Lunar Roadstar 726 and Bailey Approach 760SE Payloads

barryd

barryd

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I am sure I have been here before but here goes. I am looking at a Lunar Roadstar 726, 2008 van 3 litre. Its this one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...rhomes&postcode=dl117hh&price-from=500&page=1

Been sending emails backwards and forwards to the dealer but the info has dried up since I asked if it would be possible to get it weighed. I need to put a scooter rack on it and our Honda vision 110. As Lunar no longer make motorhomes I can find no real specs for it anywhere. I do have the plate readings below though that were checked today. I did find a review on OAL but I dont think its that exact model


4000kg Gross vehicle weight
5500kg gross train weight
1 2100kg front axle load
2 2400kg rear axle load.


I have a feeling its payload is around 625KG or 670kg but I dont remember where I got that figure from. I think I looked at them a couple of years ago or so.

I Also found another one with a rack fitted but of course that does not mean its legal.

Anyone know? Anyone had one and had it weighed?

Its the long wheel base Alko chassis so ideal for a rack as long as its got plenty of payload left on the rear.

Other contender is a Bailey Approach SE 760 which I know from reading a post on OAL someone has put a rack on and scooter within the limits. Same chassis by the looks of it but the flaming thing is too wide for my drive. Maybe not a deal breaker. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...0&berth=6&postcode=dl117hh&make=BAILEY&page=2​
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Afraid I can't help with your weight query but I did look at the photos out of curiosity because I have an 08 plate Lunar Champ 630 (7m long). Something I did notice is that the vehicle in the photo is a 55 plate. Might be worth checking out that discrepancy. Also, like mine, the forward facing seats on the front dinette are belted so there are four belted seats, not two as written in the ad.
 
The photos are of a x250 so unlikely to be 55 plate but anyway that's the model to research.
It's already got a 2.4T rear axle so you may be able to carry a scooter on the back without overloading the rear axle.
However you could factor in a couple of grand for air assist and uprating.
I used John Ruffles as he's cheaper and is happy to increase Alko axle unlike the market leader.
In any event he will do a paper exercise to combine the existing axle ratings to increase the gross weight.
It will be the back axle that's the problem.
With the scooter at 100kg and a decent frame likely to be another 50kg you'll be putting at least 200kg on it when you take the overhang into account.
Looks like a nice van anyway - ring the dealer and press them for actual weights?
 
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Never noticed the 55 plate but your right. I believe the dealer is acting as a broker for a private seller with that one. Wonder what the story is with the plate then.

I guess it depends on whats free on the rear axle. When I did the maths for my Kontiki 640 way back in 2008 I think I had either 250 or 300kg left on the rear after visiting the weighbridge. After doing the sums I worked out I had enough for a 100kg scooter and 30kg rack accounting for the distance from the centre of the rear wheel to the back of the van. Once the rack was fitted I got it weighed again with the bike on and I was about right. I reckon the distance looks about the same on that van and the Bailey so the all important question is what does the rear axle weigh? Anything below 2100kg should be good. If the dealer does not want to play ball Ill just find one (eventually) that will. Ive been hunting for a newer van for years!
 
A broker? If so why the second picture specifically saying not broker?
I suppose you could get the rack made in ally to keep the weight down.
My van had a 'double' tow bar to cover the folded bike rack and it weighed 55kg!!
Try the dealer on a new MoT and ask for a report on axles weights from test station - should be near enough.
 
Markd said:
A broker? If so why the second picture specifically saying not broker?
I suppose you could get the rack made in ally to keep the weight down.
My van had a 'double' tow bar to cover the folded bike rack and it weighed 55kg!!
Try the dealer on a new MoT and ask for a report on axles weights from test station - should be near enough.
Click to expand...

I dunno but they made out they were selling on behalf of a customer but their advert boasts about the advantage's of going through a dealer. Mot suggestion is a good one. I'm just a bit put off that there was no commitment to take it to a weighbridge. I would only expect that once a potential deal had been struck. They just can't be arsed with people who know what they are talking about I reckon. I called one from motorhome depot the other day and I asked what chassis the van was on and if they knew the weights and payload and I £$%^ you not he said "how would I find that out?" :D
 
Depending on how keen you are on this van you could go see and take a wheel weigher.
There was a thread on them here recently.
It would be an investment for any prospective purchase as most dealers are reluctant to weigh vans presumably because so many have next to no payload after all the extras we fit.
Unfortunately the 1500kg version is a good more expensive than the 1000kg version @£200.
Dealers ought to have them so they could answer experienced buyer queries.
 
