Small payload

[Innkeeper]

Hi looking for our first motorhome. Please be truthful. What do you reckon on this van and this dealer.
Two things I have worked out,
This the has what must be the smallest payload 270 kg. Does this sound right. If so could I upgrade the payload, I have read on here that you can on some Van's or is there a next model up that has a bigger payload.
Secondly, it really has to be the furthest deal away from me possible lol
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[Allanm]

Can’t comment on the dealer but the payload is way too low if you want to put anything in the van while travelling.
It may be possible to upgrade the weight, assuming your driving licence will allow you to drive it.
If you are really interested ( have you viewed it yet?) the dealer may help you with upgrading if you ask. Most people use SVTech but there are others.

 

[Sucoz]

I’m a newbie to this so may misunderstand a few things, but the DVLA has this van listed as having a revenue weight of 3800kg, so I’m guessing this gives an extra 350 to your 270.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Hi looking for our first motorhome. Please be truthful. What do you reckon on this van and this dealer.
Two things I have worked out,
This the has what must be the smallest payload 270 kg. Does this sound right. If so could I upgrade the payload, I have read on here that you can on some Van's or is there a next model up that has a bigger payload.
Secondly, it really has to be the furthest deal away from me possible lol
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Do you have C1 entitlement on your license?

 

[138go]

You cannot just add 350kg to the weight. It is all about axle loading. You have to find out what the front axle can take and then the rear axle. Then get MH weighed and you will then know how much weight you can carry on each axle. Adding a passenger will add 75kg, filled with water 100lts = 100kg two electric bikes = 50kg. Putting weight behind the rear axle transfers weight from the front to back axle. All to do with levers. Last thing you want is to be overweight before you start. With 250kg payload it is probably not fit for purpose and someone buying it who does not have a C1 Licence they will be overweight with water,diesel and passengers.

Also remember that the manufacturers have tolerances so it may have left the factory overweight and awnings are not necessarily included.

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[suavecarve]

As per @QFour axles are important but not quite as important as having the actual licence.

If you are pre 97 passing your test then you are highly likely to have it.

Even then with 570 kgs it may not be enough as this depends upon whether it is weighed before the battery/awning/cyclerack/driver/water/solarpanel/extra battery/tv/diesel etc.

I would give him a ring and ask him what the weight of the vehicle is now, as it is, confirm the 3800 kgs, and ask if it can be uprated anymore, before I stepped foot outside of my door (presuming you have the C1)

Best of luck, it looks like a nice van to me

 

[CazPaul]

Wow, that's low mileage for a 2004 van, you need to check the engine thoroughly, a good engine if well looked after but can be troublesome with poor maintenance.

 

[Innkeeper]

Rung the dealer they said the payload was 570 kg. They mentioned another that had a payload of over 600kg. We have a weekend off coming up so may go and have a look. But now where really starting to look. What may a stupid question the beds above where the driver sits. Can you leave this made ie quilt and pillows on when you put it up. Also if you use it as a bed could you sit up and have a coffee in it in the morning

 

[Podney]

Well it’s a Rapido so that’s a good start
You really couldn’t find a dealer much further away,could you?! Some folk on here will tell you that it’s as important to pick the right dealer as the right van.........so if/when you have problems they can be sorted nearer to home.
Check servicing record carefully.
Have you got Jims Buyers Guide which is on here?
Sorry,can’t answer your questions about the bed...mines a coachbuit with a fixed bed at the rear.
Good luck.

 

[Podney]

Oh,ref payload,don’t believe what any dealer tells you. Ask for a test drive via a weighbridge. And see the numerous payload threads on here.

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[Innkeeper]

Nope dealers pretty far from us for now. When we buy a Motorhome our betting is it will be on a ferry and in Spain by Oct at the latest my betting is we will be there by Aug and spend as long as possible out there. So dont now how we will get on with any warranty they offer. Could the dealer take it to a weigh bridge and get like a ticket see as we may be driving a long way just to look

 

[Podney]

Nope dealers pretty far from us for now. When we buy a Motorhome our betting is it will be on a ferry and in Spain by Oct at the latest my betting is we will be there by Aug and spend as long as possible out there. So dont now how we will get on with any warranty they offer. Could the dealer take it to a weigh bridge and get like a ticket see as we may be driving a long way just to look

Well,you could ring them and ask. In any event,it would be a good idea to have a conversation with them about payload. Firstly,read the threads on here about payload,by then you’ll be approaching being an expert,but approach the dealer on the basis you are a worried newbie. Then,when they start spouting nonsense you will be able to ask some more probing questions.
Maybe you could visit some other dealers even down south. Johns Cross motorhomes have been recommended in the past,as have Becks,as have Pullingers.

 

[Innkeeper]

Is there a plate on a Motorhome with the info am after. Would it be on the v5. Maybe they could send a photo of this? And send me it.

 

[Podney]

Yes,but the plate doesn’t tell you the actual payload.
It will tell you the Maximum Gross vehicle weight,the maximum front axle weight,the maximum rear axle weight and the maximum train weight (max towing weight). Look at the payload threads on here,there are lots of them,so it can take up a lot of time,and you will soon get a feel for who is giving out accurate advice.

 

[tonyidle]

But now where really starting to look. What may a stupid question the beds above where the driver sits. Can you leave this made ie quilt and pillows on when you put it up. Also if you use it as a bed could you sit up and have a coffee in it in the morning

The bed can be left made up in every case I've experienced. The pillow(s) may need to be placed at the front. There's enough headroom to sit up in some vans but you need to check before purchase if it's important to you.

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[Lenny HB]

The drop down bed you leave made up and plenty of room for sitting up.

Payload is a nightmare, the payload the dealer is quoting will be from the book so IMO 600 kg will be tight.
I always reckon you need 7O0 kg.
200kg for fitted options & extras then 500 kg for your stuff.
Our last van had 600 kg we ended up uprating it as we were always over weight by 100 kg. As a couple we are light only around 120 kg for the 2 of us but we do like to run with full tanks.
As others have said axle weights are important last van we were always on the rear axle limit, the water tank being behind the axle didn't help.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Is there a plate on a Motorhome with the info am after. Would it be on the v5. Maybe they could send a photo of this? And send me it.

The reality is this;-
Get the dealer to take the vehicle to a weighbridge and weigh it without a driver in and with hardly any fuel and no water

Then you have a REAL base measurement

Then you (we) can compare to the plate

No good quoting from a brochure, weighing it is reality-today

 

[Lenny HB]

The reality is this;-
No good quoting from a brochure, weighing it is reality-today

A lot of vans leave the factory up to 150 kg over the brochure, weight there is a +/-5% tolerance on manufacturers quoted weight.