MTPLM upgrade

That does sound correct if these both refer to the vehicle MTPLM. I would contact Swift to determine which plate is wrong.

A van can easily have an axle plate that is noticeably higher than the vehicle MTPLM, but do not take it as given that you can re-plate the vehicle body to match. I was under the impression that the vehicle model [not specifically your actual van] must have been tested at this higher rating at some stage.

I came across this issue when Hymer would not re-plate my van to match a far higher axle plate. They would only meet me part way as at some time my model had been tested and offered with a slightly higher MTPLM than I had.

Colin

It is not really uprating at all.  It is reversing the downrating that has been done to make the model more attractive to people with small tow vehicles or in some cases restricted licences.

The uprated value for my caravan is 1800kg, but each axle is rated at 1000kg and the wheels at far more.

Apologies That should be:-

That does NOT sound correct......

Navigiteur,

two 1000kg axle and a 1800kg MTPLM to me sounds safe and correct as you have a 10% safety margin. Then again I do get a bee in my bonnet about the paltry and dangerously low payloads of vans that owners easily exceed.

Colin

Thanks for comments so far.  I have emailed Swift for an answer but can expect a long wait for a reply due to the current "unprecedented times".

Agree with you Navigateur, my intention is to reverse the downrating to the 'lower limit' of 1701kg and restore it to the caravan's 'upper limit' of 1750kg.  Need a little more than the miserly 156kg payload allowance at the lower MTPLM. 

I was reading a review of the 'top of the range' Coachman twin axle van. MPTLM 2000Kg. Payload a paltry 160Kg. Seems pretty pathetic for a flagship model.

The 'weight plate' by the entrance door is not an official plate at all, but a label for consumer information displaying a weight that is calculated on the basis of a formula created for marketing purposes by the NCC. The plate in the locker is the legal maximum technically permissible laden mass. The label by the door could just as well be removed without getting into conflict with the law.

Is the twin plate thing a UK only practice or is it across Europe. I take it as being a fairly recent, ie last ten years, innovation.

My previous Eriba had a plate next to the door and none in the locker. They now have none next to the door but one in the locker.

Colin

Thanks for this Lutz.  Is there an official, or industry, document that I could refer to that makes clear which plate carries precedence?

I have also been told by Knaus (in writing) that the data plate by the door was put there after persuasion by both the NCC and this Club on the basis that 'it would be useful' for customers - no other reason. The 'real' plate is in the gas locker.  If it's any consolation, the data plate next to my van door shows the tyres pressures as being 65psi when, in reality, they should be 43psi. That little error (and I'm not the only one) has just cost Knaus a new set of tyres. Incidentally - no mention of tyre pressures on the weight plate in the gas locker.

Added to which, I have it on very good authority by someone who occasionally posts on here, that there is a weight plate on each axle which shows a maximum loading of not 1000kg per axle but 1300kg per axle - so I am more than happy with the stated 365kg payload.

Blimey you never stop finding contradictions with caravanning, so now something new to ponder. I upgraded my twin from 1700 to 1800kg and I could have gone to 2000kg. However, my car Mass in Service is 1906kg. I upgraded mainly to accommodate my all wheel mover 60kg which would come off my payload.