60kg PAYLOAD

Perhaps thats how SV Tech work their magic, by giving a GVW = to that of the combined axles. As already stated, the GVW is usually not as high as just adding axle max weights.
 
My Peugeot Boxer based ALKO chassis motorhome has 3 VIN plates. All have allowances on each axle.

1, Peugeot Plate GVW 3500kg, GTW 5500kg, Axle 1 1850kg, Axle 2 2120kg.

2, ALKO Plate GVW 3850kg, GTW 5500kg, Axle 1 1850kg, Axle 2 2120kg.

3, Sv Tech Plate GVW 4100kg, GTW 5500, Axle 1 1850kg, Axle 2 2300kg.
 
How are they getting away with it?

I'll ask again:-

Surely the issue here is not how do I make what I have bought fit for purpose.

Assuming Mickeys' van is not a one off, where did the advertised payload of 400kg come from?
Do they build one just for the scales so they can say 400kg?
Or do they just grab a figure from thin air.

Anyone?
 
Tim120 said:
I'll ask again:-

Surely the issue here is not how do I make what I have bought fit for purpose.

Assuming Mickeys' van is not a one off, where did the advertised payload of 400kg come from?
Do they build one just for the scales so they can say 400kg?
Or do they just grab a figure from thin air.

Anyone?
Click to expand...

Mickeys' van is certainly not a one off.I stated earlier in this thread that in my opinion the majority of motorhomes plated at 3500kg MGVW and around 7m long(and shorter)are overweight and driving illegally on the road.

My suspicions are confirmed by this article......Motorhome payload - Practical Advice - New & Used Motorhome & Campervan Reviews - Out and About Live
Have a read and see how the manufacturers calculate the payload.

The only accurate way to ensure you are legal is to load the van as you would for a holiday with water,fuel and gas tanks full and everyone on board including pets,then check you are below the MGVW.Dealers seem to be unconcerned and quite flippant about this widespread problem,what they don't realise is you could be prosecuted and the insurance invalidated in the event of a claim.
 
Tim120 said:
I'll ask again:-

Surely the issue here is not how do I make what I have bought fit for purpose.

Assuming Mickeys' van is not a one off, where did the advertised payload of 400kg come from?
Do they build one just for the scales so they can say 400kg?
Or do they just grab a figure from thin air.

Anyone?
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that it comes down to 'Their' interpretation of Payload !.
Dry Water Tank.
Dry Grey Tank.
Dry Black Tank.
A Gallon of Fuel.
No Gas.
Empty Cupboards.
Absolutely Nothing aboard.
& No One aboard.
Maybe !.

Don't know !.
 
***** said:
Steve, the link you post is well out dated, it shows the 90% fuel and water etc.
Most manufactures now use 20 litres of water and have probably reduced other things!
The link was made in 2013!
They are massaging the figures and new M.H owners have no idea!
My advice before buying is to weigh an empty van and work from there!
Click to expand...

Which makes the problem even worse Graham.

I think we are agreed that this is a widespread problem throughout the motorhome industry,my advice is to do as the OP did and load the van in full touring trim then take it to a weighbridge.It is the only accurate and reliable way to check if you are legal or not.Another bit of advice for what it's worth is to take the dealers' claims regarding payload with the proverbial pinch of salt.
 
Motorhomes are not the only ones over weight. I was talking to someone who was at Blenheim horse trials (or something of that ilk) 600 horse trailers - about 400 were pulled in and fined because they were overweight. One make of three horse trailer is now classed as 2 horses and a pony!!!

If we hadn't liked our new MH so much and the fact we got it at a very good price, we would have rejected ours as not fit for purpose. We bit the bullet and paid to uprate to maximum permissible of 3850. SAP have sorted it, paperwork and VIN plate. Great firm to deal with. Personally I think it's only a matter of time before this s..t hits the fan.

I would be interested to know how much some of these 3500 vehicles weigh straight from the showroom.

Gross weight is supposed to include driver and 3/4 tank of derv - when we went to fill our tank, it took about 2/3 of what the burstner took to fill - smaller tank less to include in gross weight.
 
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Don't blame the dealers or the manufacturers, it's a case of US wanting the impossible dream.
All the luxury and a huge payload within the restrictions of UK law as regards gross vehicle weights and licence restrictions.
Will these change aprés ******?
Don't hold your breath on that one folks.
Take the driver's cpc as an example
 
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I think we are agreed that this is a widespread problem throughout the motorhome industry,my advice is to do as the OP did and load the van in full touring trim then take it to a weighbridge.It is the only accurate and reliable way to check if you are legal or not.Another bit of advice for what it's worth is to take the dealers' claims regarding payload with the proverbial pinch of salt.
Click to expand...

Mickeys van was not all packed and ready to go in full touring trim. It was weighed with mickey 62Kg in it and nothing else and came in at 3440kg leaving 60Kg payload. The information regarding payload came from the manufacturer and was stated as 400Kg.
 
jennyp19 said:
Motorhomes are not the only ones over weight. I was talking to someone who was at Blenheim horse trials (or something of that ilk) 600 horse trailers - about 400 were pulled in and fined because they were overweight. One make of three horse trailer is now classed as 2 horses and a pony!!!

If we hadn't liked our new MH so much and the fact we got it at a very good price, we would have rejected ours as not fit for purpose. We bit the bullet and paid to uprate to maximum permissible of 3850. SAP have sorted it, paperwork and VIN plate. Great firm to deal with. Personally I think it's only a matter of time before this s..t hits the fan.

I would be interested to know how much some of these 3500 vehicles weigh straight from the showroom.

Gross weight is supposed to include driver and 3/4 tank of derv - when we went to fill our tank, it took about 2/3 of what the burstner took to fill - smaller tank less to include in gross weight.
Click to expand...
Not at all, gross weight is the weight that the vehicle and contents are at the moment.
As opposed to in the past or in the future.
Ie, when you are hooked into the weighbridge by the wasps and actually weighed.
 
Some manufacturers get it right. Weighted mine on the way home from dealer on the day I bought it, weight by Burstner quoted at 4410kg, actual weight 4395kg pretty close.

Since uprated it to 5300kg.

Also if you build a van a on the Burstner website with extras it adds the weight up as you go, not seen any other manufacturer do this but some probably do.
 
phillybarbour said:
Some manufacturers get it right. Weighted mine on the way home from dealer on the day I bought it, weight by Burstner quoted at 4410kg, actual weight 4395kg pretty close.

Since uprated it to 5300kg.

Also if you build a van a on the Burstner website with extras it adds the weight up as you go, not seen any other manufacturer do this but some probably do.
Click to expand...

I don't think that manufacturers have a problem with heavier vans.It's the 3500kg weight limit that is the main problem,in their quest to keep below this magic figure for licensing and road restrictions they are bending the truth somewhat.
 
My Chausoon is 350 and weighed it when newish was just over and again this year it's 385 working on removing things ;)
What extras where on yours I would seriously contact Giles Arnaud about that he deals with problems for the whole company !!!
garnaud@triango.fr
 
When/if you're ever in the queue at the DVLA weighbridge pull the plug on the water tank and get any passengers to do a runner.
 
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