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barryd said:
Never noticed the 55 plate but your right. I believe the dealer is acting as a broker for a private seller with that one. Wonder what the story is with the plate then.
Click to expand...

The plate probably won't come with van as it spells BO55 SOG by the looks of it.
 
Barry
I may well be wrong but I have to ask whether the current Lunar company is completely different to the firm that made this van?
If not they should be able to provide accurate details of the 726 van in general or even in particular if you can get the vin no.
Incidentally RBW website suggests it's got a 4250kg gvw
 
Markd said:
Barry
I may well be wrong but I have to ask whether the current Lunar company is completely different to the firm that made this van?
If not they should be able to provide accurate details of the 726 van in general or even in particular if you can get the vin no.
Incidentally RBW website suggests it's got a 4250kg gvw
Click to expand...

The ad says 4250kg but the info the dealer gave me when she went and looked at the plate was 4000kg.

Lunar don't make motorhomes anymore which might also be a concern but they still do caravans so I contacted them yesterday.

I even Googled yesterday to see if you could hire a portable weigher. :D

To be honest I've never seen one of these in the flesh but this is the first one that's come up that's less than a hundred miles away. I'm not in a rush so will just keep looking. One day I might find an accommodating dealer or maybe a private seller. Cash waiting for the right van and seller
 
I wouldn't hold my breath for a dealer helping out.
A private seller might actually know what the running weights are.
My gut reaction is that plated with 2.1T on front and 2.4 on rear should do what you want.
As you say if there's oneloser you could have a look to see if you like the layout and can get a better idea of weights.

Lunar should be able to provide some background- only 11 years old.
 
I thought the reg was BO55 SOG too, but, if you try to check the MOT history, that number is unrecognised.

I asked Lunar a question regarding a replacement hab. door key after I bought my 08 Lunar Champ in 2015. They were very polite but were unable to help as they had sub contracted build to a Belgian company (unspecified) who are now extinct. BTW I was able to source a key via another route.

There may be an innocent explanation but the inconsistencies in that ad would make me walk away.
 
I wouldn't necessarily walk away but I wouldn't drive an enormous distance to see it.
The price has been reduced so they may have had it a while.
 
OK - you may already know this but 726 would seem to be on Maxi 40 chassis and the 3L engine should give it enough grunt for the weight it can go up to.

One here for reference

Used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for Sale | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for sale ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.
www.gumtree.com www.gumtree.com

It seems to have a double scooter rack or is that the ramp?
 
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Well that's that then! And will probably explain the lack of response!
Looks like they were the firm as I suspected but the article is a bit strange saying Roadstar introduced in 2016.
No production people left and probably very disillusioned admin so unlikely to get much help.
On the other hand anybody left won't have much to do so may be prepared to spend time looking up details.
Was that a semi offer to call in and ask?
 
Markd said:
OK - you may already know this but 726 would seem to be on Maxi 40 chassis and the 3L engine should give it enough grunt for the weight it can go up to.

One here for reference

Used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for Sale | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for sale ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.
www.gumtree.com www.gumtree.com

It seems to have a double scooter rack or is that the ramp?
Click to expand...

Cheers. I found that one the other day and emailed the Motorhome Depot agent and got a reply this morning. He wanted to know if I Was interested in buying the van or just fishing for information from the owner as to the weights and rack. :D I send a lengthy reply this morning honestly answering that it was both.

That one is down near Liverpool. The fact that it has a scooter rack on it is encouraging but it does not mean its legal so I have asked him to ask the owner if he went through the weighbridge palaver and if he can provide proof of the results, if not I would require a weighbridge visit as a condition of sale. See if he responds. They are asking an extra £500 for the rack on that one which I think is a bit cheeky as I think for a 2007 its a little over priced anyway. All negotiable of course. I do like a bit of haggle.

I would have no problem belting down to Liverpool or anywhere really but not until I have answers to a lot of questions and a seller prepared to weigh the van or provide a weighbridge ticket. I cant be the only person asking this sort of thing surely.
 
I'm afraid that there are probably an awful lot of illegal vans - most are probably ignorance with some taking a chance.
Dealers and brokers presumably just don't ask don't check and move vans on knowing that they're probably iffy as they all issue big disclaimers about weights.
I would certainly insist on weights if I was to buy again. I did on mine asking then to report back from MoT but of course they didn't.
I've just spent £2.6k or air assist and heavy duty coils (in me mounts and shockers) so I now have a legal van with spare capacity.
 
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