Weigh bridge blues

It is not how rigided members are that matters, but how rigid the VOSA and their equivalent elswhere might be.

It is not a good idear to exceed the MPTLM,,how much is the diference between the other weight (MRO) second cylinder ,batt,motor mover etc eat into the weight

You exceed that figure and if problems arise you will be looking for trouble. What is your van to car ratio? 

I have caravanned for 30 years and never got anywhere near the MTPLM even when my children were with us. I weigh the van every year before we go abroad, I know I'm not going to be near my limit but I just do it for the paperwork in case of problems with the police. You need to look at what you have in the van in more detail. You can contact Swift and ask them to upgrade the weight, you will have to pay for that but it will give you more on your upper weight limit, generally about 50 kilos

Have you got a motor mover fitted if so that eats into your allowance 

I bet most would be surprised if they put the caravan on a weighbridge.

A lot going to Cornwall each summer certainly are when they get pulled over for a weight check.

It might be worth checking the van empty as some can be well over the MIRO. The manufacturers say + or - 10% is their variation on this.

You could be invalidating your insurance as well as risking a blow out.

peedee

You could be invalidating your insurance as well as risking a blow out.

peedee

 Thanks for that, although I was concerned about the axle and wheel bearing I never gave a thought to the tyre pressures.

   Actually its going well with weight  reduction, it's amazing the things you forget you have which are really heavy ,one such is the table in the little hideaway in the bathroom at 7.5 klg. Also two Duvalays at 11.6Klg which can go in the car of course.  We will get there of that I have no doubt, thanks for the comments each.

a timely reminder (NEC looming) that caravans and motorhomes are not removal vans for stuffing endless kit in them....most are already stuffed with the endless kit we demand of the suppliers....cookers, large fridge/freezers etc.

so, when we collect them, theyre already moving towards their maximum weight, despite us seeing all that open space...for more stuff...

most caravans have small payloads and most MH on 3500kg will also be struggling as soon as more than two people want to use them...remember, no tow car to carry all the heavy stuff....

...and any MH with a large overhang (certainly at 7m total length or more) will be impacting on the max weight of the rear axle....

so, caravan or MH, weigh, weigh and weigh again....preferably before you sign on the dotted line.....

your license.

We keep having these same discussions, but hardly suprising as new members struggle to get their heads round the ambiguities, or experienced members look for new vans or new tow cars.

I went into it with a fine tooth comb when looking for our new van and was quite shocked with what I found,

Marketing driven, low MIRO and standard MTPLM's resulting in paltry payloads, stabilisers and spare wheels claimed as "options" so coming out of your already paltry payload. Then take off the weight of your 110a leisure battery and motor mover and you are left with next to nothing.

The remaining payload is then less than a theoretical +10% on the ex works MIRO, leaving you with nothing.

The good news is Bailey at least, appear spot on with thier predicted MIRO (mine was spot on), and you can pay/or negotiate for a plate upgrade if your towcar and licence can accomodate.

But the big moral of the story, is everyone should weigh their outfits and understand what every bit of their kit weighs and the effect it has on their payload. Do you really need a trolley jack, a full tool kit and an electric drill? Oh, of course you do, you have a Land Rover. 

a timely reminder (NEC looming) that caravans and motorhomes are not removal vans for stuffing endless kit in them....most are already stuffed with the endless kit we demand of the suppliers....cookers, large fridge/freezers etc.

so, when we collect them, theyre already moving towards their maximum weight, despite us seeing all that open space...for more stuff...

most caravans have small payloads and most MH on 3500kg will also be struggling as soon as more than two people want to use them...remember, no tow car to carry all the heavy stuff....

...and any MH with a large overhang (certainly at 7m total length or more) will be impacting on the max weight of the rear axle....

so, caravan or MH, weigh, weigh and weigh again....preferably before you sign on the dotted line.....

your license.

Weighed our MH for the first time just before we set off for our recent holiday in France and was delighted to find that fully loaded, full fuel tank, 20ltrs in the fresh water and the two of us on board we were 80kgs under the max.  With the garage stuffed I had been worried about the rear axle weight, but our Fiat chassis has been plated down to 3.5t so the original (generous) axle weights still apply.