Swift MH weights

It's about time manufacturers and sales persons started coming clean on this. Journalists could also be more forthright when mentioning payloads and the clubs could play a part too. There needs to be far more emphasis on this.
It is still possible for a couple to enjoy a 3500kg MH but care is needed in selecting the right size and layout. This is where the sales persons guidance should come into play and also when extras are being considered. Even metalic paint adds weight and have you ever picked up those desireable Milenco Quattro levelling blocks?
I don't believe that any 4 or 6 berth MHs can be operated, as intended, at 3500kg and would be pushing it at 3700kg. The rear axle load on a 3500kg van is the same as a 3700kg van and that is the limiting factor.

If a manufacturer produced a car that was incapable under normal circumstances of being driven at 30mph in a city there would be an outrage. Yet it appears to be acceptable to produce a motorhome which realistically cannot be fully utilised within its weight limit. 

A large van which carries several people has the propensity to go over a 3500kg limit very easily,  especially if there are many options fitted, the water tanks are full and/or there is a lot of extra equipment carried. 

It seems to me that there is a lack of transparency here. To an extent the salespersons  don't know and/or don't care and some manufactures manipulate specifications to produce a vehicle which on paper is fine but in the real world cannot deliver the dream which slick advertising promises. 

The problem will get worse as the current breed of C1 drivers die off or reach 70,  less drivers have suitable towing qualifications, and the size and complexity of motorhomes and the weight their base vehicles all increase.

I do think the Club could do a valuable service to their members here by :-

1. Being bluntly critical about real world weight limitations in quoted test drives. I appreciate that these are to an extent bought in rewrites but there is no excuse for misleading by omission.

2. In its handouts and web guidance give much better info on how weight limits are calculated and highlight the pitfalls. 

The real answer is to allow heavier weights to be driven on the B licence. I think I read in the latest Club magazine that once again there were moves afoot to increase the weight limit of the B licence to 4225Kgms. I consider most 3.5 ton C and A class motorhomes to be impractical.

peedee

For the older generation there would still be the issue of 70, unless that age limit was raised. Which given that pensionable age is gradually increasing, as folk live and have to work longer, would not be unreasonable.

TBH Steve, it's not unreasonable to ask someone over 70 driving a large (possibly over 4 tons) vehicle to have a medical to prove they are fit to be driving it.......

To be sure I need to revisit the weighbridge but that isn't easy in my area but will make the effort at some point.

I have the same issue PG, there are not many weighbridges in Essex and especially around Colchester where I live.  Which one do you use?

Hi MichaelT, I live near Colchester too. I used the weighbridge at Gladwell haulage company which is on the old A12 at Copdock nr Ipswich. It's not too far off route if travelling that way. Drive on halfway to weigh front axle then pull forward to weigh whole MH. The rear axle is calculated from the two readings.