first place without anything being done, very difficult to load the front end.
Click to expand...
Wine.
Wine always goes in the front.
Load it up with wine at the front and there is more weight available at the rear for other unimportant things.

I would also suggest buying a Reich weighing machine instead of keep going to the weighbridge. You can then weigh it at your leisure for £150 and load the van accordingly and getting the maximum amount of wine into your van.
 
Hmmm, I actually do have a Reich weighing machine, but I have a gravel drive and live on a small lane, so cannot use it anywhere near home, plus it is such a bugger to use.

Bought it for my caravan, but in the end preferred weigh bridge, as not only simpler but I have printed proof I have at least checked the weights!

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bigtwin said:
Why?

If the back axle is uprated to 2200 and the front axle is 1850 then the vehicle is clearly capable of carrying 4050.

We up-plated (using SV Tech) our rear axle and the GVW was increased by the same amount.

Ian
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Mine is plated with 2000 on front axle, 2000 on rear axle, but 3850 gross. I spoke to SV Tech as it is difficult to keep below 2000 on the rear axle. They told me the rear axle could be upgraded to 2200 but there could be no increase in the overall weight. That’s on an Alko light chassis.
 
G-RMPS said:
Mine is plated with 2000 on front axle, 2000 on rear axle, but 3850 gross. I spoke to SV Tech as it is difficult to keep below 2000 on the rear axle. They told me the rear axle could be upgraded to 2200 but there could be no increase in the overall weight. That’s on an Alko light chassis.
Click to expand...

Interesting. That limitation must be related to braking capability then? (rhetorical question) However, one presumes that the braking capability is sufficient for the Gross Train Weight. 🤔

Ian
 
Hettie's Crew said:
We had ours done (tyres+air assist) because our rear axle came in at 1970kg, too close for comfort to the max 2000kg. It was only after fitting the air assist that we realised the suspension had been at its max most of the time, seemed odd to have the sensation of the rear axle working properly.
Click to expand...
I ventured onto a weighbridge for the first time in this vehicle the other day. I had filled up with fuel and water and took the dog along. I was a bit embarrassed when it read 3660 for a 3.5 tonne van. Luckily it's works weighbridge, less than a mile from home. The rear axle is also 50kg over the max 2000.
And the other half was still at work! And there is no food or beer in it!

I've worked out the only way to be legal and carry water is to put bigger tyres and air assist suspension. With SV tech doing the paperwork it comes to over £1100 :(

I can save £500 by never carrying water but the rear axle will always be close to the limit.

I suggested we got a larger van, like a 5 tonner or something (I've got C+E).

We'll see how it goes....
 
Headrush if you only have c+e on your licence you will be limited to 3500kg you need c1 to drive a heavier van

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